Thursday, August 17, 2017
Three things I know about our country and our world ... and Jesus
OK. Let me start by getting the obvious out of the way first. Racism bad. Violence not the answer. Hatred will not win.
Nope, don't really feel better. So I want more than words. I want to do something.
So here is what the tragedy in Charlottesville reminds me.
Because I am a Jesus follower.
We are living in a fallen world. There is hatred. There is violence. There is racism. There is greed and immorality. There is evil. This is not the world God made. We messed it up when we chose to listen to Satan. Sin is everywhere. So I am not surprised at what happened in Virginia or what will happen all over the world today.
Jesus is the answer. When people follow Jesus transformation happens. We get better. We change into people more like Jesus. So hate turns to love, violence turns to peace, and racism turns to brotherhood. So where I am, it is different. Where my family is, it is different. Where Christians are, it is different.
So if you want to change things, make more disciples. Tell the story of Jesus. When you make a follower, this world changes. There is another oasis of love, peace, and brotherhood.
You and I cannot change this world. Not really. Not by being nicer. Not by expressing outrage.
But Jesus can. He has changed me. He has changed you. He has changed people all over this world.
So be a disciple maker.
That changes this world.
Jesus is coming back. And he will make it right. Evil does not triumph. And hate does not win.
Our world needs to know that good news. Jesus died for the haters, the abusers, and the racists.
And if they hear of him, and if they believe him, they change.
Jesus followers love God with all we have and we love our neighbors like we do ourselves.
Jesus followers do not use the weapons of the world (violence, fear, evil). We use the power of the Lord God Almighty.
And Jesus followers destroy racism. The same blood of Jesus was shed for everyone. We shared the same baptism. And we have the same Holy Spirit. We will live together forever.
Because we believe.
And that will change the world.
Nope, don't really feel better. So I want more than words. I want to do something.
So here is what the tragedy in Charlottesville reminds me.
Because I am a Jesus follower.
We are living in a fallen world. There is hatred. There is violence. There is racism. There is greed and immorality. There is evil. This is not the world God made. We messed it up when we chose to listen to Satan. Sin is everywhere. So I am not surprised at what happened in Virginia or what will happen all over the world today.
Jesus is the answer. When people follow Jesus transformation happens. We get better. We change into people more like Jesus. So hate turns to love, violence turns to peace, and racism turns to brotherhood. So where I am, it is different. Where my family is, it is different. Where Christians are, it is different.
So if you want to change things, make more disciples. Tell the story of Jesus. When you make a follower, this world changes. There is another oasis of love, peace, and brotherhood.
You and I cannot change this world. Not really. Not by being nicer. Not by expressing outrage.
But Jesus can. He has changed me. He has changed you. He has changed people all over this world.
So be a disciple maker.
That changes this world.
Jesus is coming back. And he will make it right. Evil does not triumph. And hate does not win.
Our world needs to know that good news. Jesus died for the haters, the abusers, and the racists.
And if they hear of him, and if they believe him, they change.
Jesus followers love God with all we have and we love our neighbors like we do ourselves.
Jesus followers do not use the weapons of the world (violence, fear, evil). We use the power of the Lord God Almighty.
And Jesus followers destroy racism. The same blood of Jesus was shed for everyone. We shared the same baptism. And we have the same Holy Spirit. We will live together forever.
Because we believe.
And that will change the world.
