Borders, Reuters, and The Gospel

Yesterday I went to Borders just to get a view of things. I wish I hadn't. I am astounded at the state of our culture. Tonight I spent some time ever so briefly on Reuters (I am not too fanatical about news) because someone told me that in order to address issues in our culture you have to know what is going on. Once again, I am astounded at the state of things.

Homosexuality is pressed harder and harder. Ted Haggard got lost in sin. Democrats rule the house and senate. Richard Dawkins and and company continue the assault on God. The evangelical church is in disrepair. Episcopalians have a woman bishop.

And despite how much I profess and try to love Jesus, I still have sin problems.

It is sometimes depressing to look on and think, "They are winning the battle, it doesn't matter how many debates or cogent clear arguments we makes, we will lose". We still haven't cured cancer, AIDS, World Poverty, or Sin and they look on and triumphantly say, "There. See where your God goes?" In the case of Haggard we now face a massive charge of hypocrisy.

"This is where the rubber meets the road" is what a good friend of mine Kyle Fink would say. This is where faith happens. This is where faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone proves the power of God. And what a glorious faith we have. Our God says,

"All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth." (Matthew 28:18)
"As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God" (Romans 14:11)
"Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, and there is no savior besides Me...even from eternity I am He, and there is none who can deliver out of My hand; I act and who can reverse it?" (Isaiah 43:10-13)
"He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation" (Acts 17:26)
"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principlaities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the Love of God, which is in Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)
"For the scripture says of Pharaoh, 'For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth." (Romans 9:17)
"Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy able to destroy soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28)

The gospel goes marching on. No Richard Dawkins, Homosexual liberal, Democratic house, or fallen pastor can stop it. Like an imminent sunrise or a charging army the gospel of our our Lord Jesus Christ continues. Let the scientists speculate, Jesus is still Lord over all. Hebrews 2:8-9 says,

"For in subjecting all things to [man] he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone"

The glory of God makes all the knowledge of Richard Dawkins look like a child's picture book. It makes all of the information trafficking on the Internet and television look like a half sentence in a library of books. It makes all things everywhere small and insignificant. And for us humans to look at that and say, "I'd rather not believe in you, you are too small" and elevate themselves to a heightened position where they decide what they do in the bedroom and with whom, and where they decide who fights what war, and where they decide their ultimate destiny, is ultimately just noise over a microphone. Never will it stand, never will it succeed. Jesus has won all and will continue to win all.

As He placed Pharaoh He will place democrats in the house, senate, and most likely the presidency. And for what? For His glory! Was Pharaoh a good guy? No! He was a dictator and a terrible person. Did God place Him? YES!

As He has appointed all men and their habitations and boundaries, He is due all respect. No power or principality can steal His glory. No power or principality can stop this gospel. Jesus will prevail and there will be a day when every knee bows and every tongue confesses Jesus is Lord whether they think they rule their eternal destiny or not. And then there will be judgment. Richard Dawkins will answer the Almighty and perish in eternal fire. We must not fear those who can kill the body, our God is far greater. Our Jesus is far greater.

Existing for His glory,
R.D. Thompson