The new age or new world promised in Scriptures has a central point: The figure of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who is God’s ideal concept of what a man should be. Christ is the true essence and substance of all the good and noble things existing in the universe; therefore, it is necessary for us to gaze at Him as what He truly is: How pure, how noble, how sublime, how righteous and how merciful a man could be. Jesus is the ideal man. He who was led as a lamb to the slaughterhouse, is the end of all things (Romans 10:14) and the ultimate goal of God’s purpose. Notice the way Paul the apostle describes Him:
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”(Ephesians 3:14-19)
The corruption and filthiness of the man of this age is also a crude reality clearly described in Scriptures. If we want to know what we really are, take at look at yourself at the mirror of Romans 3:9-18:
“What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one. Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced decei ; the poison of asps is under their lips; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Romans 3:9-18)
After such dismal panorama, the Bible leads us to look upwards and invites us to—after being liberated from guilty and condemnation—seek the things above. Let us read on Colossians 3:1-2: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Romans 2:6-7 reads as follows: “Who will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality.” There is no doubt at all. God has purposed for us to become in the likeness of Christ as written on 1 John 3:1-3:
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God. Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed , we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
Whoever chooses not to follow, by faith, these excellent conditions and virtues and does not desire these to become inherent, is also neglecting and refusing to follow God’s ultimate purpose, and will end up being cast out of the coming New Age. This is the way Paul the apostle completes his thread of thought on Romans 2:8-9: “but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek.”
My dear reading brother, we are aware of our sinful nature and our rotten inclination to do evil. However, the Christ, who gave His life to save yours and mine, advices you to stop your fleshly frenzy and take a moment to look upwards so you can find the worthy things of the New Age that God has for you so you can become a man who can complete His final purpose, this is, a man who enjoys the noble and sublime things in spirit and truth. Look up, my dear brother! Become a man of high values—this is the purpose of God our Heavenly Father. Never look down! Do not let yourself be dragged down by current of lust and filthiness for you will end up being like dust in the wind that becomes nothing and there will be no memory of your existence. Behave! Cultivate and carry out to the goal with reverence and awe before the Lord, for He is our true Father and He patiently watches above us with merciful eye, expecting for us to give heed to His Word and do according to His will in order to take us home, to our heavenly home, and live happily ever after.
If you, after reading these simple words, do not respond, you have lived in vain. Which road would you follow, the lofty or the filthy one? The decision is yours, but the consequences of your decision will lead you to life or death.
