We live in an interesting and exciting society. Unfortunately, we also live in a broken and increasingly confused society. We are bombarded with people preaching tolerance of others’ choices, beliefs, religions, etc. We are “supposed” to be tolerant of just about everything these days as long as it doesn’t cause direct harm to another person. We live in a postmodern world where many people refuse to believe that a loving god would send any “good person” to hell. They see Christianity as an exclusive religion and refuse to accept, as one of my friends once put it, “an angry God who just sits up there judging us all the time.”

In perhaps the most well-known and recognized verse in the bible we see that “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) I believe John 3:17 is equally as important. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” In these verses we have Jesus explaining the truth and beauty of the gospel to Nicodemus in His own words. Christianity is not exclusive at all; it is inclusive, in that it is open to “whoever believes.” God did not send Christ to “condemn the world” or save a select group of people. Christ was sent to “save the world through Him.” Not part of the world, the whole world. Amen!!!

Pray:

Adoration: God is holy, mighty, gracious, and merciful. Spend time declaring your love for Him and expressing your thoughts of praise and worship.

Confession: Ask God to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.

Thanksgiving: Express your thankfulness to God for the blessings He has given you. When we consider that we deserve punishment because of our sinfulness, and instead God gives to us His love and mercy, our only response should be one of thankfulness.

Supplication: Petition God to help you be a faithful steward of your time, talents, possessions, and relationships. Offer prayers concerning your activities for this day and any special concerns you have. Intercede for your local, state, and national governments. Pray for spiritual revival in the nation and offer prayers regarding any current events and concerns.