7-14-2015

Good Morning All!!

           Philippians 3:20-21; “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,  who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

    While visiting with one of the older members of our church, he looked at me and said, “The world is going to heck in a hurry isn’t it?”  He then went on to lament various events, some recent some not so recent, as his evidence.  My response was the same it has been forever; things aren’t any worse than they ever have been.  We live in a sinful world where sin is tolerated and contempt for God’s Word is rampant.  It takes many forms but it has always been there and, until Christ returns, it always will be.  This is why we, as Christians, proclaim that we are not of the world but that our citizenship is in heaven.  We know the world will be against us.

    So what do we do?  First we should realize that the world will never willingly follow God’s will.  It will always seek to denigrate, deny and destroy God’s Word.  We know the world will try but it will never truly succeed.  Just because sinful man declares God’s Word null and void, God’s Word still remains and his truth will always remain.  God, through Jesus’ death and resurrection, has defeated the world.  There is and will continue until Christ returns a war between the devil and the powers of this world against God.  God wins but some of the creatures are misled and lost along the way.

    The best thing we can do is to live our life as God’s will desires and that is to love our neighbors as ourselves.  That will is to bring hope to this broken world and to bring healing to those who are hurting.  We need to remember the words of Jesus, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  As difficult as it is, we must not return hate with hate or anger with anger.  We must always seek to turn away wrath with love.  This might take a little thought and a lot of planning but it is important to show God’s love to the world.  Nothing does more damage to the spreading of God’s Word than Christians who do not behave like Christians. 

    So as we go forth, don’t be surprised that non-Christians do not want to act as Christians.  Yet know that God wants us to behave in the manner that will show his love to the world.  We help those in need; we offer a cup of water to the thirsty regardless of his faith or actions.  We live our lives as Christ showed us; we live with compassion in our hearts.  We live with compassion in our arms and in our mouth bringing the saving gospel of Jesus to the world.  We are not of this world; we simply reside here serving God until God changes our situation.

Father, in this world we see much pain and sorrow.  Lead us by your Spirit to be citizens of heaven.  Lead us to be your ambassadors here on earth speaking your Word and truth, seeking justice for the oppressed.  Teach us to walk humbly before you.  Keep our faith strong that we may be bold and courageous.  In the precious name of Jesus our risen Savior we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret