I read an article in the LA Times entitled, ‘Searching for the Divine.’ Scientists were doing research into why in an age of reason, people still insist on believing in God. After considerable research they finally reached a conclusion: “You can’t simply think God out of existence.”
Isn’t that interesting. A simple reading from the Scriptures would have given them that answer. According to the Bible, man is spiritually wired to believe in the reality of God. This is why people have all sorts of spiritual experiences. And this is why the Bible says, ‘The fool has said in his heart ‘There is no God.'”
Solomon wrote,
“[God] has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.” – Ecc 3:10-11 NASB
Paul had this to say on Mar’s Hill,
“… and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.” – Act 17:26-28 NASB
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Let’s take a closer look at the issue of eternity as a matter of the heart.
Don Richardson wrote a book called ‘Eternity in Their Hearts.’ In this book he shows how the cultures of the world have been prepared beforehand for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Even the various religions of the world have in them a stage set for God’s message of His Son. The key in true missionary work is to find this ‘setting.’ (I recommend Don’s book to anyone considering mission work.)
Actually the Biblical word for religion literally means ‘dread (fear) of the gods.’ The world is filled with religions of all stripes. India is a prime example with her millions of gods. But this in itself speaks to the ache of the human heart.
Of course Satan knows how far the human race has fallen from its original glory. He sets about to create replacement religions. He takes a little from here and a little from there to create an additional new religion. This is what new age is about. Islam is also a classic example. The religion of Islam combines elements of Talmudic Judaism with forms of Christianity, along with pagan elements, and from this comes a religion that has captured a quarter of the world’s population.
But in each of these religions, whether new or old, there is a setting aside of Jesus Christ as the only way to the Father. What many may not realize is that while Islam accepts Jesus as one of the five major prophets of Islam, one of its basic tenants is that God has no Son.
What’s the problem with that? Take note:
“Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.” – 1Jn 2:22-23
The Message sent from Heaven.
It doesn’t matter how many books the world’s religions offer, there is only one message that can bring healing and peace to the aching heart. This is the message that God has a Son, and that His only begotten Son took the place of humankind, and that His Son took away our sins by the sacrifice of Himself on the cross.
Out of the cross would come the message of heaven. This is why Jesus could speak to the aching heart of a fallen woman, and say,
“If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” – John 4:10
Here is the message of eternity in its simple form, and it will never change:
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” – John 3:16-17
So now we have a message to bring to the whole world.
It isn’t hard to share the message. All you need to do is make yourself available to God. Here is a short story. I’ll title it…
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Sabes tu que Christo te ama?
I’ve been in and out of Latin America on mission trips a number of times. This time we were among the Mayan Indians in the mountains of Belize. Walking down a mountain trail with some of our group, I noticed that an old Indian gentleman had stopped at the side of the trail to let us pass. He was carrying a bundle of wood. That’s when it happened.
I stopped and said to the old Indian, “Sabes tu que Christo te ama?” The elderly gentleman put his hands on his face and began to weep. I could hardly believe my eyes. Indians are generally very stoic [not showing emotion]. Instantly I did my best to consol him. I assured him of God’s love. His eyes were still wet with tears as we parted.
What I said to him in Spanish is, ‘Do you know that Jesus Christ loves you?’
It was my turn. My heart was broken. How could one simple statement have such an effect on anyone. But now I understood why the Holy Spirit impressed me to use that phrase. The love of Jesus is the message of the cross.
The old Indian did not need to hear a message of condemnation. These Indians were steeped in idolatry. Fear controlled their lives. They had mountain gods, and witches, and dark spirits at work in their lives. The old Indian lived in a state of confusion and fear and condemnation. He needed to know that Jesus Christ truly loved Him.
You see, once you share the story of God’s love, the Lord will take care of the rest. He may have much more for you to say, but you have said enough for the door of salvation to open wide.
By the way, Nathan speaks Spanish fluently. I mangle Spanish fluently.
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And so…
The message of eternity is clear. Jesus is the way of eternity. Jesus died for all of humankind. Take this message to heart. According to the apostle Paul, the Lord Jesus is very near to every man and woman on the planet. Our job is to let the Lord use us to bring the message of God’s love to this planet.
Don’t worry. He will give you what you need to speak at the proper time. Take time to listen to this song…
Much love coming your way,
Buddy
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