When reading the latest breaking news, one can get lulled into a mode of "man, this world is hopeless" kind of thinking. But is it? No. All Christians know it is not. But when reading the news, how do we interpret it? Here are some of my interpretations:
1) This first news item is this: "Long Umbrella thought to be Gun leads to School Lock Down." This occurred in Vermont. Someone saw another person carrying what was thought could be a long gun near the school. So the school went into full lock down. They found the person and discovered he was only carrying a long umbrella. Yes, it is better to be safe than sorry. And when it comes to school safety we must take every threat seriously. Every life is precious and must be protected. This is universally agreed upon by all people. How we do that is not agreed upon, but keeping our kids safe? We must keep them safe.
Physically we do that. But what about spiritually?
The Bible teaches us that salvation is a "gift from God" (Eph 2:8-9) and not of ourselves. It speaks of believing in and receiving the name of Jesus as Savior and Lord to become a child of God (John 1:12) and that whoever believes in Jesus will be saved (John 3:16 and Acts 4:12). We are aware of the physical dangers within our world, and aim to protect our children from them. Which is what we should do.
But what are we as Christian parents doing to protect our children spiritually? Our school have fire drills and intruder drills during the year. Some have metal detectors. Others have armed guards. We want to protect our kids from harm. And this good. We should want to protect them from evil in their 80 plus years of life on this earth. But what are we doing for their eternity? Are they training to live like Jesus? To think like Jesus? To make decisions like Jesus? To have faith like Jesus?
Romans 8:29 ... "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son ... "
2) The second news item is the death of John McCain. I do not have a specific link to any one article, as there are too many to list. I am sure you have heard and read about how he is an American "Hero. " He served in Vietnam, suffered as a POW for several years, and then served for many years as a Senator from Arizona.
Sometimes it seems like the word hero is thrown around a little too carelessly or quickly. So, upon hearing this of John McCain, it seems like a good time to consider, what does the Bible have to say about a "hero"?
John 15:13 ... "Greater love has no one than this: that he lay down his life for his friends." Jesus is of course the ultimate example of this love, and I would say with great confidence is a hero (beyond hero actually, but you get the idea).
McCain served in Vietnam in defense of the South Vietnamese people in attempting to stop the takeover of the nation by the Communist government of the North. Sadly, we were not successful. This led to much suffering. McCain willingly put his life in harms way to try and help the people of South Vietnam. No, he did not die. But he suffered freely. Not that he wanted to suffer. But he was willing to put himself in that position.
I think that falls under the definition of hero.
But we must not forget, no matter how great a hero, we all need the greatest who laid His life down to save us from our sin. McCain can rightfully be called an American hero, but don't forget he needed Jesus too. Jesus is the one we all need. Without Him there is no salvation; no forgiveness; no life, no hope. Jesus is the ultimate "hero," or better, Savior and Lord.
1) This first news item is this: "Long Umbrella thought to be Gun leads to School Lock Down." This occurred in Vermont. Someone saw another person carrying what was thought could be a long gun near the school. So the school went into full lock down. They found the person and discovered he was only carrying a long umbrella. Yes, it is better to be safe than sorry. And when it comes to school safety we must take every threat seriously. Every life is precious and must be protected. This is universally agreed upon by all people. How we do that is not agreed upon, but keeping our kids safe? We must keep them safe.
Physically we do that. But what about spiritually?
The Bible teaches us that salvation is a "gift from God" (Eph 2:8-9) and not of ourselves. It speaks of believing in and receiving the name of Jesus as Savior and Lord to become a child of God (John 1:12) and that whoever believes in Jesus will be saved (John 3:16 and Acts 4:12). We are aware of the physical dangers within our world, and aim to protect our children from them. Which is what we should do.
But what are we as Christian parents doing to protect our children spiritually? Our school have fire drills and intruder drills during the year. Some have metal detectors. Others have armed guards. We want to protect our kids from harm. And this good. We should want to protect them from evil in their 80 plus years of life on this earth. But what are we doing for their eternity? Are they training to live like Jesus? To think like Jesus? To make decisions like Jesus? To have faith like Jesus?
Romans 8:29 ... "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son ... "
2) The second news item is the death of John McCain. I do not have a specific link to any one article, as there are too many to list. I am sure you have heard and read about how he is an American "Hero. " He served in Vietnam, suffered as a POW for several years, and then served for many years as a Senator from Arizona.
Sometimes it seems like the word hero is thrown around a little too carelessly or quickly. So, upon hearing this of John McCain, it seems like a good time to consider, what does the Bible have to say about a "hero"?
John 15:13 ... "Greater love has no one than this: that he lay down his life for his friends." Jesus is of course the ultimate example of this love, and I would say with great confidence is a hero (beyond hero actually, but you get the idea).
McCain served in Vietnam in defense of the South Vietnamese people in attempting to stop the takeover of the nation by the Communist government of the North. Sadly, we were not successful. This led to much suffering. McCain willingly put his life in harms way to try and help the people of South Vietnam. No, he did not die. But he suffered freely. Not that he wanted to suffer. But he was willing to put himself in that position.
I think that falls under the definition of hero.
But we must not forget, no matter how great a hero, we all need the greatest who laid His life down to save us from our sin. McCain can rightfully be called an American hero, but don't forget he needed Jesus too. Jesus is the one we all need. Without Him there is no salvation; no forgiveness; no life, no hope. Jesus is the ultimate "hero," or better, Savior and Lord.
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