A World of Crisis
We are living in a globalized world in which modern technological advances in science, medicine, computer, and modernization of the world have tremendous effects on the lives of human beings. This globalization in the 21st century has not only brought changes in human thinking but has also changed the whole human race.
It wouldn’t be wide of the mark to say that we are victims of difficult, dangerous and different crises. We need to accept that this is a world of crisis. But in this patient and difficult world we must turn away from evil and do well, we must seek peace and present the Word of Life to others.
God’s Word is the solution to all these difficulties. In this ruined world only Jesus is our protector, leader, and shepherd.
It is true, in these days there are many crises and critical moments all around us:
Crisis times for countries and governments.L~
Today no nation or country is safe from the threat of international terrorism or global warming
Crisis in the scientific worldL~
Scientific wonders have arguably created a wall between humans and God for some. Humans are so proud of their developments that reaching to the moon can be seen as a human work and ability. But Paul stated,
“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise they became fools. “ (Romans 3: 21-22)
Crisis in daily family lifeL~
The breakdown in relationships has caused rifts and division in some families.
Crisis in moral life
L~
When parents have ignored their responsibilities towards their children it has caused some to lose their way in life.
Crisis in the world of educationL~
Relations between teachers and students is arguably characterised by a lack of respect for teachers as authority figures.
Crisis in religious lifeL~
We avoid saying ‘Alleluia’ in moments where praise is appropriate. Prayer meetings are thought to be just the duty of the elderly. Having no knowledge of the Bible is increasingly common. It seems in this country, in the markets, houses and churches where different preachers, parents, teachers and leaders were involved in sharing the Good News with others, now there is silence. Where are our Bible Schools and Summer Schools, where our ancestors served by teaching and giving the Good News? How blessed are our religious meetings?
Crisis in our churchesL~
The Prophet Jeremiah teaches us well:
~q‘This is what the Lord says, “stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancients paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls” But you said, “we will not walk in it”. (Jeremiah 6:16)q~
The Old path is worshipping the living God. This is the eternal way.
The New path is worshipping idols and turning away from God. This is the eternal death.
Rejecting the walk on ancient paths is also a crisis. In the New Testament the Church is given 4 titles:
~nnAn Assembly in the desert (Act 7:38)n~~nA Legal assembly (Act 19: 39)n~~nThe Body of Christ (Eph. 22: 23)n~~nThe Church of the Living God (1 Timothy. 3: 15)nn~
We feel and see crises around us but still stay silent and avoid doing anything.
But the big question is why we are in crisis today?L~
We have lost the message of the Early Church, Acts chapter 2 tells us that Peter had the power of the Holy Spirit in his message. It was a message of Messiah who is a complete human and a complete God, who was crucified, buried, and rose again. We can bring people to God through this message.
We have lost the fellowship of the Early Church, If we study Acts chapter 2, we learn from it what wonderful fellowship they had. The Christian fellowship is a fellowship of God’s family and now it’s our responsibility to involve others in our spiritual and physical blessings.
We have lost our authority, In one beautiful example in Acts chapter 3, Peter and John were going towards the temple and found a beggar who was crippled from birth. When the man asked them for money but Peter replied, “silver or gold I don’t have, what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, WALK”.
It is true, in our day-to-day life we face a world of hatred, individualism, fundamentalism, racism, wars, killing, bomb blasts, gunshots and so on. In this whole situation God still provides us his bountiful love and strength to commit ourselves totally to his will and bring the kingdom that is promised to us, bring it on Earth and make it a place of love, unity and prosperity where Christian values become part of the human family and the message of peace and justice and harmony may prevail upon our lives.
Now it is our responsibility and duty as Christians to serve our God with total dedication and with glad and free hearts to consecrate ourselves to God and to do his will. This demands a total commitment from us all to be faithful to our call as Christians and to do as Jesus announced in his mission statement in the Gospel of Luke chapter 4: 16-24.
Today the worldwide Churches need to adopt the teaching of the Early Church, the message of the Early Church, the holiness of the Early Church, the fellowship of the Early Church and the authority of the Early Church.
We should look for the right path that we have lost. In our fight against these crises, we can confidently walk with Jesus because he has promised “I am with you always to the very end of the age”.