By Lance Stevens
My prayer is that you will find hope, encouragement and a sense of peace in this trying time in which we live today.
I don’t know about you, but there are times I have to turn off the news and walk away from Facebook, as I see and hear the things taking place in our country. Never in my lifetime have I seen so much division and moral decay, but friend, my hope, encouragement and peace does not come from this world. I firmly believe that you and I are seeing the Bible, the infallible Word of God, being unfolded before our very eyes.
Some may say, “I don’t believe in God or His Word.” You have that choice, but that does not change what He said. Each of us will stand before Him and give account of our life here on earth.
“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:12-15).
Those of us who have believed, repented of our sin trusting in Jesus Christ alone for our salvation, having been “born again,” will stand before Him at the Judgement seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). Peace comes only through your relationship with Jesus Christ.
Sadly, many strive for peace by other means, which cannot and will not fulfill the human heart. I know this because God had to reach way down to get me to look up. Broken relationships, alcohol — I was looking everywhere for peace and happiness this world offers, when God at the same time was drawing me, saying, “Look to my Son” (John 6:37).
The Bible plainly tells us, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me; You will stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand will save me” (Psalm 138:7).
What’s wrong with God telling us in His Word: thou shalt not have any other God’s before Me, thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal? It seems to me that if we would follow what He said, this world would be a lot better place. Look over these commandments and answer honestly, “Have I done these things”?
I am simply writing what the Bible said; if you were to stand before the Lord this day, would you be innocent or guilty?
I asked this question a long time ago, and I confessed that I was guilty. I knew that if I were to die that very hour I would split hell wide open, no question about it. I knew it said in the Bible that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. Peace was never farther from me than at the moment I realized this.
Maybe you are there right now. Maybe your heart has convicted you today, maybe the tears of your guilt have flooded your eyes. As the guilt of sin weighs heavy on your shoulders, look up! Confess that you have sinned against God then cry out for the forgiveness and salvation that only Jesus Christ can give. He paid your sin debt on the cross. He suffered and died so that you wouldn’t have to.
We each individually must believe and accept the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus as the payment to God for what we have done, by faith. When one asks for God’s forgiveness and salvation there will be a change in your heart. You will want to turn away from the lifestyle you have been living and commit your life to serving Jesus Christ.
This is the only true way to find hope, encouragement and peace. My prayer is that you heed God’s call to you.
