Stop playing church! - Adventists urged to set their house in order
Published:Thursday | May 10, 2018 | 12:00 AMGareth Davis Sr/Gleaner Writer
Port Antonio, Portland:
Setting aside his title of commanding officer for the Portland police division, at least for the day, it was a fiery Elder Duane Wellington who urged members and visitors at the Port Antonio Seventh-day Adventist Church to set their house in order.
Wellington, who recently delivered a Sabbath message, spoke about the need for Christians to remain faithful and true to their calling, especially in a period where many persons are engaged in sinful practices, while throwing cold water on the Christian belief that Jesus Christ is coming soon.
"It is time to stop playing church," Wellington said.
"Engaging in lustful and other sinful practices should be aborted. Any playing of church should have been done last year, as Christ's coming is closer than ever. I know there are the doubters and detractors who are insisting that from they were a child, they have been hearing that Jesus is coming. But I say to you now that the signs are clear, and judgement has already started in Heaven.
"Christ is coming back for His people. Those who are faithful will enjoy eternal life - a life of happiness, peace, and joy. There will be no more tears, no more pain, no more sorrow, and no more hurt. The former things have passed away and all things have become new. This is a faithful promise, and God cannot lie. Satan is trying to make inroads in the lives of most of us," he warned.
According to Wellington, who was speaking under the theme 'Will Thou Be Made Whole?', the journey might be long, but the reward is great. He noted that falling or stumbling is a pathway that every Christian has to travel, but argued that it should not prevent believers from getting up and continuing the good fight of serving God.
Wellington, who also spoke about the need for Christians to stand up for Jesus Christ even when facing adversities, reminded the congregation that faith without work is dead. He noted that is expected that every Christian should undergo persecution because Christ did not promise anyone a smooth ride on the Christian journey.
"We are ambassadors for Christ; we have to tell the world about the saving grace of our God. To have a relationship with Christ means that we have to trust Him to lead us in all things. The greatest gift is for us to love one another as Christ has loved us. There is no middle ground with God, either you are serving Him or serving the Devil. It is not a smooth road, and sometimes the very ones that oppose us are the people close to us. We must extend that hand of kindness to everyone, as God is love," he said.