“There were some present at that very time who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And He answered them, ‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.'” Luke 13:1-3
Devotional Thought For The Day
Many Christians today are heartsick and angry about the well-publicized executions and persecution of Christians in the Middle East. Such things should never happen; they are ugly, pathetic, disgusting, and unbelievably barbaric and inhumane. We would feel the same even if the victims were not Christians; many of us had the same reaction when the Pakistani school was attacked and so many were killed. We mourned the loss of Jewish people murdered in a market in Paris, and even the deaths of snide and liberal journalists. Such incidents bring into view the reality that human nature hasn’t really changed much at all, and that if the sensibilities of Christian culture were removed from the earth the chaos and bloodshed would be shocking. We see some of this in our country – horrible and beastly murders and other atrocities committed against other human beings. Where consciousness of Christ is lost and He is absent from hearts and minds human beings are capable of unimaginable evil.
We may become angry – first at the perpetrators and those who have allowed conditions to deteriorate to such a circumstance that such wretchedness is possible. We also have a sense of anger at God – Who could prevent all of these things and Who has promised to protect and take care of His dear children of faith. Still, it is not His fault – this is precisely what He warned about in the Garden of Eden, the consequent “death” that sin brings into the world. Adam and Eve experienced it poignantly in their own family when their first-born son became the first murderer, killing their second born son, his own brother. The biblical record chronicles many other such dastardly and wicked deeds, and also God’s allowance of a degree of persecution and martyrdom among His dear children of faith. It was no different even when Jesus was exercising His earthly ministry and preparing to suffer slaughter as “the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.” Yes, God subjected His own Son to this same barbaric “death” that sin brings into our hearts and minds.
All of this illustrates the cost of God’s will that “all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.” It is worth it, obviously to Him and also to us if we have wisdom and comprehension. Still, the cost seems insufferable and we yearn for the time of judgment when justice will be applied. We should remember, however, that it has been applied – to the Lord Jesus on the cross, and that this is our only hope of salvation. Even the judgment of the Last Day is not based upon our performance – “If You, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You that You may be feared.” [Ps. 130:3,4] So the judgment to damnation on the Last Day is imposed only on those who demand it, on those who remain committed to the death of sin and reject God’s gift of life, and insist upon taking their place with the devil and his angels. Still, it will be a great blessing and relief to us not only to have our own sinful hearts cleansed and all evil expunged but also to be separated forever from all sin, wickedness, wretchedness, and evil.
Until then we live with consciousness of the horrid wretchedness of sin and the death of humanity that it brings to human hearts and minds, and the threat that remains imminent because of what is in man [John 2:25]. More importantly, we live with consciousness of the wondrous love of God that has provided us with forgiveness, life, and salvation, and His promises to be with us and to preserve us to His eternal heavenly kingdom no matter what befalls us. And we also live in awareness of God’s good and gracious will toward all people – hoping and praying that somehow hearts and minds might be turned to His love and renewed, and doing all that we can to promote this message of His salvation to others. Though life at times seems long and laborious [and at other times short and fleeting], all of our experiences and being in this fallen world of sin will pale in comparison to the glory to be revealed in us, and an eternal existence in the image of God, including whatever we must suffer in this life for Jesus’ sake. Still, it is painful to consider the cost of our salvation.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, help us as we struggle with the realities of sin and death in this fallen world. Help us especially to grow in appreciating the salvation You have secured for us. Help us also to understand the wonder of Your love for all people, Your gracious and merciful will that all might be saved and renewed. Keep us strong in faith and spirit as we consider what happens to brothers and sisters in the faith, and what also threatens us, so that we may be bold and effective proponents of Your gracious and saving Word even in the midst of great dangers. Keep us mindful of the glorious end that You have prepared for us. Amen.