Living in a Fallen World

Just when things appear to be going well, BAM....life hits you below the belt! We found out this weekend that Joi's Step-Father had a seizure. They took him to the hospital and found what they said was a lesion on his brain. Later on, they started calling it a tumor. It's possibly cancerous. There may be more than one. It probably came from somewhere else in his body. So, they are doing tests today to see where this is all coming from and how extensive the damage is. The waiting is the hardest part. Vic didn't show any previous signs that he wasn't feeling well, that we know of. He had a headache the day he had the seizure. But, no obvious signs before that. If you pray, please remember Vic, Joi's Mom, and the family as they deal with this challenge.

On Sunday, the boys, Joi, and I had a discussion about living in a fallen world. God didn't intend for there to be death, sickness, pain, etc. He designed the world to be a paradise where we could live forever in God's presence. But, God also gave us the gift of choice (free will). He didn't want puppets that He could control. He wanted people who were free to love Him and choose to be with Him. Man used that freedom of choice to fulfill out own selfish desires. We ate the fruit from a tree that God said we should not. As a result of our sinfulness and the fact that God is holy and can not tolerate sin, we were banished from paradise. When sin entered the world, so did death, pain, sickness, and tears. But, the story doesn't end there. God loved us so much that He was willing to give us another chance to restore ourselves and be with Him forever. He sent His only son, Jesus, to die on our behalf. A blood sacrifice that bridged the gap between us and God. Jesus took all of the sin from everyone who ever lived and everyone who ever will live and He died with that weight on His shoulders. As a result, we are given the chance for paradise and for living forever once again. However, that free will gift comes into play again. God is not going to force us to believe and accept the sacrifice that His Son made for us. He gives us the ability to choose. But, the bible says that if we believe in Jesus, accept Him, and choose to live our lives like Him...then we will be saved. Saved from what? Death, pain, sickness, and tears. But, not in this life. In fact, the bible promises that in this life we will have pain, sickness, death, and tears. Whether we believe in Jesus or not, we will all face pain, sorrow, sickness, and death. After all, we live in a fallen world. But, if we believe and obey Jesus, we can live forever in heaven when this life is over. God promises that heaven will have no pain, sickness, death, or sorrow. Only life, love, happiness, and an eternity back in God's presence. Those who choose to exercise their free will and make the choice to not follow Jesus will not get that opportunity. A different eternity awaits those who decide not to follow Jesus...or who never make a decision at all. That eternity will be in hell. I won't go on about what a horrible eternity that will be. But, God doesn't want anyone to perish. He offers the gift freely...to everyone. God doesn't care what sin you've committed. He wants you back. He wants you to choose Him. Accept Him. Obey Him. Love others like Him. If we do, paradise can again be ours. Yes, we live in a fallen world...but we don't have to stay there.