The world around us seems to be falling apart and everything seems to be spiraling out of control. There seems like a lot of anger that is being waged from all directions and there seems to be a sense of disorder. Many people complain and moan and groan, but nothing ever changes. People point fingers at each other for the troubles that they encounter. Sometimes people even blame the Church or even God.
We must remember that we live in a fallen world where sin runs rampant through the hearts of all people in an increasing way. The Church is still here on the earth and the Lord is still at work. The number of true believers in Christ may seem to be shrinking in some areas, but Jesus said the He would build His Church and the gates of Hell would not be able to stand against it. There are parts of the world where the Church is growing, but in America that doesn't seem to be the case for the most part.
The problems of the world are not caused by the Church or by God. The problem lies within our hearts. We have a sin problem that each of us is born with. We are a born with a sin nature. We come into this world spiritually dead and separated from God. The Lord provides us a way though to be reconciled back to Himself through Jesus Christ. We also have free will to chose whether to follow the Lord or not.
The Lord sent Jesus to die for our sins. Jesus bought us back to God. We are to come to Jesus by faith and trust in His grace. Our job as Christians is to live for the Lord and tell others about Him. We can't live the Christian life in our own power and strength. The good news is that we believers in Christ Jesus have the Holy Spirit who indwells us. The Holy Spirit started His work in us the moment we believed in Jesus and He will continue to work in us until we are taken to Heaven to be with the Lord forever.
We must submit to the Lord's direction and His call on our lives and trust in Him. We have our hope in the Lord. Even when things seem to be going crazy we know that the Lord is ultimately in control and He is always with us during our walk on earth.
We need to reach out to those outside the Church and help them find peace with God that is only available through a relationship with Jesus Christ. We know we are called to love the Lord with all of our hearts, minds, bodies, and soul and we are also to love our neighbors as ourselves. We need to show that love to those inside the Church and also to those outside the Church.
Many people feel left behind and even unloved by the Church. The old adage holds true, "People won't care about what you know until they know how much you care."
The Lord Jesus tells us believers in Him to go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel and make disciples and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We are smack dab in the middle of the worlds biggest mission field and we have work to do. It starts with prayer of course, but we must also be willing to take the message of Jesus to those we come in contact with each and everyday. There are people all around us that need to be set free from the bondage of sin. There are many who feel hopeless and discouraged. They need Jesus Christ.
There are even people in local churches all around that need Jesus as well. It is time to stop playing Church and it is time to start being the Church.
Lord, Heavenly Father,
We praise Your name.
Help us to love those around us and tell them about Jesus.
Help us to let others know that we love them and care for them.
Forgive us for not showing greater love for people.
We pray for those suffering from various things.
Touch them and heal them.
Revive us O Lord.
Wake up Your Church to do Your will and live for You.
In Jesus name we pray,
Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment