Pastor's Note
WE BEHELD HIS GLORY
PermalinkSome atheists have been putting up billboards around town, busily trying to bah humbug Christmas. It's a curious thing, finding one's identity in a disbelief; thinking it important to dissuade others from faith. If they are right, what possible difference would it make what anyone thought. Or did, for that matter.
Nearly 40 years ago, Francis Schaeffer wrote these words: If man is not made in the image of God, nothing then stands in the way of inhumanity. There is no good reason why mankind should be perceived as special. Human life is cheapened. We can see this in many of the major issues being debated in our society today: abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, the increase of child abuse and violence of all kinds, pornography, the routine torture of political prisoners in many parts of the world, the crime explosion, and the random violence which surrounds us.
I'm happy that these folks are using their resources to start a conversation. Other faiths reject the idea that we are image bearers of God, and they might take violent offense to such messages, but I am encouraged that they continue to be bothered by the very possibility of a holy and righteous God. May we all revel in the deep truths of Christmas this year. God loves us so much that Jesus came to live among us. We beheld His glory. And He suffered and died on the cross that we might have life by trusting in Him. The answer to all of the upheaval around us (and in us!) lay in that manger long ago. Have a blessed Christmas season!
Nearly 40 years ago, Francis Schaeffer wrote these words: If man is not made in the image of God, nothing then stands in the way of inhumanity. There is no good reason why mankind should be perceived as special. Human life is cheapened. We can see this in many of the major issues being debated in our society today: abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, the increase of child abuse and violence of all kinds, pornography, the routine torture of political prisoners in many parts of the world, the crime explosion, and the random violence which surrounds us.
I'm happy that these folks are using their resources to start a conversation. Other faiths reject the idea that we are image bearers of God, and they might take violent offense to such messages, but I am encouraged that they continue to be bothered by the very possibility of a holy and righteous God. May we all revel in the deep truths of Christmas this year. God loves us so much that Jesus came to live among us. We beheld His glory. And He suffered and died on the cross that we might have life by trusting in Him. The answer to all of the upheaval around us (and in us!) lay in that manger long ago. Have a blessed Christmas season!