A Special Message: Our Only Hope

And then there is the disunity that is becoming more and more prevalent within the church over the wearing of masks. Really! There’s a world out there to evangelize, and we’re infighting about masks? Have we forgotten what Paul said about how to the weak he became weak (1 Corinthians 9:22), or for those who are strong in the faith how they are to bear with the failings of the weak, not condemn them (Romans 15:1)? And Jesus said not to judge others unless we want to be judged in the same way, in other words, we need to get the log out of our eye, before we get the speck of dust out to the other person’s eye (Matthew 7:1-5).

And so we need serious prayer for the church to stand up and be a voice like John the Baptist crying out, “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.” (Matthew 3:3)

If not, God’s judgment will be poured out beginning with the church, in order to show the world that God is a just God and will not permit ungodliness, no matter who it is from.

The Apostle Peter said, “For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17)

And so, the only hope for the world today is for the church to be the true representation of Jesus Christ in what is says, and then pray, not only for the world, but also for itself, that we would return to loving God with the whole of our being, and then to love our neighbors as ourselves.

James 1:27 says, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”

It’s a hope that would say with King David, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” And then the hope of God’s eternal life and joy at the end when he said, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:4, 6)

Therefore, if we want to see an end to this madness that has gripped the world, the madness that has been inspired by no one less than Satan, then what the Lord is calling for is repentance; repentance by the church, and repentance by this crazy mixed up and evil world.

The Lord says, “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die?” (Ezekiel 33:11)

Now consider God’s promise to the church and His people.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

And so, let’s pray for the Holy Spirit, the Breath of God to come and breathe life into His church today, so that we can make a difference in this world.

The Lord told Ezekiel to say, “Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.”