As this year draws to a close, and a new one begins, the turmoil continues. The coronavirus is running rampant throughout the world, turning lives upside down. The political climate is as unstable as it has ever been. Powerful people are attempting to overthrow the form of government created by our Founding Fathers. Christians are being persecuted all over the world. Churches here are being forced to close while liquor stores and strip clubs are considered essential businesses. Our way of life is under attack and uncertain. Is there any hope left? The answer to the question is, “It depends.”
For those who do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, the outlook is grim. They have no hope. Their destiny is eternal life separated from God in Hell. For those of us that do know Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, our fate is sealed. We will spend eternity with God in Heaven where there will be no more tears, no more trouble, and no more sickness. But what about our time left here on Earth? We still have to live in the nasty now and now before we get to the sweet by and by.
The Bible tells us in Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” Let’s take a look at the plan God has for His children.
Being a Christian is more than saying a little prayer and going on with your life. It is a way of life. If there has been no change in your life, you need to check your relationship with Christ. Paul told the Corinthians in his second letter to them, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) So then the question is, how do we live our this “new creation?” The Bible teaches us that when we are “born again,” the Holy Spirit dwells in us. We are each given spiritual gifts that we are to use in service to God. It is our duty to study God’s Word and understand these gifts, and to discern which ones we have been given. Once that is completed, our job is just getting started.
The mission for every Christian is given to us directly by our Lord and Savior in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” The way we accomplish this is by using our spiritual gifts.
In order to use our gifts, we are told in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Now we have the big picture. As a Christian, we have the promise from God that all things will work out for good for those that put forth reasonable service using their gifts in the way that God has called them to use them. So, no matter what is going on around us, no matter who is the president, no matter who controls Congress, no matter who persecutes us, no matter what pandemic infects us, we can know that no matter what happens, everything will work out for good.
Perhaps you have read this and would like to have that same assurance from God. The great news is that you can. The first step is to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. The Bible says that if you believe that Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a perfect, sinless life, was punished and died for your sins, that He was buried, that He rose from the dead, and now sits at the right hand of God the Father interceding for you, you are saved. Then, you need to find a local church where you can learn the Bible and find out your gifts and how to use them. Then live your life in a pleasing and acceptable way to God, which is your reasonable service. God has never called anyone to be saved and then to do nothing for His Kingdom.
If you have any questions about how to be saved or other questions about being a Christian, please contact me.
Scott Harris
Somebody's Gotta Say It... 