Our world is a mess. It can almost make us wonder, “Is God in control of this?”
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| Karen Katchuk Director of Team Development One Way Ministries |
I’ve recently been studying the book of Romans and it is God’s answer to all this mess.
There is no wonder we are where we are. Sin has completely saturated every aspect of our lives and it is affecting how we treat each other and how we relate to God. We know that through Jesus, all of this changes. The remedy to the world’s sin is God’s faithfulness. Our Father sent his son, Jesus, to this lost and dying world, to rescue us from this sin. Through a relationship with Him, all things can be restored. This is faith. We can place our belief in Jesus and how he has defeated the power of sin and follow His ways, not the ways of the world. With Him in control of our lives, we treat others the way we would want to be treated, we look out for those who are hurting or being hurt. We care for those who are poor, we call out injustices and acts of violence and God begins to make the world right again.
When Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in Rome many years ago, he encouraged and praised them because of their unwavering faith, faith that was being talked about all over the world. They were standing strong in the midst of adversity all around them. Paul reminded them that “through Christ, God had given them the privilege and authority as apostles to tell others everywhere what God had done for them. Christ did this so they would believe and obey him and bring glory to His name. (Romans 1:5)
There was much sin in the world during this time too. Sin much like we are seeing today. It clouded their judgement and suppressed the truth, convincing them that what they were doing was not wrong. The people knew the truth because it had been made known to them, yet they turned from God and wouldn’t worship him or even give him thanks. Scripture says they became, “utter fools”. So, God abandoned them to do the shameful things that their hearts desired and as a result, their sins became greater. Their lives were full of greed, hate, envy, murder, arguing, deception, malicious behavior and gossip. They were backstabbers, full of pride, boastful, disobeyed their parents, merciless, heartless and broke their promises. They went a step further and encouraged others to behave the same way. They knew God’s judgement for the wages of sin, yet they did them anyways.
This all sounds very similar to the world we live in today. We have been made known —very clearly— and we choose to sin anyways. “ For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God”
(Romans 1:20)
So, are we people of unwavering faith and sharing the Good News of Jesus with the world?
Or are we people of little faith and following the world? Are you ashamed of the Good News of Christ or are you a believer in the power of God at work and the promise for all believers? We have got to stand up as Christians and fight for Christ. We have been waverers and sin has prevailed. We must be people who are talked about all over the world because of our faith. There is no excuse.
“This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. It is through faith that a righteous person has life. (Romans 1:17)
Karen
One Way Ministries hosts several planned short-term mission trips throughout the year. In addition, OWM leads custom trips to fit individual schedules and goals for groups and families. Check out the scheduled trips online at the website or contact OWM at info@1wayministries.org for information about additional options for custom trips, leadership development, team building or trip preparation.
Please join us this week praying for our team in Guatemala, led by Sheryl Turner. They will be serving in Sacjavilla, a rural Mayan community, alongside our partner church Iglesia Jerusalen and at Tabitha House a women and children's ministry center in the city dump.
One Way Ministries hosts several planned short-term mission trips throughout the year. In addition, OWM leads custom trips to fit individual schedules and goals for groups and families. Check out the scheduled trips online at the website or contact OWM at info@1wayministries.org for information about additional options for custom trips, leadership development, team building or trip preparation.
