Don't worry, be happy!

“This storm will slow and when it hits it will be no more than a category 1 hurricane, but probably just a tropical storm.”  This is what the news was telling the people in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Boca Raton area about Hurricane Wilma as it was traveling across the peninsula toward them.  The area was hit with 110 mph winds by the right or ‘dirty’ side of the hurricane and is said to be the most powerful hurricane to hit Ft. Lauderdale in 50 years.  When I ponder this I think to myself that this is a lot like our world and many churches as they preach the Word of God.  “Don’t worry about the dangers of sin or bringing any change in your life, but God wants to save ‘everyone’ and that is the purpose of Jesus Christ.  Let us welcome everyone with open arms and never speak a message that may offend or confront them in their sin!”  It troubles me because we are not preaching the truth, but only half truths.  What must be has been done for us in Jesus Christ and that is the main truth that in our faith in Jesus Christ we are redeemed, but the question is this ‘Do you truly believe?’  Do you believe in Jesus Christ as Lord in your life?  When you believe this profound changes occur in your life it is inevitable.  It may not be all at once, but things will be different.  The message of love needs to be given, but within the Gospel the Law is always present.  Why would we need Christ unless we were sinful and falling short of the glory of God?  That is the Law within the Gospel.  We are saved in Jesus Christ, but our hearts must belong to Him and not to the other idols we build up!  So may the Lord strengthen all in their faith and may they turn to Christ for all salvation!