Can you remember where you where on September 11th, 2001?   I do.  I was actually in front of the T.V. watching it unfold.   When the first tower was struck, I thought  “what an awful accident.”  But after the second tower was struck, and then the Pentagon - it was obvious this was not an accident.  Some said, and say, that this was part of God’s judgment on America.  I do not believe that.  I believe all that has, and that is continuing to go on, be it terrorism or natural disasters is the manifestation of a fallen world and at its very root is - sin.  God judged sin at Calvary.  The bible says, “…He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (turning away of wrath by an offering) for our sins.” (cf. 1 John 4: 10)  Mankind though is still capable of committing hideous atrocities without Christ. We are still living in a time of Grace and Mercy.  Grace gives us what we do not deserve (heaven).   Mercy delivers us from what we do deserve (hell).  Jesus said, “… I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My Words, has that which judges him - the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” (cf. John 12:47) 

There is coming a day though, the Bible warns, that He will Judge.  A day when Grace and Mercy will cease.  A day when the Bible says the small and great will stand before God, and the books will be opened - “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (cf. Revelation 20: 11-15)  How does your name get into the Book?  By receiving Jesus Christ by faith, as your personal Savior and Lord (see Romans 10:9-10).  “For whosever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”  Jesus wants to be your Savior.  If not - He will be your Judge.  Only those in the Book of Life will escape God’s eternal Judgement.

In His Service,

Pastor Rodney