A random happening in a giant, cold, and purposeless universe?
The Bible warns and prepares us for the end of all things.
Those last days will be dark, dire, and hopeless for many. We can expect wars and uprisings where selfishness, materialism, pridefulness, and brutality abound. But the Spirit-led and hope-filled people of God are called to love each other deeply, offer hospitality, use our God-given gifts to serve others with the strength that God provides, to speak as those who speak the very words of God, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 4:7-11, Luke 21:9, 2 Timothy 3:1-5).How can anyone be hope-filled in the midst of such intense darkness?
The people of God understand that the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it for HE founded it on the seas and established it on the waters; this is not randomness, but purposeful creation (Psalm 24:1-2). We further understand that what we see now is temporary and that Jesus has gone ahead of us to prepare an eternal home for us (John 14:1-4), and so we fix our eyes, our hearts, and our motivations on the unseen eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18), and we live within this temporary moment to do good for the glory of God that others may too surrender their lives to Jesus and be set free from the burden of sin and guilt (Hebrews 9:14); we have purpose!For we are God’s handiwork…
We are not random happenings in a giant and cold purposeless universe. Rather, it was God who made us with personal care and attention, knitting us together in our mothers’ wombs (Psalm 139:13-14). Each of us, uniquely created, are His special handiwork.…created in Christ Jesus…
Considering the reality that all of us have sinned (Romans 3:23) and that this sin carries the penalty of death, eternally separating us from a perfect God (Romans 6:23), it is unbelievable that there is no condemnation for those who have surrendered their lives at the feet of Jesus (Romans 8:1, John 3:18). Once we choose to repent and believe the Good News, as Jesus called us to do (Mark 1:15), the old has gone and the new is here; the new creation has come (2 Corinthians 5:17), and it has come with purpose!…to do good works…
We are not a people of only theoretical positioning, stuffed away in dusty rooms of debate and dialogue. Rather, we are a people of action just like our Saviour is; the One who suffered and died in our place, rose again that we too may truly live a life pleasing and honouring to Him and for Him (2 Corinthians 5:15). Can you imagine a Spirit-filled follower of Jesus seeing someone in need and instead of helping, speaking words of blessing, but doing nothing about their physical needs? No, we are a people of action because the Spirit that is in us cares deeply for each person in need around us, therefore we also care deeply! Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead (James 2:14-17). We are created to do good works!…which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:1-10).
God created me, knows me, loves me, saved me from the consequences of my sin, gave me hope of life eternal, so that I can do good things during my short time on this earth that He Himself prepared in advance for me to do?!! Wow. Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit - fruit that will last…” (John 15:16).Be encouraged today, my dear brother and sister in the Lord.
There is work to be done in the midst of the darkness and hopelessness that abounds. God has chosen us, His hope-filled and purpose-driven people, to go and bear fruit, to do good works, and to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to all people.—
Anger in the streets
The nations are fighting again
Children are hungry
As the ground it shakes below
Sadness and confusion
Our hearts are aching for hope
When will we find calm
And some relief
Don’t be afraid
God’s here with you
He’ll guide us through
All that we do
When the storm rages on
And the world falls apart
Put your trust in the One
Who loves you with all His heart
Surely God is my salvation
I will trust and not be afraid (Isaiah 12:2)
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