9-11: geen straf van God
h. - 17.10.2004 12:49
niks
Degenen die menen dat 9-11 of de huidige economische crisis eem straf van God is, leven nog onder de wet waarvan Jezus ons juist heeft bevrijd.
We must take our stand upon what the mouth of the Lord has spoken, or risk defeat if we listen only to our fears and/or to our religious dogmas. When men judge the word of the Lord based on current events, be it the oppression of ancient Palestine by the Romans or the present fear Americans seem unable to shake that the terrorists will overcome us, we lose eternal perspective. God, as I said, dwells in eternity and we live in time. We do NOT see the end from the beginning, nor do we always know what His perfect will for our lives is. We also, do NOT live under the precepts laid down in Deut., chapter 28, whereby Moses clearly spelled out for those living under law what would happen to them if they failed to obey. Read the chapter and rejoice, because Christ "canceled the bond which stood against us with its legal demands; this he set aside, nailing it to the cross" (Col. 2:14). What this means is that IF we are sick and can't get healed, or IF we are suffering financial privation, or IF our
children and/or other family members are out of control, it is NOT punishment for our sins. It IS God working all things together for our good, no matter what it looks like.
A prominent bible teacher and preacher was splashed all over the Internet saying that 911 happened because of America's sins, namely, failure to pray in school, teach our children the bible, lack of parental discipline, and blatant immorality that makes the evening news every day. If Christ had not come, bled and died for us, and rose victorious over death and the grave, then a call for national repentance might be in order, but dear ones, He paid the price! To punish us for sins after that would be as Lenny puts it, "double jeopardy."
We're in the midst of a presidential election which exceeds anything I've ever seen for reckless rhetoric, mud slinging, name calling, and fact smashing (telling lies about the opponent). To make it even worse, the issue apparently is: WHO will make the country safer from terrorism? Which MAN will keep us from harm? Hello, what Bible translation have these good folks been reading, many of whom are Evangelical Christians? About depending on man for help, Isaiah admonished Israel: "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the LORD!" (Isa. 31:1). Who is the only rock, the hiding place of those who depend on Him? Who is He who forms the light and creates darkness, who brings prosperity and creates disaster? "I, the Lord do all these things" (Isa. 45:7).
All God's promises to Israel through the mouth of the prophets were fulfilled in Christ for those whose spiritual eyes are open to see! Isaiah revealed God's plans for Israel (the faithful): "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear" (Isa. 45:22-23). Our Presidential candidates are spending millions to declare their own worthiness and enumerate the failures of their opponent, using shameless fear tactics to get votes. Only God has the "right stuff" to earn our trust and the kind of undying loyalty that Christians continue to give to political parties and politicians, rather than to whom it belongs: "I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please" (Isa. 46:9-10). The Jews missed the first coming of Christ because they were looking only at the physical. Likewise, the church missed the second coming, which happened on the Day of Pentecost. This reminds us again, that the kingdom does not come with observation (or ballot box), for it is within us.
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