The Apostle Paul told about the characters of people that we would see in the last days. He urged us to turn away from those who live in ways of the last days.
He meant to separate ourselves from them and live independently. In last days, people live for gratifying their sinful desires showing the signs of death. He told us to stand firmly on the gospel so that the destructive signs won't be found in us.
The book of Revelation chapter 22 verse 10to 12 said, “Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time
is near. Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong, let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”
The Book of Revelation also warns us that when the end comes, people will do unrighteousness and live in wickedness, and no matter how much we urge them to change, they will not listen. Therefore, we are should let them be as they are. At the very least, make sure that we firmly hold on to the righteousness we have received.
In the last days, we must turn away from the sin and unrighteousness in uncompromising attitude. We may be criticized, persecuted, and isolated by others. But when we fully turn away from it, we can certainly remain in Jesus and protect ourselves.
Furthermore, this world shows things that the flesh desires and feed the flesh and please the flesh so that they can't refuse the things the flesh desires. But we can turn away from temptation of the world when we know about things belong to the kingdom of God and spiritual value and pursue them such as the grace given by Jesus who shed blood on the Cross, inheritance of being God's children, authority of name of Jesus, gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, the eternal life in Heaven that the world never gives.
God's grace is so precious. Only those who know the value give thanks to the one who shows favor and try to stay in His grace. Therefore, we must always realize the spiritual value and be able to own the godly blessing. Only those who know the blessing can turn away from the world resisting the temptation of the world.
Pastor Seok-Jeon Yoon
Extracted from Yonsei Newspaper #958
