Helpless. That’s what we are.
Do you ever begin to think how helpless human beings are? When you see the corruption of governments in the news and you want to change things, but you can’t. When you want to stop wars going on all around the world, but you can’t. When you want to provide homes for refugees, but you can’t. When you want to cure every person of every sickness ever, but you can’t.
Humans are so problematic. It’s easy for us to look at other people’s fault and all the wrong things going on nationally and internationally, without recognizing that the biggest fight there is that needs to be won is our fight internally. It is this battle between wrong and right - our battle with sin that defines what our society and nation will be like. Most importantly, it defines what our eternity will be like.
A person like Donald Trump is in a position where his decisions will affect not just America, but every country whom USA has influenced. If President Trump’s core is not rooted in God, and if his decisions are not guided by the commandments, what will the world end up to? Now apply that to your individual life. If you know that your whole being affect others, and if you know that your actions and decisions affect your relationship with God, how will you change your actions?
Humanity is depicted in the Bible as fallen. It is because of sin entering the world that “grab ‘em by the pussy” exists and why bombings, mass shootings, slavery, domestic violence, cheating, lying, teenage pregnancy etc. occurs. We are infested. Our souls are infested with this vile thing that is sin. It’s easy to look at the Ten Commandments and think “That’s an old document. It’s invalid now.” Not so. The Ten Commandments of the Old Testament were magnified by Jesus in the New Testament. He took them to the next level (see Matthew 5:27-48). The Ten Commandments and all of God’s other commandments were written to point out our sins to us (Romans 4:15), and to make us see how much we rebel against God (James 2:10-12). The law has become a way to show us that we can never make it on our own and we should rely fully on God for all things in life.
In turn, God, being so gracious and loving, whilst also being just, holy and righteous, made a way for our sins to be cleansed. 1 John 2:2 says, “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” This is a truth that we need to understand and reflect on. Jesus did not die only to reconcile us with the Father, He is also able to save us from eternal condemnation in Hell. Because of Him, we now have a chance to live in eternity with God. Jesus died for us when we were still sinners, and now we just have to respond in faith.
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” ( Galatians 3:13-14 )
“Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11)
Christians then, are left with a responsibility. 1 John 2:3-4 states, “And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. Whoever says “I know Him” but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” Being sons and daughters of God, Christians are called to live a life that responds to God’s law. Ephesians 4:17-32 wonderfully describes the “New Man” that we ought to become as Christians. It is the one who is created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
What once were a helpless nation, is now, through Christ, redeemed. And what once was a helpless sinner, is now, through Christ, made new. The only way to salvation is through Christ, and the only way to Christ is by faith. With faith comes repentance. And with repentance, comes forgiveness.
