What in the World?

What in the world is happening right now? We hear of wars and possibilities of wars. Attempted assassinations, riots, conspiracy theories, unrest. Despicable displays of mockery of Jesus our Lord.

I ask again, what in the world is happening?

In the beginning these things were not so. Not until Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Then sin overtook mankind and hope was lost.

But God in his great mercy had a plan of redemption. His plan is the most amazing deal ever created and it is simple. The divine exchange is my sin for Jesus’ righteousness. God sent His only Son, Jesus to die on a cross, in our place, for our sins. He took your sins and mine to the cross. His death and resurrection allow us to be set free and to be forgiven of every sin we have ever committed and every sin we will ever commit if we turn from our sin and put our faith and our trust (believe) in Jesus and his redemptive work on the cross, for our sake.

Throughout human history we have had assassinations and conspiracy theories, riots, and unrest and movies mocking the life of Jesus and very recently a deplorable mockery of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the worldwide stage.

In my lifetime I’ve seen the assassination of an American president, and attempted assassinations on at least two presidents. I’ve heard of riots in the streets, and I’ve seen innocent lives lost in those fights. I’m sure you can list many more atrocities that have occurred in recent history. These things are not new in the world.

Through the centuries, Jesus has been mocked. He was mocked when He hung on the cross and even today in the gross display of mockery, we have seen at the quintessential, global athletic event we used to enjoy watching.

The gospels tell us of the times before and during His crucifixion Jesus was mocked. (See Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23 & John 19)

There are no good reasons for any of these things. They are not good. They do not bring order and peace to the world.

They happen because we are sinners, and we want our own way. We want our “truth” acknowledged and accepted. If this doesn’t happen, we feel we must fight. Fight for our rights, fight for our influence, fight for our significance. This is selfishness and evil.

What would happen if I gave up my right to my own way, my right to my right to be acknowledged and my right to be someone significant?

Let me tell you a secret. As Americans we are taught from a young age that we have rights. As US citizens we have certain “rights” that are laid out in the constitution of our great nation. Truly we have the right to do right; be we don’t have the right to do wrong or to retaliate.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we have the right to lay down our life for the gospel, the glory and praise of God the Father.

In conclusion, let me give you a word of caution. When God is mocked, in our humanness we want to retaliate. However, this is not what God would have us to do. God does not need His children to defend Him. God is sovereign and can defend Himself better than we can. His Word tells us God will not be mocked: “Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap” – Galatians 6:7

So, what do we do in times when we are angry and want revenge for the atrocities done in the world and to our God?

Jesus has told us wahgt He wants us to do in Matthew 5:43-45 :

“You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies^[ and pray for those whopersecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

In Luke 23:34: “Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.

Follow God’s Word and love and forgive the enemy Jesus will make it right for His glory and our good.

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