Today's Environment

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Are You Tired of it All?
Are you tired of all the bickering, divisiveness, and arguing that is going on? Are you asking the question, "Why can't we all just get along?" I am.

I am tired of it all. This person hates that person. And with Social Media fueling the fire and TV news networks going on and on about events and opinions of events and people, it is getting ridiculous.

Then there is the question above all questions, especially in the minds of many Christians. 

                                                           Is this the end?

Before we even try to answer that question, let's hear from Jesus on the subject of the end from Luke 21.

Then He [Jesus] said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they [the leaders of the nation of Israel and the world] will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up the the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness." (verses 10-13)

Jesus spoke these words to His disciples nearly 2000 years ago. And guess what? Nothing has changed. 

The World is in Turmoil:
We see by means of many outlets the worst of the worst. We see disasters happening that kill hundreds if not thousands. We see decisions made by people that affect thousands of lives, some for the good, some for the bad. We are seeing, and hearing, angry people feeling that they are not being treated fairly. They are looking for equality on BOTH sides of the issues. And the interesting thing about what we see is, we see it instantaneously. 

That leads us back to one of the original questions today. Why can't we just get along? I can tell you why in one word.

                                                               SIN

Sin manifests itself in many ways. Mostly, I see it manifesting in the age old issue. "I want what I want and I don't care about any one or any thing else." The human race, because we are conceived into sin does not know how to live out "Love you neighbor as yourself."

This is why the world NEEDS Jesus. They need Jesus and His perfect life in obedience to the will of God the Father. Jesus, God the Son, was the obedience that we cannot do. Jesus, both God and man at the same time in the same person, walked right to a cross to be cursed by the Father because of Jesus carried OUR SINS to that cross. Jesus' sacrifice of His body broken and blood shed washed us all our sins away. Then, because Jesus rose from death, we have the promise of a new life free from sin and self.

We are now free to bear witness, or to testify, to the reality of Jesus and what He did for all of us.

The Opportunity:
We have the opportunity to bring the reality of Jesus to the world. Will it be easy? No. Will it be worth it? Absolutely. WE, the Church, cannot stand on the sidelines and watch the world fall apart. God is giving to us means and opportunity to live and share His life for all people.

Do you have a question or two? Please respond and let's get a dialogue going.

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