Sunday, June 26, 2005
Word For The Week
In 1992 James Stockdale, Ross Perot’s running mate, opened his segment of the Vice Presidential debate with the humorous quip, “Who am I? Why am I here?” It was humorous because he was not a politician - relatively unknown - and yet he was in the political spotlight. The question, however, is actually quite profound, and we need to ask ourselves, “Who are we? Why are we here?” This question drives philosophers to think and musicians to sing – each inquiring about that one thing: “Who are we and why are we here?” Africans throughout the diaspora who are separated from the land of our ancestors have struggled to sing the Lord’s songs in a strange land, and we struggle for an identity, for collective self-esteem. We need to answer the question, “Who are we and why are we here.” To answer that question we must look to God. David inquired of God, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained; What is man that you take thought of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” Who are we and why are we here?
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. He created the land and the sea, the birds and the trees, and Adam and Eve. Yet in that serene setting the serpent seduced and deceived Eve, and she did eat of the sweet treat from the forbidden tree. And she took it to her husband, and he too did eat. Sin often tastes sweet when we first eat of it, but when the sin begins to win its way through our system suffering becomes our end. God created us for fellowship with Him. Yet because of our sin we are separated from Him – dead to sin. We need New Life to begin. Jesus stands at the door knocking, asking you to let Him in.
Who are we? We are Children of God, soldiers of the Most High God, representatives of the Kingdom of God here in the kingdom of this present age. Why are we here? We are here to tear down the gates of Hell, to deliver God’s word of reconciliation to this lost and dying world, to bring the dynamic rule of God over the lives of men. We are here, not to take sides among the factions of this present age, but to take over – to seek the kingdom of God, to get people to submit to Christ that He might reign over their lives. We are not here to enact laws to create a theocracy - we are here to bring the good news of Jesus Christ that all men and women might freely choose to live for Him. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together.
Christian, that is who we are, and that is why we are here.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. He created the land and the sea, the birds and the trees, and Adam and Eve. Yet in that serene setting the serpent seduced and deceived Eve, and she did eat of the sweet treat from the forbidden tree. And she took it to her husband, and he too did eat. Sin often tastes sweet when we first eat of it, but when the sin begins to win its way through our system suffering becomes our end. God created us for fellowship with Him. Yet because of our sin we are separated from Him – dead to sin. We need New Life to begin. Jesus stands at the door knocking, asking you to let Him in.
Who are we? We are Children of God, soldiers of the Most High God, representatives of the Kingdom of God here in the kingdom of this present age. Why are we here? We are here to tear down the gates of Hell, to deliver God’s word of reconciliation to this lost and dying world, to bring the dynamic rule of God over the lives of men. We are here, not to take sides among the factions of this present age, but to take over – to seek the kingdom of God, to get people to submit to Christ that He might reign over their lives. We are not here to enact laws to create a theocracy - we are here to bring the good news of Jesus Christ that all men and women might freely choose to live for Him. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together.
Christian, that is who we are, and that is why we are here.
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