Cursed? Pt. 3

(continued from Part 2)

So, why do these things happen to some and not to others? We need go no farther than what Jesus said when the “Prosperity Gospel”ers of His day were saying that people had done something wrong and that is why they were suffering. Those prosperity guys were the Pharisees. They taught a sort of Judaistic Karma. The idea was that if you’re good, you’re blessed; if you’re a sinner, you’re hurt. The truth of the matter is that no one is good but God, and we’re all sinful enough to deserve hell. Jesus used a tragedy of His day to explain the point:

“Do you think that these Galileans were more sinful than all Galileans because they suffered these things?³ No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well! ⁴ Or those 18 that the tower in Siloam fell on and killed—do you think they were more sinful than all the people who live in Jerusalem? ⁵ No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well!” Luke 13:2-5 (HCSB)

He was not saying that these men and women were good or evil. What He was saying is that we are all responsible and must take measure against the yardstick of God and repent of our own sin. It should be a wake up call to everyone of us! Each of us is personally responsible for our relationship with God and should refrain from casting judgment on a group of people because something horrible happened to them.

As marvelous as creation is, disasters will continue to happen as long as we live on this fallen planet. We have not been cursed, but as believers, we can also suffer as we are waiting to be delivered one day when Jesus comes back for us. May we wait with baited breath for Him…ready at any moment for His return. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Cursed? Pt. 2

(continued form Part 1)

The truth of the matter is that natural disasters happen because of one thing, sin. I’m not going to approach this the way you think I would. It is not the sin of America, the sin of Haiti, the sin of Swaziland, or the sin of any individual nation that cause these cataclysmic events to happen. According to the Bible, we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). We are all under judgment for our sin. Why? Because Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden in the beginning. The earth and all of its inhabitants fell under that curse. Romans 8 tells us:

“For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it—in the hope ²¹ that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of corruption into the glorious freedom of God’s children. ²²For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. Romans 8:19-22 (HCSB)

Earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, malaria outbreaks, and the like are all a result of the earth groaning, waiting for Jesus Christ to come again and redeem the world. We will one day get back to a new heaven and a new earth that is not under the curse when Jesus makes this earth His home (Revelation 21:1). But until then, all the disasters that strike us are reminders that He’s coming gain, He will make all things right, and He’s not finished yet.

The Bible is very clear that we as believers are delivered from curses. Whether it be the law or something much more insidious like a pact with the devil. Listen to what Paul shares with the church in Galatia, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” Galatians 3:13 (HCSB). It is my understanding that I have been delivered and set free by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. The truth of the matter is that had it been my own father that made a pact with the devil, I would not be under the curse of that pact because I have trusted Jesus Christ as my leader and forgiver. If I individually choose to remain under a curse, that is my problem, not anyone else’s. There may be consequences for that choice, but not a curse.

Cursed? Pt. 1

It is with fear and trepidation that I write this because I am not a disagreeable person. Sure, I like to debate as much as the next person, but never for the sake of being disagreeable.

It was recently said on television that the land of Haiti has been cursed because of a pact that was made with the devil by some leaders who thought that voodoo was the only way to get rid of the French in the early 1800’s. After a little research, I found out that there is some evidence to point to that as being true. I am not sharing my thoughts because I think that this is true or false. I don’t believe, however, that the people of Haiti, and therefore the Haitian nation was privy to this pact nor would they have supported it. The truth of the matter is that it doesn’t matter who did what and who this pact was made with. All nations have people who have made deals with the devil. Look at our own nation and the satanic priest, Anton LeVey, the head of the church of Satan in America. I’m sure he has made many pacts with the devil. Does that mean that a curse is against our nation? Somehow, I doubt it. As lost as Sodom and Gomorrah were, God was willing to spare them for only 10 righteous people (7 of whom would have been Lot’s own family, Genesis 18:32). Would it be any different for a nation in this age of grace? Again, I doubt it. God’s patience is beyond anything that you or I could ever be, the Lord “is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (HCSB).

So, what about this thing of natural disasters?

Is it because of a curse?

Why do disasters happen? Is God just out to get people?

Who should be prepared for judgment?

(Continued in Part 2)

Love for Life

As I write this, we have just experienced another horrible tragedy of monumental proportions. This time the catastrophic loss of life is in our hemisphere. Haiti has been devastated by a 7.0 scale earthquake that some estimate has taken the lives of more than 100,000 men, women, boys, and girls. Buildings are collapsed, missionaries have died, citizens have passed into eternity, and injuries cannot even be counted. When we see a loss of life like this, it hurts deeply. Life is precious. God created each one of us with a strong desire to live. Why? We are created in the image of God and if our God is anything, He is certainly the God of life. Through all his struggles in life, Job understood God’s life-giving and life-sustaining power, “You gave me life and faithful love, and Your care has guarded my life.” Job 10:12 (HCSB).

Every January, we are reminded of new beginnings and new life. As we look to the new year, may we all commit to the sanctity of human life that is so precious to God. Life…what a wonderful choice!

Because of His grace, Pastor Trey Rhodes