How is your spiritual hearing?
As I have been watching the news of the world’s disaster that a focused on Japan, I contemplate these things. Japan is less than 1% Christian. Everyone including missionaries are leaving Japan. Fear is growing in the world at the uncertain future. Is the worst past or is the worst yet to come? As I pray for Japan I keep hearing the cries of the hundreds of thousands. Some who have perished cry out and ask why no one told them about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Those who are survivors cry out tears of despair and hopelessness. I wonder how many hear those cries.
What is the answer that the church will give? I cannot get to Japan right now. So I pray. But here in my nation, the fears of radiation are starting to trickle in and I wonder how the church will respond. Do we hear the fear and the uncertainty of the people around us? Do we hear the questions in the hearts of people wondering how to live for the future? And then the question is do we hear God accurately?
Here is the reality. Without Jesus no one goes to heaven. A lot of good and moral people died and they never heard about Jesus. A lot of good and moral people are suffering and no one is telling them about Jesus. In my nation all around me, most people do not having a living and real relationship with Jesus. Their religious behaviors and traditions do not have to power to comfort, heal, or provide supernaturally for their needs. Only when our eyes are on Jesus, God and God’s son and on Him alone, can we draw close enough to receive provision from His hand.
We are commanded by Jesus to preach the Gospel, to heal the sick, to cast out demons and to raise the dead. We are told that we will do greater things than Jesus because we are filled with the Holy Spirit. How filled are we? Do we have the strength that in a time of disaster and hopelessness we have a Word of Hope and healing? Can we proclaim the goodness of God when fear surrounds us? What message of Hope can we bring to the suffering? When tumult and turmoil surround us, will we be able to preach “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV) And the question comes back to this: Can you hear spiritually? Do you hear the cries of the lost all around you? Or do you alone hear your own heart walking in fear and seeking to provide for yourself and your family?
I am issuing a call for the church to arise. Now is the time for us to be bold. Now is the time for us to “”Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. ” (Isaiah 60:1–3, NIV)
I hear the cries of lost. “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. ” (2 Corinthians 5:14, NIV) I must preach. “Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! ” (1 Corinthians 9:16, NIV)
I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. ” (John 4:35, NIV84) Open your ears and hear the cries of the lost. Open your ears and hear the heart and Love of God. This season can become the church’s finest hour.
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
