Wandering Crusader #271 Starving Amid Plenty

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: Amos 8:11

At community festivals, booths offer free Bibles. They are given away at military induction centers, churches, and the message of Christ is everywhere. Quite literally, ask, and you shall receive. When it comes to the word of God, we live in a land of plenty. The Scriptures tell us God is not willing that any should perish. The ready availability of the gospel points to that fact.

Jesus frequently concluded His teaching by saying, “He that hath an ear, let him hear.” He did not say this because those listening lacked ears. They lacked a willingness to hear the truth. Saving faith, the faith that brings peace with God, and fulfills human purpose, comes by hearing and responding to the message of the gospel.

The gospel message is almost certain to make its hearers uncomfortable. It is completely counter to the message of the personal growth gurus, modern cultural norms, and feel-good churches. Hearing the gospel requires bravery and a willingness to act, both of which are woefully lacking in our world. The reward, however, of that moment’s discomfort is life everlasting, lived in the Divine.

Death by starvation is a long, slow, torturous process. Driven by hunger, those affected will eat things that are not food. Empty space in the stomach is filled, but the body is not nourished, and, one by one, cells begin to die. To starve amid plenty is a tragedy played out every day. It is, in essence, a form of suicide, a willful taking of one’s own life that lasts for eternity.

When I was in the military, “Life is tough all over” was the final answer to any and every complaint. That may be a calloused, uncaring answer. Nevertheless, it is true. Life is tough. Becoming a Christian does not remove the need for life’s hard lessons. It gives you a divine partner to walk you through them. Jesus endured the cross for the joy that awaited Him. He is more than able to carry you through the toughest trial.

The gospel is the written expression of the one Life that was lived and offered as our doorway into a spiritual union with God. It is not a rule book. It is a guiding light into the life of joy that God desires for us. Jesus said ignoring the light of the gospel ends in outer darkness. Come into the light. It is everywhere.

 Maranatha