Many are saying we are in the last times, perhaps in the last part of the last times.  It may well be that we are the generation that will see the return of Christ Jesus.  But who will stand at His coming, and who will shrink away to hide?  We only have to look around us to see the scriptures being fulfilled before our very eyes.  The apostle Paul wrote to us in Romans about what he saw in his day, so we know this stuff has been going on for a long time.  Those who do not want to retain God in their knowledge have existed since Cain.  But in these days, what was a trickle has become an avalanche, and it’s evident by the scriptures that it will only get worse as time hastens to the return of Jesus.  Let’s read in Romans chapter 1:
Rom 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Rom 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Rom 1:19  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Rom 1:21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rom 1:22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Rom 1:23  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Rom 1:24  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:25  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Rom 1:26  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Rom 1:27  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
Rom 1:28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Rom 1:29  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Rom 1:30  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Rom 1:32  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
    The things of God are revealed in nature itself, He has not hidden knowledge concerning Himself from us.  We need only look around to realize we did not evolve from swamp gas as some would have us believe.  Some say mankind evolved from monkeys.  If that is true, why do we have fossilized remains of monkeys?  If anything, mankind has devolved, not evolved, for the animal kingdom does not create nuclear weapons to destroy one another.  Through the ages there have been wars and famines because of the greed and coldness of man’s heart.  Those who retain knowledge of God in their hearts want to obey Him, which leads to blessings untold.  God has not forced Himself upon mankind, but has given us freedom to love Him or not. 
    It is evident by the path society has taken as a whole, that largely, mankind does not wish to know God on a personal basis.  There are always some who do, and those look forward to the return of Christ Jesus, but others would just as soon ignore that God even exists.  There isn’t much I could do to better expound on what Paul wrote here, but rather, we should go back and study these words very carefully.  They reveal the path which are on, and there are only two:  either we retain the knowledge of God in our lives, or we don’t.  It’s pretty obvious what happens with those who don’t, God turns them over to a reprobate mind, which in turn wanders farther and farther from the knowledge of God, until there is no hope of return.
    Those who have allowed themselves to be turned over to a reprobate mind are very dangerous to mankind as a whole.  They are the people who are determined to rule the world, who are more than willing to destroy anyone who doesn’t think like they think.  We only need to look at the governments of nations around the world to see who has retained the knowledge of God, and who hasn’t.  If ever there was a scary time to live, it’s now, and friend, it isn’t going to get any better until Christ Jesus returns.
    What do we do in the meantime?  Well, this is a time of separating the wheat from the tares that the Lord Jesus spoke about two thousand years ago.  Before this is all over with, God will know who are His, and who aren’t, simple as that.  Knowing that, what kind of lives should we, His people, live?  One day, each and every one of us will give account to the Lord Jesus for our lives.  What will that day reveal in us?  Have we earnestly desired to know God, demonstrating by our daily behavior that we want to retain God in our knowledge?  Or are the things of this world, material goods, our own personal pursuits, going to reveal that our hearts are not really His?
    I didn’t write this to condemn anyone, but rather to bring everyone back to reality; what is it we are really seeking?  God has said that if we seek Him with all our heart, we will find Him.  You see, that’s the qualifier.  God isn’t hard to find, He isn’t hiding from us, but rather, He stands before our heart’s door, knocking, seeking to have intimate fellowship with us every hour of every day.  Ten thousand years from now it won’t matter how much money you had in your 401K, or what kind of cars you have, or how big of a house you live in.  It won’t matter what your politics are, or which team won the Super Bowl.  The only thing that will matter is where you stand with God.  Remember that, for there is nothing more important concerning your life, NOTHING!
    I like to say it like this: either we will hear “well done”, or we will BE well done in the Lake of fire Choose wisely.  You can’t go back and change the past, but you can certainly change your future by what you do right now, this very moment.  Every decision you make today will determine if you are retaining the knowledge of God in your life.  You can’t blame it on the other guy, for everyone will give account for himself.  You may fool me, but you can’t fool God!  It is written that God is not willing that any perish, but that all come to repentance.  Do you see that?  God isn’t against us, but rather, He is for us.  He wants you to be a part of His Kingdom.  He has swung the doors of heaven wide open, inviting you in, but whether you will respond is entirely up to you.
   One day, the Lord Jesus will return for those who rejoice at His coming, and I hope it’s soon, for I’ve had my fill of those who want to exclude God from my life.  I’m tired of those who don’t want me to pray, or to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I’m grown weary of those who are trying to make perverts out of our children, who call good evil, and evil good, those who are turning our hearts from God.  But it’s just the sign of the times. Until the Lord Jesus returns, I have a job to do, and that is to convince them how much they need God in their lives. 
   Just think, if each of us who loves God would tell someone today about Jesus, some of those who are headed for destruction will realize the path they are on, and turn to God and be saved.  And then there would be more headed for God’s Kingdom and less headed for destruction, wouldn’t you like that?  Will you help me?  I don’t want to see anyone lost.  Everyone is someone’s loved one, no matter where they live, and they need Jesus just as much as you and I do.  The sign of the times are against us, but we don’t have to let them overcome us, rather, we can give someone the opportunity today to retain the knowledge of God in their life.  Look around, they’re all around us, just choose someone and lead them to Christ Jesus.  Someday they will thank you, and so will the Lord Jesus!