Well happy new year! You have got to love January. Things are not quite as busy in Australia, as they are elsewhere in the world. It’s the middle of summer, it’s stinking hot and half the population are the beach. Everyone is just a little more relaxed and optimistic.
Afterall it is a New Year—whatever happened in 2018 has happened, you cannot change it and you have a fresh start. You can now write a new story.
What story will your write? Will you have a new year’s resolution? Are there certain changes in your life that you wish to make? What would you do differently this year?
Christians are in a privileged position in that through the Grace of God we have authority to take root and to take position of whatever sphere we find ourselves in.
So what does that look like?
One of the last things Jesus told his disciples was: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew chapter 28 verses 18 and 19, NIV).
He is basically saying that the same power that is in me is also in you, meaning that Christians have the authority to make a difference in their sphere but only through the Grace of God, not because we are anything special but simply because we are connected to a higher power than ourselves who freely lavishes his grace and love on us.
It is a privilege we must never take for granted
Life is a gift and we have authority to be influencers in our sphere and with that comes a responsibility.
The responsibility is that when we see a need we must use what we have to inspire change.
One of the needs I see is that our culture is driven by narcissism.
You only have to look at Instagram and all these selfies and pictures of people’s holidays and beautiful children to know we are in a narcissistic culture.
But why do we feel the need to impress our peers?
Well I reckon most people do not realise how loved by God they are.
I love Romans chapter five verses nine and ten:
“ Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (NIV)
We need to proclaim this message everywhere!
This message needs to be heard in our high schools, hospitals, in our cities, in the country, everywhere we go.
How would our society look if everyone knew this truth, that you are justified not because you have done anything but because Jesus paid it all?
You are now reconciled to him and how much more will you be reconciled now you are a friend of God.
In our narcissistic culture that values such temporary things, it is so liberating to know that through grace and relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ that you are justified before the King of all Kings.
You don’t have to worry about your peers, you can rest comfortably in the knowledge that the King of all Kings has your back and is on your side.
It really is the most important message we can proclaim.
Ben Kruzins is the Campus Pastor of The Hub Baptist Church in Ocean Shores on the North Coast of New South Wales. He is also a Journalism graduate who has written articles in The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald.
Ben Kruzins is the Campus Pastor of The Hub Baptist Church in Ocean Shores on the North Coast of New South Wales. He is also a Journalism graduate who has written articles in The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald.