Is there equality? (18 May 2014)

There once was a conversation between two friends. The first one casually mentioned, “This singer is very good looking, but he cannot sing. God is fair.” Now, how many of us agree with this statement?

Consider the child born to a mother infected with Aids. Has the child done anything to inherit a death sentence even before he is born? Consider the refugees in war torn states where they have to uproot their entire villages just to escape death? Consider a typical Singaporean child being able to attend school and not worrying whether there will be food on the table. If we consider the sufferings of the less fortunate and the blessings many of us enjoy, we will surely struggle to believe that the world is fair.

We see injustice everywhere we turn. The law many believe in does not deliver the fairness it is supposed to. Some even see the law as a tool to be exploited to advance their self-centered agendas. Many suffer injustice with no one to help them redress.

Life is certainly not fair, but we believe God is.

There are two equalities in life, the first is that all men must die. Even the richest men with access to the most advanced medicine will die. Well, only two men were recorded in the Bible to have escaped death (Enoch and Elijah). However, God’s Word says, “just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Heb 9:27). We all must die. You have just one life. How you choose to spend it will be your choice. You may not have control over how much time you spend on this earth but you will certainly be called to choose between God and this world. Choose God.

The second equality is that everyone has access to salvation in Jesus Christ.  “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to ALL people” (Titus 2:11). Regardless of your race and social status, Christ’s salvation is for you. You may now enter into the presence of God the Almighty because of the work of his son. This is the divine grace that baffles the wise and bewilders the learned, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor 1:18).

Now that we have received this gift of salvation despite our unworthiness, what should we do about it? Do we keep it hidden in our hearts? No! We should proclaim it. If we believe that Christ died for all, then all should hear of his salvation even if we think they may reject it. The Holy Spirit is the one who convicts men of sin not us. In John 16:8 it says, “And He (the Holy Spirit), when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” Our role is simply to proclaim Christ and to tell of his work on the cross. Do you have family and friends who need Christ in their lives? Do take time to pray for them and ask God to grant you opportunities to share the good news of the cross to them.

In Micah 6:8 it says,

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.”

We have received his grace and mercy, and we have but one life to live. Let’s make use of the time given to us to serve him and invite others to join us in serving this King who is just and will one day come back to judge the earth.

 

Brother Xie Zheng Yang