History 101

When Paul arrived in Athens, the intellectual center of the Roman Empire, he--a scholar himself--was not impressed by how much these intellectuals knew, but rather appalled at how little they knew of what was important. He, of course, tried to strike up a conversation with anyone who would listen. Eventually, they asked him to share his "new" idea with them.

So, he told them the old, old story. First, he forced them to acknowledge their fear. They had an idol for every god they could think of, and just in case, one for a god they didn't know about. Their motto: "Let's keep all the gods happy; Can't give them an excuse to lower the boom on us." Abject fear and insecurity.

Then, he introduced them to the one true God--the Creator of--and thus, Lord over--the universe--the heavens and the earth. The God who had created mankind in His likeness--His image. This God was the Sovereign of human history. Not one nation had ever come into existence without His making it so. And He was the God who was hands-on in history. Whatever happened was under His control and had a majestic purpose. Peace, war, oppression, liberty, justice, pandemic all were designed by Him to cause men and nations to seek Him. If they would do that--even as they were groping around in the dark--He would find them. And how inane it was to have been made in His image and then try to make Him into an image. The meaning of history is that God is seeking to save those that are lost.

And why is that so important to Him? History is going to end with a day of judgement. The date is already settled. Those who refuse to repent will be eternally judged by the One who gave His life to redeem and save them--the One who has conquered death so that those who seek Him and are found will never die.

How did they respond to that marvelous history lesson? Some mocked--"the preaching of the cross is to those that perish foolishness." Some said, we'll talk about this again--later. I pray they did. Some believed--were no longer lost in the darkness but found, and transferred into the Kingdom of Light.

And you? Going to keep living in fear and of dying a physical death? Going to continue to be overwhelmed by a world that seems to have no meaning or purpose? Going to refuse to acknowledge your need of the Savior and thus, face eternal death--professing how wise you are until it's too late to escape the day of judgement? There will be no mocking or sneering on that day.

The Creator King of the Universe has swallowed up death in victory; has provided justification, redemption, forgiveness for those who repent of their own self-righteousness and trust in Him. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved."