Doing a New Thing

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

– Isaiah 43:19

What is it that every Bible-believing church in the world will celebrate this weekend — and every weekend to come?

It’s the radical notion that God loves his creation so much that he sent his only Son to personally pay for the mess we’ve all made of our lives and a once unspoiled creation. With this immense price now cleared from our individual accounts, every believer — through faith in Jesus Christ — is free to serve as his hands and feet throughout the community and even the world.

Of course, Christ-followers are in a predicament these days. Relativism rules America, and that which is obviously right or wrong is no longer considered so black and white. Popular culture brands those who believe in Jesus and his teachings as old-fashioned and intolerant. And those who dare to point out our nation’s retreat from God are labeled as bigots, hate-mongers or similar insults. 

The world really is upside down. For example, it’s actually a career move for many celebrities, musicians and sports stars when they break the law and go to jail. But if a Christ-follower — real or in name only — slips up and does something wrong, the word hypocrite quickly follows through the media.

Of course, Christ-followers should be happy to plead guilty to holding some narrow and politically incorrect beliefs. One is that Jesus is the one and only way to God. Ultimately, the world’s false philosophies and religions fall far short of our Creator’s standards. And that’s Good News that the world curses and can’t tolerate. 

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,” responds God, “who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”

Although there’s bad news all around us, it’s particularly reassuring to know that God continues to do a new thing in our community through his followers. Jesus encourages Believers like you and me to continue being beacons of light to a distorted world in need of guidance, truth and character. People are watching to see if our words match our deeds. May it be that we celebrate the Good News of Christ through changed lives marked with love in action!