Finding Peace in a Turbulent World
Written by Richard Thomas / October 19, 2001 / Revised 11/17/2005
I would like to address current events beginning with September 11, 2001 in the light of what I see in the Bible. Like many of you, the recent events have caused me to re-evaluate what is important in my life with the prevailing questions. Why did these things occur? Why does evil exist? Why does God allow it? I am hoping that my sermon will produce more questions that will provide fodder for future messages.
I will attempt, by God's grace, to take on each of these questions in light of God's Holy Word. I claim no authority on any subject. I only know; I am persuaded that God draws near to all that draw near to Him and reveals secrets to those that diligently seek Him[ Deuteronomy 29:29 ] If 30+ years of drawing ever closer to the One that had mercy on a sinner such as I through faith in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for my sins according to the scriptures, was buried, rose again from the dead according to the scriptures and ascended into Heaven to sit at the Father's right hand, leaving the door open for all who would follow. If that qualifies me for this task then I accept the challenge.
Why is there evil in the world ?
First of all, the finger of blame cannot be pointed toward any particular group or individual. A virus called Sin, entered the world through one man, Adam, as a result death has reigned over Adam's family "...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God".[ Romans 3:23 ] Simply put, evil exists in the world because the world does not love God. One only needs to read the newspaper or watch or listen to headline news casts to note the evidence. The Bible says that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.[Genesis 1:1]. [ Genesis 1:31 ] sums up all that God did and says..."it was very good." Allow me to clarify what I mean by the term "world". Within the creation of the physical planet Earth there are systems I call worlds i.e. plant and animal. Look through a microscope and you may see a variety of different worlds. The world I am referring to in this thesis is the world of humanity and the consequence of a rebellious choice.
Note that God created the heavens first and is always referred to as Heaven, where God dwells. When referring to the dark side (Satan's world) I am referring to the (spiritual world) with a small "s". God created creatures to inhabit Heaven as well. The Bible makes many references to this i.e. Isaiah chapter 6, Daniel 8:15-18, Revelation chapter 4. Angels were created as ministering spirits, sent to serve those who will inherit salvation [ Hebrews 1:14 ]. There came a time, before Adam, when a third of angelic beings lead by Lucifer (Satan) mounted a rebellion to dethrone God, which is beyond imagination. It failed ( of course ) and Lucifer was cast to Earth where the Bible tells us, "...the devil roams back and forth upon the Earth, seeking someone to devour."[ 1 Peter 5:8 ] The devil has never seen a shortage and Satan did not have to look far as there was only one man and one woman. The great serpent struck and injected the venom of rebellion on to Adam's family. Adam was dethroned, Satan ruled as king until the fulfillment of [ Genesis 3:15 ] traded His life for ours.[ Galatians 4:4 ]
Heaven is not a physical place. It is always described as the highest place, where God dwells. If Heaven is God's home, then God has the better perspective on things. When I was young my favorite place to go was to the top of a small mountain close to my home in southern California where I grew up. There I could be free from distractions and pressures. Although I didn't know God then, I wanted too, if only someone would just show me how. The mountain was about 1500 feet in elevation and from there I could see for miles after the Santa Anna winds blew through the San Bernardino valley. Now, God having the highest vantage point, can see the end from the beginning, even through the haze of Satan's smoke screen. Things look out of control from ground level because we can't see as far as God until He brings us up to the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.[Ephesians 2:1-6 ] The "prince of darkness", Satan, has blinded the eyes of the unbelieving until a supernatural transformation takes place. A supernatural transformation takes place when our hearts are broken by adversity and God's light penetrates the open wound. The choice is ours to allow healing to take place and the Son of God to be born in our heart. As we feed on the word of God like a new born infant craves his/her mother's milk, the Son of God is formed and nurtured in us.[ Galatians 4:19 ] Rest assured, things are going to work out God's way because His ways are higher than ours and the ways of man are in His full view [ Job 34:21 ].
As I stated before, evil exists in the world today because the world hates God, ruled by a deluded being that will never change. God's omniscience knows that, so He has created a future environment for Satan that one day will be his permament home along with those that do not want to spend eternity with the One who loves them beyond comprehension. God came into this world on purpose to provide an emergency exit door when it catches fire[ John 3:16&17 ]. Every year the merchants of this world get fat on the historical fact of God becoming the weakest thing in His creation, a human baby. Satan, who is the god of this world, blinds the eyes of the unbelieving through the "...lust for physical gratification, the lust for material possessions and the lust for power..."[ 1 John 2:15-17 ]. I have to admit that sometimes he fools me too. But God promised that His Holy Spirit would dwell within those that are born again to keep them from going astray. Christmas is the biggest commercial day on this planet and God in His faithfulness reminds His children of the reason for the season. But the world crucified God's gift, but before it did, God's gift, Jesus Christ, crucified the world to Himself by pleasing His Father. Jesus said "...the flesh (the world ) means nothing, the Spirit gives life..."[ John 6:63 ]. "God is Spirit"[John 3:24] and they that desire to see the kingdom of God must be born again "Spiritually", it is a supernatural happening and it must happen before you can begin to walk with God.[John 3:3-8]. When you begin to walk with God you will see things in a different light and on a different level.[ 1 John 1:5-7 ]. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those that love Him."[1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV ]. To know God, is to know love. To love Jesus is the evidence of love for God. To love one another is the evidence that we are Jesus' disciples. Jesus said to His disciples "...don't be surprised if the world hates you; it hated Me first."[ John 15:18 ] The apostle Paul promised that all that seek to live a godly life in Christ would be persecuted.[II Timothy 3:12]
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Wintercreeks.net Statement of Faith, Hope and Love
Welcome all visitors. Like a tree planted by the Spring of Living Water. The plan of action for Wintercreeks.net is to be a source of healing for the nations. The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of mankind, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the joy of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light in a dark world, nourishment for your soul, and comfort for a broken heart. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good the design and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, reverantly and prayerfully. It involves the highest responsibilty, will reward the greatest labor and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.
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