Saturday, November 26, 2016

Confidence in a Sure Thing

By:  Dale Weckbacher

2 Corinthians 3:4-5
 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,
(ESV)

The stormy electoral aftermath in the United States serves as a reminder of how our lives can crumble when they are built upon a sandy foundation.  Void of a firm foundation in their lives, some individuals now find themselves protesting and rioting believing that if they just speak louder someone will hear them and their lives will change. (1) Celebrities threaten to leave but somehow never do when they realize that it is the liberties of this great nation that has enabled them to become wealthy. (2) Other celebrities have even resorted to talking to rocks in an effort to find some stability in their lives. (3) Such is the state of affairs when one chooses to build the stability of their lives on the sandy foundation of government and elected officials promising to provide for their every need. 

I therefore want to urge the loud protestors and rioters, rich celebrities threatening to leave the country whose liberties enabled them to amass great wealth, and even those wacky celebrities seeking answers from rocks to pause and learn from Jesus when he said,

Luke 6:46-49
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.[c] 49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
(ESV)

The election did not go the way you wanted but instead of rioting, protesting, issuing idle threats, or even resorting to talking to rocks that can do nothing, heed these wise words.  I understand that some of you may not even believe in God but since you have just witnessed the crumbling of the foundation upon which you had built your life, why not try God. 

I encourage you to try the sure rocky foundation of faith in God by,

1)      Accepting Jesus as your savior – The first step in changing the foundation of our lives involves moving the building of our lives from its current sandy foundation to the foundation of the rock of belief in God.  No one can come to God the Father unless he or she comes through Jesus Christ (John 14:6).  This is because we all have sin in our lives and must first remove that sin in order to approach God.  Our works are insufficient to atone for our sins (Isaiah 64:6), therefore we need the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ to cover our sins and bring us near to God (Ephesians 2:13).  I therefore encourage those reading this who have not already done so to move the foundation of your life from its current shifting sandy foundation to the rock of Jesus Christ by praying with me,

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

2)      Seek someone who has built their life on the foundation of God and His Word – Simply placing a building on a firm foundation is not sufficient for insuring its stability for a building must be properly anchored to that foundation.  The first step to beginning this process in our lives is to find someone who has already anchored their lives on the sure foundation of Jesus Christ.  I recommend finding someone you trust who is not a new convert to Christianity but someone who has lived many years with their lives anchored on the foundation of Christ. 
3)      Find a group of other believers in Christ (aka a church) – Being part of a group helps us realize we are not alone and that others believe as we do.  However, if you just accepted Jesus as your savior, you most likely have no idea how to find a good church.  Not all churches are created equal and it is important for you to find a church teaching the truths of the Bible the Word of God.  The best place to find this church is the person you sought out in step 2 for they most likely already attend a good church.  If, however, you were unable to find such a person, do not fear but begin attending churches seeking one where the person in the pulpit teaches out of the Bible.  
4)      Begin studying the Word of God yourself – Communication is necessary in any relationship including a relationship with God.  While group study of the Word of God is necessary, each of our life situations is unique.  We therefore must seek a one-on-one relationship with God.  God has given us His Word, the Bible and is how he speaks with us.  Personal study of the Bible gives God an opportunity to speak with each of us on a one-on-one basis.

Those of us who have made the decision to make Jesus Christ our Savior have chosen to place the foundation of our lives on a sure thing.  As such, our lives are not ruined by who wins an election for we have confidence our God will be with us (Psalm23:4).  If you have not already done so, please join us now in building your life on this sure foundation. 

1. Blue, Officer. To Election Protesters: What Are You Trying To Accomplish? bluelivesmatter.blue. [Online] Blue Lives Matter, November 9, 2016. [Cited: November 19, 2016.] http://bluelivesmatter.blue/trump-election-protesters/.

2. Staff, Newsday.com. Celebrities who said they'll leave America if Donald Trump becomes president. www.newsday.com. [Online] Newsday, November 12, 2016. [Cited: November 19, 2016.] http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/celebrities/celebrities-who-said-they-ll-leave-america-if-donald-trump-becomes-president-1.12588837.


3. Fox News. Lena Dunham Travels to AZ to Mourn Trump's Win, Asks Nature for 'Guidance'. insider.foxnews.com. [Online] Fox News, November 17, 2016. [Cited: November 19, 2016.] http://insider.foxnews.com/2016/11/17/lena-dunham-vacations-az-after-donald-trumps-win-asks-nature-guidance.

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