Church, stand amazed

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I stand amazed at our world today as I wonder what direction we are headed and how long it will take us to get there. I stand amazed at the wonder of others in how we treat each other. I stand amazed at ourselves for not standing up for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and his word.

richard ray130Richard RayTitus 3:3-5 says: “At one time, we, too, were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”

These verses should remind us even when the world is acting foolishly and is disobedient and being deceived while serving the flesh and living in malice, envy and hate, God’s lovingkindness still appears. It seems we cannot see God’s lovingkindness because of the smoke of sin that clouds our world today. But rest assured, our Savior is standing ready to shower us with his mercy.

texas baptist voices right120Titus 3:8 adds: “This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”

I stand amazed by God’s grace and mercy. Mercy means not receiving what we deserve, while grace means receiving what we could never deserve. Therefore, I stand amazed at those who have accepted the grace and mercy of Christ’s salvation, yet they are careful not to let the world know.

If we desire to see the smoke of sin removed and hope restored in our world, we who have trusted God must devote ourselves to doing what is good. When God’s people do good, then those good deeds, those good words and those good actions will become excellent and profitable for everyone. Hope is restored and renewed when God’s people devote themselves to doing good.

Our Savior stands ready to shower this world with his lovingkindness through those who have trusted in Christ as Savior and Lord. Let the church stand amazed in the presence of Jesus Christ and proclaim just how marvelous, how wonderful our Savior’s love is. Let us stand amazed in Christ for the entire world to see, for these things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Remember, the Lord has called you to serve, but he has not called you to serve alone. Visit our website for more information on how the Bivocational/Small Church Association can minister and serve you. For more information, contact me at [email protected].

Richard Ray is executive director of the Bivocational/Small Church Association and director of missions for Tri-Rivers Baptist Area.


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