God’s Truth
Hello COAH,
As I’m writing this pastoral letter, the tragic death of Charlie Kirk has been preoccupying my mind and time. I’ve been watching short videos of his debates. But also, have seen videos of him with his family. It’s heart-breaking that a husband and father of two was shot and murdered in broad daylight. But this is one of many things happening all around the world: school shootings, wars, drug and sex trafficking. Yesterday was the 24th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. It’s in moments and times like these, we try to understand and ask the question, “Why?”. And honestly, I don’t think we should pretend to know the answer(s). Only God knows. And especially in tragedy, that should bring us comfort. I was reading an article the other day and was reminded that we must go back to His Word and remember what God has said to help us navigate through horrific events.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” We are to persevere AND be renewed through trials. These verses call us to trust God at His Word by believing what He has said. It requires faith and our lives reflecting His truth.
So, what are God’s truth we must remind ourselves of? First, this world we live in is a fallen world. Evil exists. In Genesis 3, we see how sin corrupted God’s original design for creation. After Adam and Eve disobeyed God, everything became stained by sin, including us! All our thoughts, words, and actions are tainted by sin. Satan is the thief who comes to “steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). He will do whatever it takes to accomplish this. This world is fallen.
Second, though this world is fallen, God is sovereign and good. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” God was not blindsided by what happened this week. We may not understand it or have many questions that are unanswered. But we can trust that God is with us and is working. Consider this quote: “Never question in the dark what God has taught you in the light. Learn deeply all that He teaches us about His infinite wisdom, His immeasurable goodness, and His unmitigated sovereignty. When dark trials come, then your faith will have a sure foundation on which to rest.” God is sovereign and good.
Third, God is calling us to repent. In Luke 13:1-4, Jesus teaches us that we all need to repent: “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (vv.2-3). Brothers and sisters, we must examine ourselves and repent of our own sins. Why? Because we can see the reality and result of sin and wickedness in this world. But we need to see it even more clearly in our own lives. This is humbling: that the same sin that motivated those who killed Charlie Kirk is in the holiest of Christians. That is why we need our Saviour. That is why we need to repent every day.
Fourth, Jesus Christ has suffered once for all and paid for the penalty of our sin. Jesus took our sins on Himself. He endured God’s wrath against us. The wrath of God that we deserved has been taken away and paid for so that we can now live free forever. Full atonement has been made for our sins. Our salvation is secured because Christ died on the cross for us. God knew that Jesus would die. He sent His Son because He loved us (John 3:16). Jesus came because He loved us. So as we grieve tragedy like Charlie Kirk’s murder, as we think of his wife and children who suddenly lost their husband and father, we trust that He works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. And it is in Christ that we have hope.
Lastly, we must pray. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 says, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” We pray for world leaders. But we also pray for all people. So let us be reminded today the importance of prayer. Why do you pray? Because our only hope is God and what we need can only be supplied by God. Therefore, we get on our knees and cry out to our sovereign Lord for revival and that all people would be saved and come to the knowledge of Christ and truth. As we pray, we trust that God, in His sovereignty, will work for good.
COAH, may these truths challenge and encourage us. Let’s live according to God’s truth in a world that tells us otherwise.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim