29th & 30th September
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Romans 8, 22
I have swept away your offences like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you. Isaiah 44, 22
The Lord declares: "Return, faithless Israel! I will frown on you no longer, for I am merciful. I will not be angry for ever. Only acknowledge your guilt - you have rebelled against the Lord your God, you have scattered your favours to foreign gods under every spreading tree, and have not obeyed me."Jeremiah 3, 12 & 13
Against nature
A modern drama, the crisis of "the stupid cow" mobilized media. We understand the anger of those who had all their livestock slaughtered and the confusion of the consumers who see that one of the best meet carries a killing disease. The origine of this drama is that grass-eating cows have been fed with flour which comes from animals! The milk production has surely risen but at the price of food against nature.
Against nature is a key word of today's society. We think about uncontrolled genetical manipulations which can bring forth to monsters. On the other hand we also think about homosexuality where men commit indecent acts with other men without shame (Romans 1, 26 & 27). A long time ago the Bible denounced such practices.
Man sins and nature suffers, creation growns for deliverance (Romans 8, 22). In fact, in spite of distress which science procurs, science is incapable of stopping the risky expierences which are required by international competition. The crisis is really serious, human beings have left their worthiness escape, they have lost contact with their Creator. However, God still loves human beings and they keep something of the Creator's image. We are born to live in harmony with God. Is living without God not already a life against nature?
In the past we feared famines and epidemics. These threats are still actual and others are added like the threat that we have upset our planet. This is where the ecological movements come from. Collective panics follow one another: contaminated blood, hole in the ozone layer, forests which are cut down, contamination by asbestos... Nothing lets us think that the problems will decrease.
A lot of people would like to establish a political worldwide programme to manage the earth. However, the Bible teaches us that at the moment the answer is not collective but individual: man needs to return to God. Respect the Creator and obey his precepts for life, this is the cure which everybody can reach. If we add faith to God's word, the Bible, then we can avoid several problems and disappointments and we have the right to be a child of God from now on (earth) and for eternity (heaven).
What will life be in a world without God? What is the future for those who despise him? We don't want to imagine it, we prefer to look at what God offers us. He has promised forgiveness, peace and happiness. In able to profit there is only one condition: return to God and believe him. If humanity as a mass has not answered his invitation, each one of us can answer for himself. God does not only not forget us but he is waiting for us. Jesus died for us, he stretches his hand out towards us. Have you taken hold of this hand?