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2022 Year-End Thoughts from Steve Wohlberg

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We’re at the end of 2022. I’m sitting in my office. White Horse Media is surrounded by snow. My family is safe next door in our house. My wife Kristin has a break from teaching high school classes. Seth is home for the holidays after his first quarter as a Freshman at Walla Walla University (which he really enjoyed). Abby just turned 15 and gets her braces off soon (which she is really looking forward to). My health is holding out. I have so much to be thankful for. I’m sure you do, too. In this year-end e-news, I want to briefly focus on three of the most important truths we can think about. 

Just look around. People everywhere are breaking the Ten Commandments … having other gods before God, worshiping idols, taking God’s name in vain, breaking His holy Sabbath, dishonoring their parents, killing (and hating), committing sexual sin, stealing, lying, and coveting. The Bible summarizes the Ten Commandments with these two commandments: 1. Love God with your whole being, 2. Love your neighbor as yourself. Whatever Satan and misguided people do or teach, this eternal law inscribed on two tables of stone “with the finger of God” (Ex. 31:18) contains “the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13) and is the standard in the judgment (Eccl. 12:14; James 2:12). As we near the end of 2022, I want to personally appeal to you to pray for the Holy Spirit and to closely compare your character with God’s law. If the Holy Spirit convicts your conscience that you are out of harmony with the Ten Commandments in any area, be honest. Own up to it. Humble yourself. Confess your sins to God. 

No matter what anyone tells you, the New Testament plainly says that “Sin is the transgression [breaking] of the law” (1 John 3:4) and that “Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures.” 1 Cor. 15:3. Just like 1 + 1 = 2, these 2 verses reveal that the reason why Jesus died on that cruel cross was to atone for our sins of breaking the Ten Commandments. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. Whatever we’ve done, the Good News of the Gospel is that Jesus “paid it all!” If we repent (turn away) and confess our sins, He will cleanse us completely by His blood (1 John 1:7) and then write the Ten Commandments into our hearts. See Hebrews 8:10 and 10:16. Thus the goal of the plan of salvation is to save sinners from sin and bring them back to loyalty to the law of God, which is simply a reflection of His character and eternal principles. “O that there was such a heart in them,” the Lord says, “that they would fear Me, and keep all My commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever!” Duet. 5:29. “Great peace have they which love Your law, and nothing shall offend them.” Psalm 119:165. As we conclude 2022, I want to personally appeal to you to commit yourself (by God’s grace), to keeping all Ten of the Commandments in 2023. God’s Word says this is for our own good. 

“Behold, I am coming quickly!” Jesus says, “And My reward is with Me, to give every man [and woman] according as his [or her] work shall be.” Revelation 22:12. What a Day that will be! What’s more important than being ready, and helping others to be ready? Who will be ready? God’s answer is clear: “Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12. These will be prepared for the cataclysmic moment with every eye looks up to behold “a white cloud, and upon the cloud one like the Son of Man having on His head a golden crown and in His hand a sharp sickle.” Revelation 14:14. That Day will be harvest time. Everyone will be either saved or lost. As we stand on the edge of 2023, I want to personally appeal to each of you to make a firm decision right now to be ready for our Lord Jesus Christ’s return. “Be ready!” our Savior appeals to us, “For in such an hour as you think not the Son of Man is coming.” Matthew 24:44

This will be my last e-news in 2022. 

If God moves you to make one final end-of-the-year donation to White Horse Media, as always, it will be much appreciated!

All of us at White Horse Media sincerely wish you a Happy New Year!

Until 2023,  

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