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The excellent news of the Resurrection transcends the social agendas of any Christian faction – Baptist Information International

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2 years ago

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Opinion  |  April 18, 2022
Christ is risen!
This the best tale ever instructed, an important tournament in human historical past, the central fact of the closing 2,000 years. It’s additionally a breaking tale and an ongoing revolution, as a result of Jesus remains to be alive and nonetheless reworking souls and entire societies.
The message of Easter is the gospel — the excellent news of the Messiah’s lifestyles, dying, resurrection and saving grace. Our activity, privilege, pleasure and command as believers is to ship it to each hungry center, each other people crew and each tradition in each and every era.
Erich Bridges
Stating the excellent news to the arena isn’t simply the aim of Christian venture; it’s the objective of the church. The one upper functions are worshiping God and loving God. The entirety else the church does follows and flows from those necessities. We like others as a result of God first liked us. We minister to the hurting and the deficient and protect the oppressed as a result of Christ liberated us from our personal bondage.
And relating to venture, there’s no time to waste in our era.
We don’t know when Christ will go back in glory. We do know {that a} new golden age of venture has been beneath means for many years. Masses of once-unreached other people teams on each continent now have thriving church buildings and disciples of their midst. The wildfire expansion of the church in China beneath communism is without doubt one of the nice tales of all venture historical past. Actions to Christ proceed to be reported around the Muslim and Hindu worlds.
Open doorways can shut at any second, on the other hand. Campaigns to persecute believers and shut church buildings have multiplied in China, India and the Heart East. Most likely essentially the most pressing activity of conventional missionary-sending church buildings within the West is to coach and equip indigenous leaders to proceed the paintings of evangelism and disciple-making in their very own cultures and past.
“You wouldn’t know all this is occurring in the event you concentrate to a lot of American Christian preaching, media and debate — irrespective of theological standpoint.”
However you wouldn’t know all this is occurring in the event you concentrate to a lot of American Christian preaching, media and debate — irrespective of theological standpoint.
To listen to some conservative U.S. church leaders inform it, our maximum pressing activity as Christians is to protect our borders from the sinister, most commonly dark-skinned immigrants and refugees seeking to get in. Or to defeat the evil Democrats and socialists who need to ruin our lifestyle. Or to prohibit books in class libraries that say one thing we predict is unsuitable, particularly if it comes to intercourse or gender. And heaven forbid we speak about the historical past of racism in The us. And hello, is authoritarianism in The us (or Russia) actually so dangerous?
Over at the liberal — sorry, “revolutionary” — aspect of the spectrum, 3 problems appear to take priority over all else: race, intercourse and gender. Race, intercourse and gender. Rinse. Repeat. Those are essential subjects — extraordinarily essential when it comes to race, taking into consideration the gap we nonetheless have to head in repenting of the previous and growing true racial equality in The us. However are they the one problems that fear the church? You may suppose so in the event you concentrate very lengthy to the revolutionary pulpit and browse revolutionary publications.
LGBTQ considerations particularly, which contain a relatively tiny proportion of the U.S. inhabitants (7.1%, in line with Gallup, which is double the estimate of just a decade in the past), occupy revolutionary minds day and evening. And there should be one thing unsuitable with somebody who does now not sign up for them in that preoccupation or accept as true with their conclusions, which roughly slavishly reflect the ones of the bigger tradition.
“Do you notice a similarity within the considerations that devour many of the oxygen on each ends of the spectrum? Scorching-button social problems.”
Do you notice a similarity within the considerations that devour many of the oxygen on each ends of the spectrum? Scorching-button social problems.
Once more, those problems — or a few of them, no less than — subject, and will have to be addressed through the church. None of them will have to be the overpowering obsession of the church in an international torn aside through poverty, starvation, battle, persecution, tyranny and above all, religious lostness. The excellent news of Christ crucified and resurrected for our salvation will have to be the main obsession of the church — and mentioning it in all places will have to be the church’s overriding venture and fervour.
So an epidemic on each your properties, I say, echoing deficient Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet.
Romeo’s unlucky buddy dies through the knife, killed whilst seeking to make peace between the 2 feuding households in Shakespeare’s tragedy. And the phrase is certainly “plague,” now not “pox” because it’s incessantly misquoted (see Act III, Scene 1), which makes the curse doubly becoming for our pandemic-ridden time.
An epidemic on you in the event you raise lesser considerations above the main venture of the church. An epidemic on you in the event you sprinkle somewhat holy water over your puppy political positions or social agendas and speak to them holy. And a double plague on you in the event you interact within the hypocrisy of condemning the opposite aspect for continuously jabbing scorching buttons whilst you do the similar.
Alternatively, I’m hoping this plague will heal you and convey you in your senses. Is racial equality essential to the Lord? Completely. Social justice? Maximum unquestionably. Sure. Empowerment of ladies? Ditto. Maintain the deficient, the unborn, the elderly, the disabled and the aged? Verily.
However Jesus refused to permit himself to be coopted through any political or theological faction all over his earthly ministry, and he transcends nationwide, parochial and cultural conflicts as of late. He’s Messiah and Lord of all. All knees will bow to him, however first all ears should pay attention of him.
Get ready the best way for his coming through spreading the excellent news to each country, tribe and tongue. The entirety else will practice.
Erich Bridges, a Baptist journalist for greater than 40 years, retired in 2016 as international correspondent for the Southern Baptist Conference’s Global Project Board. He lives in Richmond, Va.
 
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The Friend Who Sticks Closer than a Brother

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8 months ago

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August 27, 2023

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The Friend Who Sticks Closer than a Brother

Embracing True Friendship: The Friend Who Sticks Closer Than a Brother

Friendship is a valuable asset that enriches our lives by providing companionship, support, and a shoulder to cry on. But have you ever had a buddy who goes above and beyond—someone who remains closer than a brother? In a world where relationships can be fickle, a friend who sticks by us through thick and thin is a rare and priceless gift.

More Than Just Blood Ties

Consider the tie between siblings, which is based on blood and shared history. Consider a buddy who is more than just a family member. “One who has untrustworthy friends soon comes to ruin,” says Proverbs 18:24 (NIV), “but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

This verse describes a friendship that goes beyond basic conditions. It’s a bond founded on trust, loyalty, and real concern for one another.

Continuous Support

Consider a buddy who is present not only during happy times but also during difficult times. This type of friend is unconcerned about changing circumstances or personal gain. They provide their presence, encouragement, and steadfast support.

Jesus expresses the core of such friendship in John 15:13 (NIV): “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. This selfless affection serves as the foundation for a lasting connection.

Journeys Together

Consider a friend you’ve shared many stages of life with—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. This shared experience forges a link that extends beyond surface-level exchanges. The value of companionship is brilliantly captured in Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 (NIV): “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”

A friend who sticks closer than a brother is someone who goes beside us through life’s ups and downs, lending a solid hand and an ear to listen.

A Mirror of God’s Love

As a symbol of God’s love for us, consider the buddy who sticks closer than a brother. God Himself offers an unbroken, unchanging, and everlasting companionship. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” says the Bible in Romans 8:38–39.

God’s love is the ultimate paradigm of true friendship—a love that is not conditional but remains faithful regardless of what happens.

Conclusion: Value true friendship.

A friend who sticks closer to you than a sibling is a treasure to be treasured. This type of friendship is founded on love, trust, and mutual care rather than convenience or shared interests. May we seek to be that sort of friend to others in our lives, just as God offers us His unfailing love.

In a world where relationships can be fleeting, let us create friendships that will endure. Let us be the sort of friends who are present in both joy and sadness, who offer unconditional support, and who mirror God’s unfailing love. We are reminded of the beauty of true friendship, which clings closer than a brother, as we welcome and cherish these unique and valuable ties.

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God

The Just God

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8 months ago

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August 27, 2023

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The Just God

The Just God: The Divine Balance of Justice and Mercy

The concept of justice is intertwined with the fabric of human society. We seek justice, responsibility, and reparation for wrongs done. But have you ever pondered a God who is not only just but also perfectly just? The Just God is a lighthouse of truth and righteousness, providing a profound awareness of justice and kindness that transcends human comprehension.

Justice in Pursuit

Consider a world where wrongdoers go unpunished and the disadvantaged have no recourse. The pursuit of justice is a natural human goal that reflects a feeling of rightness and order. And if we as humans value justice, how much more should the Creator of the universe, who is completely just?

According to Deuteronomy 32:4 (NIV), “He is the rock; his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. He is a loyal God who does no wrong, who is straight and just. This verse reveals God’s character, which is characterized by unwavering justice.

Justice and Mercy in Balance

Consider yourself in front of a judge who holds you accountable for every action and decision you make. Imagine that same judge showing mercy and giving you a second opportunity despite the evidence against you. The just God is kind as well as just.

This delicate balance is captured in Psalm 103:10–11 (NIV): “He does not treat us as our sins deserve, nor does He repay us according to our iniquities. For his love for people who fear him is as high as the skies are above the earth. God’s justice is balanced by his unending love and kindness.

The Redemption of Justice

Consider a debt that you will never be able to repay—a debt of mistakes and wrongs that weigh heavy on your soul. In His perfect justice, the just God provides a solution. God provides a mechanism for justice to be served and redemption to be offered through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” says Romans 3:23–24 (NIV), “and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. This is an example of justice being met via the redemptive act of Christ’s sacrifice.

A Call to Justice

Consider a society in which justice is not simply a notion but a way of life. In our interactions with others, the just God calls us to exemplify justice. Micah 6:8 (NIV) states unequivocally, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. What does the Lord expect of you? Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”

Living justly entails treating people with fairness, compassion, and respect, as the character of the just God requires.

Finishing: Adoring the Just God

The Just God asks us to comprehend the breadth of His justice—a justice that supports truth, requires accountability, and strikes a balance between mercy and justice. God’s justice and mercy merge in the person of Jesus Christ, offering us redemption and restoration.

May we turn to the just God as our ultimate standard as we traverse a world that frequently grapples with issues of fairness. May we seek His wisdom and counsel in order to live justly and treat others with love and justice. We find not only a paradigm of perfect justice but also an invitation to experience the transformative power of His kindness when we embrace the Just God.

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The Pleasure of Serving Others: A Pathway to Achievement

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8 months ago

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August 26, 2023

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The Joy of Serving Others: A Pathway to Fulfillment

The Pleasure of Serving Others: A Highway to Contentment

Have you ever ever felt the nice and cozy glow that effects from lending a serving to hand to a stranger, the enjoyment that lasts for days after the act of kindness? That emotion offers a way of the pride of serving to others. The straightforward act of serving to can give us a sense of function and pleasure in contrast to the rest in a society that incessantly pushes us to place our consideration on ourselves.

The Want to Serve

Believe a society the place everybody labored to fortify the lives of people of their instant neighborhood. The need to lend a serving to hand, proportion a load, and supply comfort is on the core of carrier. The instance used to be established through Jesus Himself when he stated, “For even the Son of Guy didn’t come to be served, however to serve, and to provide his lifestyles as a ransom for plenty of.” (NIV, Mark 10:45)

Serving others is extra than just a nice deed; it is a way to emulate the compassion and love that Christ proven for us.

Discovering Pleasure in Selfless Giving

Believe spending time with the aged or going to a neighborhood refuge to hear their stories and cause them to really feel essential. Those tiny acts of kindness won’t appear to be a lot, however they be capable to make any person’s day higher, create relationships, and toughen a sense of group.

A better feeling of pleasure emerges after we set aside our personal issues and be aware of the wishes of others. The Bible admonishes us, “Every of you can use no matter present you’ve gotten won to serve others, as trustworthy stewards of God’s grace in its more than a few paperwork.” (NIV) 1 Peter 4:10 We specific the particular talents God has given us through serving others, and it’s in those deeds of carrier that we discover authentic pleasure.

Have an effect on Unmeasurable

Take into consideration the impact if all of us realized to experience serving to others. If we take a bit spoil from our tense schedules to lend a hand a neighbor, supply a sympathetic ear, or donate cash to a reason we reinforce. Small acts of kindness have the facility to unfold, sparking a sequence response of generosity and optimistic exchange.

In step with the NIV translation of Matthew 25:40, Jesus stated, “Actually I inform you, no matter you probably did for this sort of least of those brothers and sisters of mine, you probably did for me.” No longer simplest can we fortify the lives of other folks we serve, however we additionally perform Jesus’ command to like and deal with the ones round us.

Development Relationships and Connections

Believe the sensation of camaraderie that comes from cooperating with others to reach a shared purpose. Folks come in combination via carrier, growing ties and friendships that differently won’t have took place. It serves as a reminder that we’re all part of a broader group, and that group would possibly take pleasure in the acts we do.

Serving others permits us to peer the arena from many angles and to realize the demanding situations and victories of other folks round us. Our lives are enriched and {our relationships} are deepened through this sensitivity.

Conclusion: Discovering Contentment Via Carrier

Every people has a skill that is able to be opened: the pleasure of serving to others. It serves as a reminder that our lives are meant to be about extra than just our personal pursuits; they’re an opportunity to fortify the lives of others.

Let’s thus embody the pride of serving to others, if it is by means of deeds of kindness, volunteering, or simply being conscious about their wishes. The easy act of serving would possibly supply mild and hope in a global that every so often turns out overwhelming. As we emulate Christ and prolong ourselves in love, we no longer simplest exchange the lives of others but additionally revel in a deep feeling of success and enjoyment that overflows into our personal hearts.

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