Evaluation in Light of the Cross

Evaluations are often opinion based and only when those opinions find their source in the Light of the Cross of Christ do they find eternal purpose.
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For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. 2 Timothy 1:7-11.

My opinion is that our Nation is today more polarized than it has been since the Civil War. Secular humanism is now the icon of division and our Nation’s foundations are being tested because of it. No longer can we afford the comfort of sitting in front of a television and allow the politicians determine our future. Believing that the future is present, Believers in Jesus Christ must understand their foundation comes from the God who has given us a spirit of power, love and discipline.

For well over 200 years the Christian faith has been the structure around which our Nation has been constructed. However, secular humanism has become the vehicle for those who have carved for themselves places of authority, no matter the color of their skin, economic ability or social standing. People of Christian faith must understand Whose they are and evaluate themselves in the light of the Cross.

It may be that what Paul writes here in 2 Timothy is more valid today than it was yesterday…..24 hours ago…. “….but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity….” Events are unfolding around us, locally, nationally and internationally that are determining our physical future at alarming speeds that may very well bring Christian suffering sooner than later.

I am not suggesting particular events or statements that are in the news, but rather there are multiple events and statements that are circulating in globally. A prophet I am not, but neither am I willing to sit back and be silent when the obvious is taking place. My feelings and words are not new, but they are reflective to some degree the truth of God’s Word. Christians must be more active in sharing the Gospel in community and be aware that more and more people are ignoring more and more of what we are proclaiming.

Our calling is not for our purpose, but for His purpose and grace that has been granted us in Christ Jesus. His purpose is not for our pleasure, but for the eternal salvation of those around us and we must be careful to understand that today is the day Salvation.

The message that we are to proclaim is more relevant today than ever before and, “…now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel….” You see, the Gospel message continues to be truth and salvation for eternity and for all men, and we must be engaged in making it known.

Secular humanism speaks only to the moment and to the sensual desires of the human heart while the Biblical message speaks to spiritual desires and eternity. For this reason you and I must thoroughly understand that we do not stand alone, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” God has personally endowed us by His Holy Spirit of power, love and discipline, and these are not talents but authority allowed by Him.

We are no different than Paul in calling except that he was an Apostle and none of us are. But listen to his words, “I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.” Each of us has received a calling from God to share the Gospel message and this calling is what I will call an “appointment with eternity” because many of those with whom you will speak today do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

With all of this in mind, how do you evaluate yourself and the eternity of others with whom you will speak today in the Light of the Cross??

Jesus is Lord
BW