A university student was seen with a large "K" printed on his T- shirt. When someone asked him what the "K" stood for, he said, "Confused." "But," the questioner replied, "you don't spell "confused" with a "K." The student answered, "You don't know how confused I am." (Source Unknown)
Are believers confused about their lives?
On January 22, 1973 the US Supreme Court legalized abortion. On January 22, 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated that day as National Sanctity of Life Day. According to the “Care Net of Puget Sound: Pregnancy & Family Services” more than 59 million helpless babies have lost their lives -- since 1973’s Roe vs. Wade ruling – through the legal process of abortion. Today,
more than 1 in 5 pregnancies end in abortion.
1 in 10 American women will have an abortion by the age of 20.
1 in 4 American women will have an abortion by age 30.
3 in 10 American women will have an abortion by the age of 45.
Nationally, 30% of women obtaining abortions identify as Protestant and 24% identify as Catholic. These may not know the gospel; however, they do identify with denominations that understand the clarity of “Thou shalt not kill.”
Do we truly understand this life God entrusted to us? We must return to THE right understanding of our lives before God. To do that, we need to remind ourselves about the character of God.
LOVING - Ephesians 2:4-7
The story of is told of a girl who regretted breaking her engagement and wrote this letter:
“Dearest Tommy, No words could ever express the great unhappiness I’ve felt since breaking our engagement. Please say you’ll take me back. No one could ever take your place in my heart, so please forgive me. I love you, I love you, I love you! I love you!” Yours forever, Marie
PS: And congratulations on winning the state lottery.
In contrast, God’s love is: sacrificial, faithful, and directed at you and me!
o “rich in mercy” – 2:4 – not stingy. Generous. Abundant. We have a high demand for mercy, but God’s mercy ever flowing.
o “dead in sins” – 2:5 – there are no secrets with God. He has seen you and me at our worst, but He still stirred our hearts to be drawn to Him.
o “raised us up…sit together in heavenly places” - 2:6 – God didn’t leave us where He found us. We come to Jesus just as we are, but we leave that meeting like we have never been!
o “ages to come…His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” – 2:7 – this isn’t a Band-Aid or temporary solution for a devastating problem. God’s plan was to shower all of His creation with such grace “in the ages to come” so all would know the depth of the riches of His grace. How? …through His kindness directed to you and me through Jesus.
GIVING – Ephesians 2:8-9
An American Express survey about Christmas gifts found that fruitcake was chosen most often (31%) from a list of “worst” holiday gifts. It even finished ahead of “no gift at all.” When asked how to dispose of a bad gift, 30% of those surveyed said they would hide it in the closet, 21% would return it, and 19% would give it away. (Source: Unknown)
Good news! God has given the best gift ever! God wants to save you. It’s all God’s doing. You and I had nothing to do with it.
o Jesus lived on earth without sin…we all have sinned. Eccl. 7:20; Rom. 3:23
o Jesus willingly yielded to God’s will…we often fight God’s will. We often want the controls and are unwilling to yield to God. Lk. 22:42
o Jesus endured the pain of the cross…we endure the pains of this sin cursed earth.
o Jesus gave up His life so that we might all live. Forgiveness of sin and a home in heaven is possible; however, it came at a great cost -- everything of great value costs something of great value. Jesus shed His blood to cover our sin! …like any gift, we must accept it as our own.
GUIDING – Ephesians 2:10
We are the work of God. Believers are revived to serve God. This was God’s plan long ago!
God loves you. God gives to you. God guides you. Does this all sound like:
God doesn’t care about you?!
My life or the life of others doesn’t matter?!
My life has no point?! Of course not!
5 things about life to never forget:
1. God loves YOU so much that He died for you (John 3:16-18). That’s how important he considers your life! The all-knowing God sees YOUR life so important that He sacrificed greatly for YOU.
2. God knows YOU so intimately that He guides you (Prov. 19:21). God knew that your life would involve hard things. He knew it would be a struggle at times. He knew you would need guidance. So, the all-knowing God has given us all:
The Bible that brings clarity, wisdom, guidance
Friends & family that bring encouragement & help
Godly counselors that bring further wisdom and discernment
Prayer that brings peace, rest, and great power
Laughter that heals like medicine
3. God is so good that He gives you extravagant gifts. Think about the God’s extravagant gifts for a moment: Salvation (and heaven in the future) (Jn. 5:24), the Holy Spirit dwelling in you (Jn. 14:26), prayer (Jer. 33:3), His presence (Heb. 13:5), His power (Phil.4:13), and so much more!
4. God wants the best for you that He calls you to Himself. We are created to good works (Eph. 2:10). We are to be holy (I Pet. 1:15)…follow His example…run to Jesus! Guarding our thoughts will impact our desires, our choices, and our actions – it will help us honor life.
5. God not only blesses your life with His love, guidance, and gifts…but He also blesses all humanity in like fashion! God honors all life that He has given to all humanity. Do we? Do we lift others “not like us” up as ones having been created in the image of God? Do we lift up:
The handicapped child with down syndrome
The Alzheimer’s patient
The baby in a mother’s womb
The widows and widowers
The foster child
The senior citizen who has out-lived expectations
The person with a devastating illness
The blind, the deaf, the dumb
The drunk, the drug addict, the prostitute
The poor, the rich, the needy
God wants us to honor life…to honor all humanity made in His image! God honors the life of all his creation. We are even instructed in scripture to:
…honor the gray headed man…or not take life from what we consider no longer useful (Prov. 16:31)
…not take life and commit murder (abortion) (Ex. 20:13)
…remember God knows us from the womb to the grave (Ps. 127:3-5; 139:13)
A worried woman sought the help of her gynecologist in securing an abortion. She explained that she was desperate because she already had a child that was not yet one. The doctor thought for a moment and then suggested what he believed to be a better alternative. He noted his plan would be healthier for her body and make her life less stressful. He then blurted out, “If we’re going to kill one child, let’s kill the baby you already have. It will be safer on your body and it will give you several months to get rested up before taking on all of the responsibilities of being a new mother.” She was horrified by the doctor’s recommendation and told him so. She reminded him that it was a crime to kill a child and drew back from the man she thought she could trust. He relaxed his posture and then said he agreed. He had graphically communicated a terrible truth that eludes so many. Though harsh and abrasive, his strategy not only saved the life of an unborn child, but it redeemed the life of a woman who was about to make a tragic mistake, which she would never forget and always regret. (Source: Unknown)
Honor God and His creation! YOU and I are loved. YOU and I are blessed with Divine gifts. YOU and I are even guided along life’s journey. Sharpen your view on God’s view. May we all find great peace and point those around us to great peace – when we embrace God’s view for our lives!