January 27, 2003
TOGETHER:
Carter compels Christians to serve
___Former President Jimmy Carter accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway, Dec. 10. He is the first Baptist to receive that honor since Martin Luther King Jr. Both men faced opposition as they worked for justice and peace.
___My first memory of Jimmy Carter was hearing him share his testimony at an Oklahoma Baptist Men's meeting before he ran for president. He grew up in church and made a commitment to Christ as a boy. But it was an experience on a mission trip that turned his life from nominal commitment to a profound spiritual journey in Christ.
| |
CHARLES WADE
Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board
|
___He testified that a question raised in a sermon shook him into a redirection of his life. The preacher asked: "If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" This Baptist young man could not get away from the penetrating implications of that challenge.
___The world is a better place because of that pastor's sermon. Jimmy Carter served Georgia and the United States with uncommon integrity and character. After leaving the White House in 1981, he continued to serve God through his hands-on leadership in Habitat for Humanity and teaching Sunday School in his home church in Plains, Ga. He and his wife, Rosalynn, have become ambassadors for peace and conflict resolution through the Carter Center in Atlanta.
___He has authored several books. His faith comes through in all of them. He begins "Living Faith" by sharing the plan of salvation, concluding the book's introduction with this: "The simple but profound fact is that our lives can be changed--beginning now--by professing our faith in Jesus Christ."
___Denton Lotz, a friend of the former president and executive director of the Baptist World Alliance, wrote recently about Jimmy Carter: "He has made a difference for justice and peace! Carter has made Christ and his words the center of his life, 'Blessed are the peacemakers.'"
___In his Nobel laureate address, Jimmy Carter spoke passionately about American principles: "Constrained and inspired by historic constitutional principles, our nation has endeavored for more than 200 years to follow the now almost universal ideals of freedom, human rights, and justice for all." I encourage you to read the entire speech at www.nobel.no/eng_lect_2002b.html.
___Near the conclusion of his Nobel address, former President Carter testified: "I worship Jesus Christ, whom we Christians consider to be the Prince of Peace." He acknowledged the theological differences among religions and the fact that "cruel and inhuman acts can be derived from distorted theological beliefs." But he affirmed his conviction that "Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews and others can embrace each other in a common effort to alleviate human suffering and to espouse peace."
___Texas Baptists understand that. We want everyone, everywhere, to know Jesus Christ. We want all to come freely to Christ. But we coerce no one. We believe Jesus is the only complete answer to this world's need and the only Way of salvation. As followers of Christ, we look to others with love. Where we can, we seek to work with all people so that the creation God has trusted to us all will be bathed in peace and justice, love and respect. We want the whole world to know ...
___We are loved.
The Baptist Standard
News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!/ Signup for FirstLook
|