 |
|
Vol. 11 No. 11 November 2009 |
Page 12 |
|
|
Vol. 11 No. 11 November 2009 |
Page 12 |
Robert Johnson
Our society has become enamored with what is different, even in religion. For many, Christianity (what the world calls Christianity) is passé, and experiments with Eastern religions, such as Islam or Buddhism, are becoming more and more common. Of course, no matter what society thinks, Jesus alone is the way, truth and life (John 14:6). Scripture alone is God-breathed, and it alone reveals His will to us through His Son. Still, in a relativistic and subjective culture, almost anything goes.
Christ alone is the answer to sin and the problems it creates. Think that these other religions don’t have problems with sin? That their worshippers don’t have problems with immorality, greed, hypocrisy and many of the things that have been leveled against the Christian faith? Think again. In Bangkok, Thailand, monks caught sneaking out of temples in disguise, to carouse in karaoke bars and consort with women, have sparked fears that Buddhist religious values are crumbling in the face of worldly temptation. One monk was disgraced after a newspaper featured him proudly showing off his collection of vintage Mercedes cars, bought with the help of donations made to his temple.
Such reminds us of the words of Jeremiah, when he says, “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). On our own, we are ineffective in overcoming sin. Any religious system of human origin will fail, as it is incapable of removing sin and offering fellowship with God. That comes only though Christ, and a life of faith in Him. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith” (1 John 5:3-4).
How can the world come to know peace? How can we find a life that offers real answers to life’s problems, and offers a better way for today, and eternity? Only the Christ of Scripture offers us such promise and hope. Only by allowing His Word its place in our lives can we find all He offers (Hebrews 4:12-13). With the psalmist, may we confidently say, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!” (Psalm 119:11).
Mark McWhorter
Many are familiar with the account of Jesus calming the Sea of Galilee. He was sleeping in the boat when a huge storm came. The others in the boat woke Him up in fear of the storm. Jesus rebuked the wind and water, and they immediately calmed down (Luke 8). This demonstrated that He was God. Psalm 107:25ff talks about God calming the storm and having power over the wind. God brought a storm and calmed a storm in the Book of Jonah.
God describes the wicked as storms. Isaiah 57:20, “The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.” Jude 13 says apostate teachers are like, “Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame.”
Just as God can calm massive storms, He can calm the most wicked heart. If a person is willing to listen to His Word, that person can change from a stormy life to a proper life of service to God. Very bad individuals can become very good. Saul became Paul. Saul was guilty of severe persecution against Christians, but when he was converted and his name became Paul, he taught the truth to many people and changed many lives.
Do not be a raging storm. Study your Bible. Obey it. Then teach it to others so that they will not be raging waves and storms, and if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.