There is so much hate, anger and frustration all around us. Politics don't exist to serve the people, rather the entire opposite. They exist to serve themselves, and to conform others into their view. We have a hard time accepting other opinions, and feel the need to impress our "rightness" on others. Often this is done by any means necessary. The "I'm right. Your wrong" mentality is so prevalent. So, how can we be one? How is peace possible?
Well, frankly, it's not. The main reason is that we are self-serving by nature. It literally takes a miracle. Have you ever watched a child? They have to be taught to share. By no means is it natural to put others before ourselves. Look around you. Today's lifestyle is about instant gratification, and self truths. Who has more, who knows more, who looks better and on and on. Is it possible to break out of that mundane cycle society calls "living"? Is there even any other way? Is there any way out?
I have tried living for my own truths. I have followed the opinions others had on how I should live my life. I have lived for the moment. I have lived for myself. I have lived to know more, do more, feel more. Never did I find freedom in self service. Not once did I find joy or peace inside. How can we expect to rescue ourselves when we don't (and can't) comprehend the vastness of life? In the same regard, how can we expect another person to give us the answers? How can they lead us into freedom when they themselves only have their own fantasy of what it means to them?
At the end of the movie, in the credits, an outside evil power is revealed. The moment has arisen when he has his chance to mold the world into his fantasy. He holds the power to rule as he sees fit. My point is this, there will always be another ruler. We all have opinions and many believe they can make the world a better place if only they were listened to. In many cases in history, and currently, people will do what ever it takes to be heard. Even if fear is the motivating factor, they perceive success.
So, is there any hope of change? The answer is "yes"! There is another way! There is only one Ruler who has been the same yesterday and forever. He will never change or become corrupt. We can count on Him. The catch is we need to abandon our selfish nature. There is no need to fear loosing control, because His power is greater then our understanding. "I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power He used when He raised Christ from death and let Him sit at His right side in heaven." Ephesians 1:19-20 CEV. What power have you ever seen that can literally overpower death?
In the same way His love for you is so deep that He is literally in capable of deceiving or leading you in a bad direction. He promises us this, if we follow His perfect guidance: "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
When we make the personal choice to live in the death of Jesus Christ, life is no longer the same. The cycle is broken "if you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9 NIV You will be free to serve the merciful and loving Creator, and live with Him in eternity instead of experiencing death. This is best explained in Romans 6. I would encourage you to read it in its entirety, but here is a handful of it.
4 When we were baptized, we died and were buried with Christ. We were baptized, so that we would live a new life, as Christ was raised to life by the glory of God the Father.
5 If we shared in Jesus' death by being baptized, we will be raised to life with him. 6 We know that the persons we used to be were nailed to the cross with Jesus. This was done, so that our sinful bodies would no longer be the slaves of sin. 7 We know that sin doesn't have power over dead people.
8 As surely as we died with Christ, we believe we will also live with him. 9 We know that death no longer has any power over Christ. He died and was raised to life, never again to die. 10 When Christ died, he died for sin once and for all. But now he is alive, and he lives only for God. 11 In the same way, you must think of yourselves as dead to the power of sin. But Christ Jesus has given life to you, and you live for God.
12 Don’t let sin rule your body. After all, your body is bound to die, so don’t obey its desires 13 or let any part of it become a slave of evil. Give yourselves to God, as people who have been raised from death to life. Make every part of your body a slave that pleases God. 14 Don’t let sin keep ruling your lives. You are ruled by God’s kindness and not by the Law.
Jesus is the real life Captain America. He lived, and died, to preserve our spiritual freedom! That freedom's only hope for preservation is to give our personal desires to Him as a response to the greater sacrifice He made for us. Have you experienced guilt, shame or regret when you have messed up? Do you recall how bad that feeling is? So, take that feeling and times it by every mistake you have made. What if you had to feel every mistake you have ever made in one moment? Can you imagine how that feels? Now, imagine that feeling multiplied by ever person who has lived, is living and will exist. How massive is that pain? I can't even imagine that feeling. That is exactly the feeling Jesus felt on the cross, in addition to the physical pain of torture, beatings and crucifixion. He experienced that for you, because the love of the Father is endless. He lived a life as an example of how to overcome human nature and live according to the will of God.
God has a perfect plan for my life and yours, but we have freewill to make our own choices. He lets us live as we choose, because there is no freedom if you are forced to follow. One of the options we have is to trust Him and have faith in His perfect love by striving to let go of our agenda and align with His will that we can have "a hope and a future".
I am still living for the moment: the moment God has given me to serve Him and all people. For the moments God breaths life and hope back into a hurting heart. For the moment I go to live in His presence forever! For the moment when Jesus comes back! Living for God's truths instead of mine has freed me from the mundane. I have hope and peace in my life. He plays no favorites. He longs to transform you life through His love and forgiveness, as well.
The whole world won't change, but one by one some will hear the truth, instead of old familiar lies. You could be one of those lives that is set free from self-serving rulers of personal fantasies. Instead you can live in love, grace and mercy, thought the free gift Jesus Christ offered though His death, burial and resurrection. That is where true freedom is given. Freedom is a choice. What will you choose?
"For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are bring saved it is the power of God" 1 Corinthians 1:18 Insight is freely given to those who have faith in God through belief in Jesus Christ. No on who seeks is denied, because He is a gracious God who is deeply in love with YOU!
To learn more we would love to see you come to Manchester Christian Church's Easter service at the JFK Coliseum at 303 Beech Street, Manchester NH (8 am, 9:30 am 11 am or 12:30 pm) to find out about the power of God and how it saves! There is everything to gain! What do you have to loose? Swing by! Or check it out online at http://www.manchesterchristian.com/newhome.aspx. There is an archive of past services and the Easter service will posted in the next day or so.
God designed humanity to be one. There is hope because God has always had a plan and always will!
