Page 8 - Good News January 2005 paper

London published two editorials on the We don’t like God interfering in our business. As
same page. Not surprisingly, the first one mentioned above, an increasing number don’t
this beautiful planet into a sorry scene of was titled: “A Terrible Reminder That even acknowledge His existence.
waste, confusion and devastation (Read Nature Is Dangerous” (Dec. 27, 2004). It One of the purposes of this prophetic publication is
Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28). Later, in seven was about the disastrous effects of the a call to repentance. If you are stealing in some way,
days, God restored and renewed the tsunamis in the Indian Ocean. heed the words of the apostle Paul: “Let him who
earth into the idyllic place it had once The second, just below, was entitled: stole steal no longer” (Ephesians 4:28). If you are
been. He created the first man and “Losing Our Religion.” The connection having an affair, remember the words of the book of
woman and placed them in the Garden of between the two will become obvious. This Hebrews: “Marriage is honourable among all, and
Eden. But like the fallen Lucifer, they too last editorial consisted of commenting on the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers
rebelled against their Creator and God an accompanying feature article in the God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). Jesus simply said
had no option but to banish them from same paper titled: “Britons’ Belief in God to a woman He had forgiven: “Go and sin no more ”
their paradise-like garden. Vanishing as Religion Is Replaced by (John 8:11).
Adam and Eve set a pattern of Apathy.” Likewise the sub-head read: “The No matter what course your neighbour or your
disobedience for mankind, and we have national mood towards faith is one of nation as a whole may take, you can turn from your
been going astray from God ever since! indifference.” sins and begin to live a righteous life by the
But from the very first, God has had a plan The second editorial talked about Britain indwelling of Jesus Christ through the power of
for the redemption of humankind “becoming a nation of shoulder- God’s Holy Spirit (Gal. 2:20). As a reader of this
(Revelation 13:8). In His divine wisdom shrugging agnostics who, instead of article, you are most likely being called to
and to help fulfil His basic purpose, God thinking systematically about religion, repentance by your Creator.
has chosen to leave Satan in charge of react to tragedy by improvising rituals with Don’t leave your life to the vagaries of time and
this earth until the time of the future the nearest objects to hand, such as chance. Act now! Jesus Christ said the appropriate
return of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul flowers or teddy bears”. God, of course, response to disasters is personal repentance. The
acknowledged the devil's rulership by would far prefer that the reaction be Christian way of life is a way of changing to become
calling Satan “the prince of the power of personal repentance of their individual like Christ.
the air, the spirit who now works in the transgressions of His law. [http://www.ucg.org/wnp/wnp0501/
sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2). (The British example is used simply wavesofdevastation.htm]
Three times in the book of John, Jesus because England is where I live and
referred to Satan as the ruler of this world needed information is more readily You may either agree or disagree with the authors’
(“prince” in the KJV). accessible. If I still resided in my native views/statements above, but one thing is certain:
This is not to say that he is behind every United States, its example would probably “...man is destined to die once, and after that to face
disaster like this latest earthquake/ be more appropriate. America acknow- judgment...” (Hebrews 9:27).
tsunami or every personal misfortune, ledges God to a much greater degree than The question remains: Where do YOU stand with
but these disasters serve to highlight his Britain, but still doesn’t live His way.) GOD? If death should knock on your door today,
harmful influence during “this present The latest British poll conducted by The will you be ready to stand blameless before God? If
evil age” (Gal. 1:4). He has the power to Daily Telegraph is far from encouraging. not, repent of your sins and give your life to Him
spread misery and suffering throughout The feature article mentioned earlier sums today! “‘Come now, let us reason together’, says
his domain. So the question remains: up the startling findings: “In 1968 more the LORD. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they
Why does God sometimes allow such than three quarters of people, 77%, said shall be a white as snow; though they are red as
devastation to take place, and what they did believe in God. That figure has crimson, they shall be like wool.’” (Isaiah 1:18).
should our reaction be? How should we fallen by nearly half to 44% - a minority of - Editor
respond when disaster occurs? the population.”
Jesus called to mind a disastrous REACTING WITH REPENTANCE
accident in teaching us all a very It’s very encouraging to see that the
important lesson. Referring to a great Western nations (including Britain) have
tragedy in Jerusalem, He said: “...Those immediately pledged millions of dollars of
eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell disaster aid and have begun airlifts of
and killed them, do you think that they desperately needed supplies to these
were worse sinners than all other men battered regions. This tradition of
who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but generosity and help for those in need is an
unless you repent you will all likewise outgrowth of these nations’ long Judeo-
perish” (Luke 13:4-5). Christian heritage and is to be highly
Our shortsighted way of life often brings commended.
on the potential for disaster. God has But how should we personally react to a
created a world of cause and effect. disaster of such enormous proportions -
Proverbs 26:2 tells us that “the curse no matter how far away? Again, Jesus
does not come without a cause.” Christ said not to take our lives and well-
Sometimes, however, there is a long time being for granted, that they can disappear
lapse between cause and consequence. in an instant due to circumstances beyond
This is what deceives humans into our control. Personal repentance, He said,
thinking that they can get away with their is the only sensible response to disaster
evil deeds (Eccl. 8:11). Somehow we like (Luke 13:1-5).
to play Russian roulette with our Our nations continually break God’s great
precious lives. This world is recklessly spiritual laws with seeming impunity, and
drinking iniquity (lawlessness) like water. then we wonder why bad things tend to
We are removing ourselves further and happen.
further away from God and His righteous When God sent His prophets to warn
way of life, willingly rejecting His bless- ancient Israel, the inhabitants often
ings and protection! reacted by stoning them. Later He sent His
Herein lies the answer to the question, very own Son and they likewise murdered
“Where is God?” People have pushed Him. Then the Church Jesus built was
Him out of their lives and even out of their assigned the task. It is still on the job. But
consciences. And He is allowing them to few today really and truly like to hear
do so, for now. where their misguided way of life is taking
This morning The Daily Telegraph in them.