Message of the Gospel for Newtown

   It is hard for any of us to grasp the images and stories coming out of Newtown, Connecticut this weekend.  The many mass shootings which have occurred in recent years are evidence of the growing evil in our world.  While there has been evil on Earth since Satan tricked Eve in the Garden, it continues to grow, and will continue until the Lord returns.  The killing of small children seems to be a new level of evil by a sick individual.  How did we get here?

   We live in a day where God has let people go to their reprobate mind.  Should you need any evidence, consider the millions of abortions performed, the rash of movies and games depicting killings and war, sexual ads filling our TV and mail, increasing materialism, and a withdrawal from the church and its teachings.  Before thinking that there is nothing we can do, we can still shine the light of Jesus to all those around us.  The light of love will drive back the darkness of evil. 

   Our lives are filled with sickness and pain often, but Christmas has a way of putting these things behind, and bringing hope for the future.  As a Christmas card written by Bro Kelvin Edwards, who has been dealing with cancer treatments, said:

While the coming year may be uncertain, the future is not.  This year, maybe more than any year before, we cherish the opportunity to celebrate our Savior’s birth.  In our journey we have rediscovered that in those swaddling clothes there is more than just a baby; there is love, mercy, joy, hope, peace, salvation . . .a Savior, God!

As we talk with people this holiday, remind them of the Savior wrapped in swaddling clothes.  While our depictions of Jesus at Christmas are of the baby, He grows sinless, and dutifully goes to the cross for our sins.  All his life spreading His message that God loves us all despite of our sins.  Be ready to share this message for the hope we have within us.  Society needs to hear our message of the Gospel!

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient ; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” Romans 1:28-32

“But sanctify the Lord God d in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” 1Peter 3:15