Exodus 20:20 Moses
said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you,
so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning."
Sometimes I wonder when and where
the world started to go wrong. It may be that I’m getting older and just don’t
understand the times that we are living in. It could be that we’re all heading
down a road that will lead to the betterment of humankind: I don’t know. It
just seems to me that we’re becoming more self-centered, self-opinionated, and
self-motivated than ever before. Godless behavior and brazen ways have
captivated our people. There’s no more decency, respect, or courtesy. People do
their own thing, go their own way, and live their own lives.
We all love sin a bit too much these
days and this is breaking down our relationships, families, and communities. It
could be called amoral anarchy, religious recklessness, or fickle faithlessness.
Whatever it is, at some point we’re going to have to pay the piper and deal
with the consequences. There is no such thing as free freedom or cheap grace.
When Jesus returns, we will be judged for what we are doing or have done; His
Word will be final and there will be no appeal.
The
other day, I wrote a short poem as a reminder about what we as Christians believe
will happen. It’s called “Coming Soon.”
Coming Soon
There
will be a time
When
no one will ask,
“Is
Jesus real?”
There
will be a day
When
guns will be silent
And
humanity will heal.
There
will be a year
When
death is destroyed
And
pain will disappear;
For
there will be an hour
When
the world will say,
“Jesus
is here!”
Questions for personal reflection
Am I living my
life for myself or God? Do I really believe that Jesus will return to judge the
world?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, at times our world is
spinning out of control and we are fearful for its future. Instead of loving
God, many are devoted to sin. Instead of following Your way, many are making up
their own paths. Keep us and guide us, lead us and protect us in Your Holy
Name. Amen.
John
Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian
Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s
message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.
Today’s
image is one of John’s latest Celtic Cross drawings. It’s called “Celtic Sky.”
If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8326/8427665601_07363c1307_b.jpg
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