Hello, Richard.
Our world is in turmoil. But for believers, even as we acknowledge the pain and problems in the world, we have hope. So many around us don't understand this . . . because they don't know Jesus.
But Christians do know Jesus. We do have hope amid the turmoil and sorrow.
With the return of Jesus growing nearer each day—and with the consequences of evil breaking in like a storm—there is an urgency to share the gospel.
As the storm grows, we have an opportunity to shine Christ's hope through building a stronger, brighter church. We can be "a living and holy sacrifice" (Romans 12:1).
A couple of years ago, I was reminded of the call to be "a living and holy sacrifice" by a DTS student from an undisclosed country, who was in a class I taught. Due to the pandemic, many students couldn't get visas to be on the Dallas campus that year. I would show up in the classroom every Wednesday morning and teach a live course to about 45 students in the classroom and 10 remote students on a big screen in front of me. When class was over, it was about 2:00 a.m. for this student on the other side of the world. He had to get up at 5:00 a.m. for work! Yet he never missed a class.
Think of it. Our brother—training to become a pastor in an increasingly hostile and dangerous nation—was grateful to have an opportunity to study at Dallas Theological Seminary. So grateful he regularly stayed up through the night, attended class by video, and got no sleep before wearily heading to work.
His sacrifice and commitment changed me. He changed the attitude of every student in that class. Nobody complained about anything! Not the tough assignments. Not the reading and studying. Nothing. Our brother reminded us of what it means to be a follower of Christ—a disciple. You take up your cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). You put your hand to the plow and don't look back (Luke 9:62). You pour yourself out as a living sacrifice (2 Timothy 4:6; Romans 12:1).
Why? Because people need God in our broken world! And more people come to know about Him when His Word is faithfully and accurately taught and lived out.
When I get a chance to share the gospel, what do I say?
Often, if someone tells me, "Oh, I'm not into that," I give them my card and say, "Hey, I'll tell you what. The path you're going down is likely to end up in what I call 'life bankruptcy.' When you hit bottom, give me a call. I'm here to tell you a better way—about a God who has the answers for the mess we're all in and who reveals Himself in a clear, credible manner."
The world is spiritually bankrupt. It's becoming more obvious day by day, isn't it? Rather than wallow in the news, let's give hope. As disciples, we have been commissioned to prepare the world for the return of Christ, and it starts with sharing the gospel.
The hunger is there. Christians must be prepared to meet today's storm with hope.
Firmly anchored in the hope of Christ,
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