Pastor’s Column 10/15/2023

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you…”

I Peter 1:3-4, NIV                        

"From Horrendous To Hope!”

Any society where human life is reduced to mere collateral damage, is in grave danger of extinction. The horrible stories of babies being ripped from the mother’s arms; and their heads cut off is as evil, as one ever could imagine. When the bullets of rival gangs, aimlessly penetrate a young pregnant mother’s body, instantly killing her soon-to-be born child, is soon forgotten news; what we call human, has become demonic. In every age of civilization, we’ve lived through narratives, people have said would never be repeated. Yet, life has a way of repeating itself. Not only is the outer crust of the planet deteriorating; our ability to live in harmony is quickly dissipating. The prophetic Baptist preacher from Atlanta, Georgiaonce said, “We must learn to live together as [brothers and sisters], or we will perish together as fools.” Jesus warned the people of His day, that their failure to protect the emerging generation would cost the offender everything. We see an instance of anger displayed by Jesus, when the young ones were not welcomed and treated as equals in His kingdom. Jesus said, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.” (Matthew 18:5, NLT).As Matthew and Mark mentions these encounters with Jesus; the stage is set for Jesus to speak of the atrocities and breakdown of life, culture, and spirituality, before He returns. Since none of us will ever know the precise time of Christ’s return; we need to seize this time to repent; and repair the brokenness that plagues out lost humanity. In Christ, we have the capacity to love each other; to do justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God. Ours is the redemptive power of the cross; but it is also the power of a resurrected hope. A living hope is available; to help us make life and the world better! It is “Christ in us, who is the hope of glory.” We can fix many things when each realizes; “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength,” (Philippians 4:13, NKJV).