A surprising number of people, many of them
young, are today asking – “Does the Christian
Bible have anything helpful to say in these very
troubled 21st century times?” Here is what a
Christian leader and thinker called Paul said
about a not dissimilar situation two thousand
years ago:- “Everything that was written in the
past was written to teach us, so that through the
endurance taught in the Scriptures and the
encouragement they provide we might have
hope” (Romans 15 verse 4). Endurance,
encouragement and hope: would you not agree
that these are the very commodities in short
supply in our world of today? An environment
which sadly is:-
- a FALLEN world. In the beginning,
humankind knew God, walked with God and
loved God. But the day came when people sinned
against God and lost contact with God. The result
is the planet of selfishness and suffering which we
know all too well today.
- a FRACTURED world. In continent after
continent and country after country we cannot
but lament the wars and conflicts that cause so
much pain and distress but seem so difficult to
bring to a just end.
- a FRIGHTENED world. What is to become
of the human race? Outside of the Bible, what
answer can anyone offer, to bring us Romans 15
verse 4 endurance, encouragement and hope?
Challenge and comfort come in the Bible’s
invitation to us, individually and corporately, to
place our trust in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.
He can forgive our sins, change our lives and give
us eternal life and hope. We are given this
invitation in the Bible, in John 3: 16 – “God so loved
the world, that He
gave His Son Jesus that whoever believes in Him
should not be lost, but have eternal life”
So – read the Bible! It affirms that whatever the
future may hold – international conflict, explosive
population growth, accelerated climate change,
increased persecution, global pandemics, you
name it (!), all history is moving toward one great
and climactic moment, the day when our Lord
Jesus returns in power and great glory, to put an
end to all evil, usher in a new world without tears,
sickness and pain (Revelation 21:4), and evermore
to reign! What a hope is that!
So – people of St John’s – and Catherine and I
include ourselves among you! – here’s an
encouraging concluding poem:
“In this our day, when hope seems dead, and all looks dark and drear.
Let’s lift our heads, let’s raise our eyes, and in our Lord find cheer.
The One who came so long ago will surely come again –
To banish sin, to raise the dead, and evermore to reign!” Amen!
Keith and Catherine Granger were members of St. John’s for 10 years, in retirement, so an appropriate contributor for this anniversary edition!