Salvation is Difficult Nowadays

Luke 12:1-11

A few days ago, I read about a pastor who made a confession in the middle of his sermon. He said that a couple years ago he had an affair, but he didn’t go into details. When he was done confessing, a sixteen-year-old female stood up and said, “I was that girl.” That ended his ministry, and he will be living his Christian life inside a prison cell. It’s extremely difficult for people to repent of atrocious sins because of the way those sins are spotlighted. Nowadays, the secrets of the past never go away and can be brought to light at any time. Salvation is very difficult.

Today are the days when people are trampling on one another, no city is exempt from the fierceness of the crowds. They will trample on the Spirit of Jesus Christ in a heartbeat to prevent Salvation. Jesus blames the leaders for the behavior of the crowds because they are the ones leading and teaching them. Just like in today’s times, the leaders govern by the yeast of the mark of the beast that has the power to form behaviors, emotions, and thoughts. It thrives on sin, and sin is like yeast that grows and grows until it becomes very difficult to find Salvation.

“Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered,
so that they were trampling on one another,
Jesus began to speak first to His disciples, saying: 
“Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. ”
Luke 12:1a

There is nothing concealed or hidden that can’t be brought to light. Anything that was said in confidentiality, any secret shared with another person can be made public in a heartbeat. There is an inner presence in this world that has the ability to not only know secret thoughts but knows every detail about a person’s background. It despises God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit which means it despises Salvation through the Cross of Jesus Christ. It is the mark of the beast. Just the threat of the exposure of hidden sins keeps a person from living for Jesus Christ. The multitudes living by the mark of the beast channel the very incriminating information of secret sin. People are trampling on other people.

“There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed or hidden that will not be made known. 
What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight,
and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.”
Luke 12:2-3

Those who govern by the mark of the beast are not playing. It is Satan who operates through inner presence of the mark, and he has no intention of giving one inch to the Salvation plan of God that comes through Jesus Christ. Jesus says everyone should be more fearful of eternal torment than of the death experienced in the body. We should fear God who loves us enough to save us from Hell when we come to Jesus Christ for Salvation.

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body
and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear:
Fear Him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell.
Yes, I tell you, fear Him. 
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 
Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 
Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Luke 12:4-7

Blaspheme against the Holy Spirit are actions that sets up roadblocks to Salvation. The Holy Spirit is who draws people to Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin. The Holy Spirit draws people away from the mark of the beast because the mark is the yeast of sin, it thrives on sin. It thrives on holding people captive to sin and it thrives on exposing sin to destroy those who are listening to the Holy Spirit. If a person disowns Christ, then it doesn’t set well with God, but by publicly acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we will be acknowledged in front of the angels of God.

“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man
will also acknowledge before the angels of God. 
But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. 
And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,
but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.”
Luke 12:8-10

Those who govern by the inner presence of the mark of the beast don’t play nice. They are a tool of Satan and will utilize every tool in the toolbox to keep a person from finding Salvation through the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for everyone. They use authorities in every sector of society to set up roadblocks to the conversion process. Jesus says not to worry about a defense but to just follow the Holy Spirit. That makes sense because no matter what defense strategy is used, the only concern of those in authority is to serve the mark of the beast. The best thing to do is to continue being a witness for Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.

“When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities,
do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 
for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”
Luke 12:11-12