03/13/2015 – Archived Post from Salvation Soldier Blog
“This is My Father’s World” is a popular hymn that dates back to 1901 inspired by Maltbie Babcock’s walks in the woods near Lockport, New York. Viewing the beauty in the world around him Babcock rightly gave glory for nature’s beauty to our Creator.
Every time I sing this song there is one particular verse that fills me with hope and reminds me of God’s peace in this world: This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget, that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done: Jesus Who died shall be satisfied, and earth and Heav’n be one.
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| Woman Mourning |
Amidst all of the evil and hate we perceive to be in this world there is a hope that God is in control and Jesus will right all wrongs.
We should not, however, ignore the evil in this world. Today groups like ISIS are imprisoning peaceful people and torturing and executing them. Abusive opportunists enslave people for financial gain and even sell children’s services for sexual acts to appease the lust of many. Women in America have been raped and forced into the porn business enjoyed by many millions in our nation. Defenseless unborn babies are being slaughtered daily as a matter of convenience. Many have been abused by their fellow man, and others have been ravaged by disease and injury. Pain and death in this world are nearly unbearable.
Yet, in the face of darkness and death I want to communicate good news to you today. My message: Life is grace.
There are many out there who want to sugar-coat life. Have you watched any commercials lately? Companies want you to think products will make your life better. The promises vary. Perhaps a cruise will give you an escape from the world around you, or a movie or video game will give you a new world to explore. Maybe beer will make life exciting, or a new medicine will somehow turn your life into the American dream. Ever notice how the sun is always shining in those medicine commercials?
The truth is nothing you can buy or receive will prevent the real and painful experiences everyone will go through in this world and no one can beat death. The important take-away here is that this is by design. God wants us to know there is something wrong in the world and there is something wrong with us. Pain and death are meant to remind the whole world that there is consequence for sinful actions and there is a coming judgment.
That is not to say God inflicts pain on us, but rather these are all consequences for the sins of the human race. The Bible teaches that our world fell into sin with Adam and Eve breaking God’s command in Genesis 3. We were created to live according to God’s standard and when mankind rejected God’s moral law the world fell into sin, pain and death.
Now everybody has sinned, it is part of our nature. The Bible lists the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 as a guide for morality but the New Testament clarifies that thoughts can be sinful too. Lust is adultery, hate is murder, and to God lying and stealing are sins that will condemn us to Hell because God does not tolerate sin and pride.
The gospel teaches that Jesus came to die so that we may be saved and receive everlasting life. Jesus gave His life so that He could take our punishment for us by being crucified for our sins. Jesus came to bring us hope and grace.
Through Jesus life itself has become an opportunity for grace.
We live in a world where there is pain and death, but there is also love and beauty. Some say this is because of chaos, but I believe it is because of God’s grace. The sinfulness in our world has brought much suffering, but God gives us gifts of grace and beauty at the same time.This is God’s faithfulness to us, that even though we break His laws He is ready to forgive at a moment’s notice.
God could bring us judgment the moment we sin, but instead we receive patience. This is what the apostle Peter had to say about God’s patience in regards to His coming judgment: But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9
We exist in a world alongside evil not because the grace of God has failed, but because it is unfailing. Even though we deserve death Jesus died for us and He is giving time for many more to receive His saving grace. Repent now while you have the chance and trust in Jesus for everlasting life and hope, and then tell everyone you know about the love of God.
But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him 2 Peter 3:13-15
Sources: The Holy Bible New International Version
Pictures:
Picture of Woman Mourning – By International Film Service. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Ten Commandments – By User:Vmenkov (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons