Death and Destruction

I was watching a news program not to long ago and a guest was talking about God's wrath being poured down on the United States because of the moral decay in society. The guest took a very high moral ground not admitting any faults with in themselves, their congregation, or the church in general.

Is God punishing the world? He may be, but who am I to judge the hearts of man. When hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast I don't think any one thought that God was punishing the people that lived there. On the contrary people all around the world poured out compassion for the victims.

As Al-Qa'ida hi-jacked planes and flew them into the World Trade Center buildings in New York (we refer to as 9/11), I don't think Christians around the world were judging the victims of 9/11.

Yes, our country's morals have decayed in society. It seems that every one points fingers at this group and that group with the perception that everyone else is to blame. But where does the blame lie? Many blame Hollywood, but if no one supported Hollywood then Hollywood would change. Some might blame the government, but who elects the government representatives? Others might blame the Church, but who is the church?

I believe the answer lies in the heart of the individual. Every person has moral choices to make and their choices effects the lives of others around them. As individuals we can choose to support or not support Hollywood, elect government representatives that have moral convictions, be apart of a church that teaches the Gospel and the love of Christ, and we should examine our own hearts and lives.

I have not found the passage in the bible that says that once I have accepted Jesus Christ that I become the judge of man's heart. It is not there, but it does say to share the 'Good News' and love your neighbor as yourself.

Changing society needs to start in the heart and lives of the individual.

Death and destruction happens every day and as Christians we can take comfort that God's plan is at work in this world. We may not be able to understand or comprehend His ways but His plan is the perfect plan. He did give us some insight into parts of his plan in the Bible. Within His plan it describes the end times with death, destruction, wars, and rumors of wars.

One thing is clear, tragedies will continue in this world until Jesus Christ returns to reign as Lord and King.

Death and Funerals...

Funerals are ultimately sad and are a fact of life. All of us at some point in our life will attend a funeral for a friend or family member. Everyone in attendance will reflect on the deceased’s life and the memories that remain because in some way our life was touched. I will be the first to admit that I do not like funerals. Sadness and mourning fill the air, as we are to celebrate the life of someone that is gone.

Dying World: tomb stone Funerals are tricky for me. I can either celebrate the person’s life or I can mourn the person’s death but I cannot do both. I need clear evidence of the destination of their soul. What I am trying to say is that if their life clearly pointed towards God’s grace through Jesus Christ then that is a reason to celebrate, but if there is not this clear evidence then I will mourn for them because to me their fate is unknown.

I wrote “Dying World” after attending a funeral for the father of my wife’s friend. I really did not want to go because I had never met the person and from what I knew he was not a Christian. But I did go to give my wife support and to be there for her. I sat through the funeral listening for any evidence that this person was a follower of Christ. Sadly, I heard no evidence of that but I did hear what a good person he was. The minister called him a “saint” and said that he was with God at that very moment looking down from heaven. After everyone was done that wanted to speak, I realized that there was no glory given to God for the love and grace that He poured down on this person. All the glory was the deceased’s.

.What a lie that Satan has engrained into our society, “just be a good person”. The bible says,

“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23(KJV).

The focus in many religions and churches are the works of mankind. I would like for someone to show me one person that has ever kept God’s law remaining sinless (besides Jesus Christ). The bible says,

“… Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved,” Acts 16:31 (KJV).

According to the bible, heaven is not obtainable by us through our being a “good person” or by our good deeds but by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

“For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God,” Eph 2:8 (MKJV)

There are many more scriptures that confirm that salvation or heaven is obtainable only through the Son of God, Jesus Christ. I have yet to fine the verse or passage that says we have the power to over come our nature and be a good person that is faultless of all sin.