The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Saved By Hope"
I recently heard a scientist postulate what the earth would be like in a billion years. As a materialist who does not believe in God, he portrayed a bleak outlook wherein no life or water would be left on the planet because of the sun's increasing heat through the ages. According to this view, the only hope for survival by the human race involves escape from an earth that will one day be completely uninhabitable by any living creature. Moreover, according to the materialist, the earth will one day cease to exist altogether when our sun becomes so large it will likely engulf the planet.
"Let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die" (I Corinthians 15:32).
Little wonder so many who embrace this view give in to either hedonism or despair. The unbeliever maintains that it will ultimately not matter or even be known that the human race ever existed. Nothing of consequence regarding our doings will endure. Instead, we will have been no more important than a rock, a single bacteria, or a speck of dust, here today and gone tomorrow. Scripture, conversely, portrays a very different view of earth and its purpose, significance, destiny, and most importantly, its inhabitants.
"The earth abideth forever" (Ecclesiastes 1:4).
"I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before Him" (Ecclesiastes 3:14).
Certainly, the planet on which we live will one day no longer exist in its current form. It will not, however, cease to exist, nor will it become uninhabitable by the creatures who live on it. The "new earth" will not be new in the fact of its existence, but perfected by the redeeming power of God ("new" in the original Greek of the New Testament means new in form and condition - II Peter 3:13). The redeeming work of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Creator of earth who became its Redeemer, assures us that glory and perfection grace the future of what we might call God's enhanced and improved creation to come.
"For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope" (Romans 8:22-24).
"Saved by hope." While listening to the scientist and pondering the desperately sad implications of his perspective, the thought came to mind, "What am I going to do about this?" That may seem silly. What can any of us do to change the hearts and minds of others about such matters of eternal consequence? The answer is this. We may not have the opportunity to affect the scientist in question (other than pray for him, a powerful influence as God answers). However, in our own spheres of influence, our lives can serve as the counter to the increasing atheism of our culture. We can so live as to reveal to others that God exists, that the Lord Jesus Christ is the redeemer who can rescue human hearts from the delusion that leads to either hedonism or despair. Our countenance, demeanor, attitude, words, and actions can proclaim the reality of God to all with whom we live our lives. We can serve as beacons of hope to the hopeless. "Ye shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:15).
The Spirit of God bears witness of the Lord Jesus and His truth to the scientist we reference. From conception unto the present moment, he has "clearly seen" the reality of God and His creation (John 1:9; Romans 1:20). He may never repent, believe, and turn away from the hopeless delusion that allows him to live as he pleases (the real root and cause for all unbelief - John 3:19). He cannot, however, escape the Light that ever shines upon him (John 1:9). Herein lies the power of the Gospel, namely, every other view of reality leads only to despair regarding this life and forevermore. The Gospel, as revealed by the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and the church of God proclaims "promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come" (I Timothy 4:8). To even the most ardent atheist, such hope serves as a powerful influence. Let us pray and live in such a manner that we will serve as the lamp that shines brightly upon the truth of an earth that will always be, and even more, of its people who either joyfully or sorrowfully "shall be forever."
"He built His sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth, which He hath established forever."
(Psalm 78:69)
"I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth."
(Romans 1:16)
Weekly Memory Verse
Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness.
(Psalm 97:12)
6699
No comments:
Post a Comment