+ Living For Christ: In this New Year in Light of His Promise +
Board for Evangelism Newsletter: February 2010
Listening to politicians makes one think that a bright future is easy to guarantee. If we follow them, they will lead us into prosperity. What a different story we see in reality! Life is full of struggles and hardship despite their promises. Our elected leaders are no less sinful than we are. The daily news abounds of their unfaithfulness. They say they will fight for us; that they will never let us down. But many of them, to serve their own interests, have forsaken us.
Jesus is very different from our earthly leaders. Jesus is different because He keeps His Word, regardless of the cost. His great love for us caused Him to put us first, even though it cost Him His life. Our sins deserved to be punished. He paid the debt of our sins so that we would have a bright and prosperous life in heaven. We have not been faithful to God. We have left Him at the slightest whim. We frequently choose to do it our way when we find His way too constrictive. We ignore His Word and forget the wonderful promises that He has given us. However, Jesus continually remains faithful to His Word, forgives all our sins, and works all things for our good.
Jesus is different because He hasn't promised an easy life for us. In fact, He said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart. I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Living for Jesus means that we will face troubles. But we will not face them alone! The writer of the book of Hebrews reminds us of God's promise: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). We can face the uncertainty of the future with the certainty that God will keep this promise. He will lead us through this valley of sorrow into the eternal prosperity of heaven. In this New Year, live for Jesus, in light of His promise.
Jesus is very different from our earthly leaders. Jesus is different because He keeps His Word, regardless of the cost. His great love for us caused Him to put us first, even though it cost Him His life. Our sins deserved to be punished. He paid the debt of our sins so that we would have a bright and prosperous life in heaven. We have not been faithful to God. We have left Him at the slightest whim. We frequently choose to do it our way when we find His way too constrictive. We ignore His Word and forget the wonderful promises that He has given us. However, Jesus continually remains faithful to His Word, forgives all our sins, and works all things for our good.
Jesus is different because He hasn't promised an easy life for us. In fact, He said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart. I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Living for Jesus means that we will face troubles. But we will not face them alone! The writer of the book of Hebrews reminds us of God's promise: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). We can face the uncertainty of the future with the certainty that God will keep this promise. He will lead us through this valley of sorrow into the eternal prosperity of heaven. In this New Year, live for Jesus, in light of His promise.
Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.
Hebrews 13:5
