But what the world really needs is redemption

“. . . all things were created by Him, and for Him.” Colossians 1:16b.

Do you want to know the meaning of everything? It is Jesus only. You may think that is an overstatement. We live in a great big universe, billions of light years in expanse. And the Bible tells us that “all things were created by Him, and for Him” (Colossians 1:16).

There is nothing made that was not made by the Lord Jesus. The answer to creation is Jesus only. People say, “the world needs saving.” But what the world really needs is redemption. And where is redemption going to come from? Not from a creed, code, or cause, but Jesus only.

The entire universe, the plans of God, and the sweep of all the ages comes down to two words - Jesus only.

 Max Lucado has given an important insight into understanding this:

 

Three passengers share a row of seats in an airplane. As the plane is taxiing for takeoff, their conversation turns to the topic of the airplane pilot.

Stunningly, passenger “A” doesn’t believe one exists. “No one flies the plane. We are guided by a computer system in the terminal. This plane is an occupied drone.  Why should I believe otherwise? The cockpit door is closed. Who can know? There is no pilot.”

Passenger “B” disagrees. “Oh, there is a pilot. Someone sits at the controls of the plane. But, once we take off, he takes a nap. He gets the plane in the air and then goes to sleep.”

The third passenger is shocked by what she hears. “You don’t know what you are talking about. First, there is a pilot. Second, the pilot is alert, competent and kind. I know; he is my husband. He is seasoned and sensitive and has every intention of a successful flight. We are in good hands.”

Three passengers. Three opinions. A plane with no pilot. A plane with a disengaged pilot. A plane with a seasoned and concerned pilot. Fast forward a few minutes. Turbulence shakes the plane like popcorn in a paper bag. Will the three passengers experience the flight in the same way? Of the three travelers, which is most prone to stay calm?

 

Nothing is more important than the right view of God. Nothing. I’ve seen the wealthy and highly educated crumple like cowards at the face of death. I’ve seen the simple and humble take their final breath with a smile and a song. The difference? They knew the Pilot.

You need to know the heart of the pilot. That is why the story of Jesus is in the Bible. He is the only picture of God ever taken. To know Jesus, is to know God. To know God is to know: this flight gets bumpy, but the Pilot? He knows how to get us home. (1)

 However...........

There is a quiet battle raging throughout the world today.  No guns are being fired, nor are bombs being dropped—yet billions of lives are at stake.  It is the battle for people’s minds and hearts, and ultimately, their souls.

Enemies of Christianity are successfully misleading many.  Prominent atheists, such as Richard Dawkins (author of The God Delusion) and the late Christopher Hitchens (author of God is Not Great) churn out books, videos, lectures, and media interviews to convince people that there is no God.

Muslim propagandists teach that Jesus was just a great prophet, wasn’t really crucified, and never claimed to be God.  These groups and others flood the Internet with YouTube videos and materials promoting their misleading ideas.

It is true that children do tend to adopt the religion they learned about from their parents. In all other religions, one automatically becomes a follower by birth, by being baptized as an infant, or by observing certain religious practices. For example, a child is a Jew if born to a Jewish mother, or is considered a Mormon or Muslim if born into a Mormon or Muslim family. But one becomes a Christian only by personally repenting of his sins and placing his trust in Jesus Christ alone for his salvation. It is an individual decision, regardless of the religion practiced by the parents. Many people raised in other cultures decide to leave their religion and become Christians. God knows those whose hearts are truly seeking Him, and He ensures that they hear the gospel no matter where they are located. He can reveal Himself to people even in the midst of Hindu, Muslim, or animist cultures, so that they can put their trust in the Savior.

Also, keep in mind that believing something doesn’t necessarily make it true. Other religions are not equally true just because people were raised to believe them. Only Christianity is backed up by objective, historical, archaeological, and experiential evidence to verify that it is true.

    When God brought us into this universe, He did not make us to abandon us. When God finished His first creation, He stepped back and said, “It is good.” But then sin came into the world, and we broke fellowship with our Creator. Because of His great love and mercy toward us, God sent His only Son to bring us back to Himself. Now, when we are saved, we become a new creation, and God says, “It is good.” When sin soiled your garments, God sent the righteous robes of His Son for you to wear.

Now, you are---

•    washed in His blood,

•    clean in His sight,

•    and forever in His heart.

A believer's relationship with the Lord is one of complete unity. Jesus is our life. His Spirit lives through us. God did not call us to make people happy; He called us to make them holy. God did not call us to be people-pleasers; He called us to exalt Him. God did not call us to follow the crowd; He called us to follow Him and to lead people to Him. God did not call us to be sponges; He called us to be rocks who stand firmly upon the Word of God. God did not call us to compromise; He called us to overcome and to lead people to the Truth. God did not call us to fear; He has called us to courage.

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared... I Corinthians 2:9.At the end of the book, "The Last Battle" by C.S. Lewis, Lewis writes about the experiences of those that enter Aslan's land—heaven—where they go on forever and ever and each new chapter is better than the one before.

References:

(1)  Upwords, The Teaching Ministry of Max Lucado.

Blessings,

Raj Kosaraju