One of my favorite movie exchanges of all time was an exchange between Colonel Jessup (Jack Nicholson) and Lieutenant Kaffee (Tom Cruise) in the movie, A Few Good Men. Jessup is being questioned about the abuse of a soldier under his command, when Kaffee challenges him, “I want the truth!” Jessup answers vehemently, “You can’t handle the truth. Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns.” We live in a world that is not all it could be, that is for sure. I think Jessup has it right though, most of us would just as soon not know the truth, but rather some semblance of the truth that makes us feel good about the life we live and the things we do.
I couldn't help but think of that exchange as I watched a video I received by email today. As I watched, I cannot tell you I was surprised, but I was very disturbed. I know that a world disconnected from Christ is going to act like a world disconnected from Christ. Yet it does not make me feel any better about it. This video was of a very influential person accepting the teachings of a man who seemed to have a working knowledge of Scripture, but had overlooked some very important truths within its pages. Worse still, in my opinion, was that this influential person was not just accepting these teachings as truth, but was also endorsing them for the audience. If there was ever a day that the world needs to here the truth and nothing but the truth, today is it.
The answers for our problems are not found in a new President. Al Gore and his mission to solve global warming will not save us. Our city leaders and legislation will not help us in the end. This world’s only hope is to know God’s grace and mercy in Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:14 (NIV) 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
I couldn't help but think of that exchange as I watched a video I received by email today. As I watched, I cannot tell you I was surprised, but I was very disturbed. I know that a world disconnected from Christ is going to act like a world disconnected from Christ. Yet it does not make me feel any better about it. This video was of a very influential person accepting the teachings of a man who seemed to have a working knowledge of Scripture, but had overlooked some very important truths within its pages. Worse still, in my opinion, was that this influential person was not just accepting these teachings as truth, but was also endorsing them for the audience. If there was ever a day that the world needs to here the truth and nothing but the truth, today is it.
The answers for our problems are not found in a new President. Al Gore and his mission to solve global warming will not save us. Our city leaders and legislation will not help us in the end. This world’s only hope is to know God’s grace and mercy in Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:14 (NIV) 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
Do you see this progression? For someone to call on God they must believe. Yet, for them to believe in Him, they have to hear of Him. Yet, for anyone to hear of Him, someone must be willing to tell about Him. Who will go? Who will tell?What this world needs more than another great leader is a few more good Christians, who will join together and intentionally point people to the God who has always loved them.
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