A CORDIAL INVITATION TO REPENT Author: R W Glenn Why is it that when catastrophes happen - tsunamis, terrorist attacks, typhoons - Christians seem intent on attributing them to the wickedness of the victims? Jesus takes us in a completely different direction: There were some present at that very time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish (Luke 13:1-5). Our instinct is to think that the fundamental operating principle of Gods universe is a performance principle: “Bad things happen to bad people. Bad things haven’t happened to me. Therefore, I’m not a bad person.” The assumption is that the victims must be worse offenders than the survivors. No, says Jesus. Instead, these calamities are signs of Gods grace. The catastrophe is an invitation to repent. So the next time there is a tornado at a meeting of a theologically liberal denomination or a hurricane that leaves people homeless in a region known for its debauchery, do not say, Its because they are really bad people. Since I’m not like them, something like that will never happen to me. Instead, say, Thank you, Lord, for another cordial invitation to repent.
Posted on: Tue, 04 Mar 2014 01:54:22 +0000
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