The only lasting hope

"American Idol Give Back" - was the theme of the TV program last week. In a 2 hour long special, the producers took us to various places where they saw human need. They visited the people still living among ruins in New Orleans. They visited some kids in a youth center in a poorer section of Los Angeles. Simon showed that he was actually human when they visited a couple of places in Africa that are reeling under the effects of poverty, where people are dying at terrible rates from AIDS. With various celebrities urging us on, while the pictures were tugging at our heart, Americans responded by contributing $30+ million for relief projects.

I am glad, very glad, for that kind of generosity, but I also know that eliminating poverty and suffering requires more than dollars! We like to think that these problems are the result of a lack of resources or education. If they are, then we can take care of them. It is simple, right? If an African child is just taught to read and write, he have a happy life. Wrong! Poverty and human suffering is frequently the result of multiple needs, and these things will be changed only when we bring Jesus Christ and His Truth to the situation! For example, economic prosperity requires many ingredients - a capable work force, an economic system that rewards hard work, a system of laws that protects the powerless from exploitation by the powerful, a stable government that provides a climate that encourages long-term investment, etc. Just pulling one string by giving a few dollars to educate a single child, as admirable as that might be, does not unravel the knot of human failures and sins that put that child in harm's way in the first place.

The Gospel of Christ changes individual people, which in turn, changes cultures! When His truth takes root in the hearts and minds of people, they are transformed. They learn to love others which leads to respect. They learn the value of individuals which leads to human rights. They learn to respect the rule of law because they believe in a ultimate Judge to whom we will all give account.

That is why, friend, I spend my life in the work of God. I believe that the only Hope for humanity is in Jesus Christ; starting with my own family, reaching to my neighborhood, extending to my nation, and touching every part of this world. I know He transforms alcoholics with broken lives into faithful husbands and hard-working citizens; I have seen His Gospel work. I know He changes selfish bigots into loving philanthropists, for I have seen it happen. I know He can take a self-absorbed man seeking only his own success and make that man into someone who loves others deeply because He changed me!

Here's what the Word says - "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." (Titus 2:11-14, NIV) Know it, Believe it, Live it! The gospel is not just a Sunday morning experience. The gospel is the foundation of 'life to the full.'

Ask the Spirit of God to convince you of this, dear friend. As wonderful as humanitarian acts are, unless they are connected to transformational truth, they are only a mirage of hope. Jesus Christ creates genuine hope, of life now and life in the world to come. Once convinced, become a sharing of truth - loving others to wholeness for God's sake.

Yes, this is our commission from our Master, Jesus, who said- "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20, The Message)
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My hope is built on nothing less,
than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus' Name.

On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand,
all other ground is sinking stand!
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