OPINION:
The last 365 days have been tough on all of us. As Americans, as global citizens, and simply as humans with a sin nature, we have struggled with all kinds of issues – social and personal.
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It wasn’t for a lack of effort towards normality that, at times, we were unable to be well, stay calm, or be at peace. In 2023, we tried all kinds of things to keep out of the fray. We went outside the house, took better supplements, became a prepper, and maybe even went off grid – for at least a while.
In a sermon given in the mid-1950s, renowned author A.W. Tozer could have been preaching to us as we head into the new year.
Tozer said, “Now into the world of complex religious observations, a sort of religious jungle where though the sun shone brightly, it was prevented from being affected by the very multiplicity of duties and rituals and observations laid upon the people. And into the midst of all this came the Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world, and He shone brightly there. He was to be God’s salvation. He was to be God’s cure, the cure for all that was wrong with the human race. And He came to deliver us from our moral and spiritual disorders. …He came also to deliver us from our physical world in that day when our Lord comes and our bodies are glorified.”
He continues, “And then He came to deliver us also from our remedies. One of the heaviest burdens that has ever been laid upon the human race is religious burden. And it is a self-medicating burden. It is an effort on the part of men who are conscious of their moral and spiritual disorders, to medicate themselves and get better by their own treatment.”
Generally stating, 2024 doesn’t look to be any better for the world. One quick look at the headlines and it’s evident that bad news isn’t trending downward. However, there is hope and a future with Jesus Christ.
Later in his sermon, Tozer declared, “But Jesus stood in the midst and He was their everything and their all, and He still is. So that’s good news for the sin-tired, good news for the defeated, good news for the fatigued and morally distressed, good news for those who are afraid, good news for those who know their own pollution. Good news, for He shall be called Jesus, for He shall deliver people from their sins.”
The cure for 2024? The good news: Jesus Christ.
Below is some encouraging scripture as we head into the new year.
“Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, ‘Peace to you.’” – Luke 24:36
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
“But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.” – Romans 6:17
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” – Philippians 4:6-9
“Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.’” – Luke 7:22-23
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Alex Murashko is a journalist and the writing team leader for Think Eternity, a site for powerful faith content to help you live the fulfilled life in Jesus. Connect: @AlexMurashko.
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