Light to a broken world – Part 4

Key verse:Matthew 5:14: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden,” (NKJV).

We live in a broken world, but Christians are the hope to the hurting and tough world. Believers are the hope to the hopeless in this world because the world system has dashed the hope of the people living in the society. Some people due to their hopelessness or depression for whatever personal problems they are going through often end up in some kind of addiction to comfort themselves, but these addictions cannot satisfy their longing. But in Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have a hope that is above and beyond anything or anyone on this earth.

It is higher and more powerful. God is above and beyond our troubles. And we can have His peace and His hope to such a degree that we cannot only live in it, but overflow with it. Jesus said in John 14:27 that my peace I give to you and not as the world gives. The peace that the world gives is temporal, but the peace of God abides forever.

Christ brings hope to our hopelessness. The jailer asked life’s greatest question in Acts 16:30, when he asked: “What shall I do to be saved.” He said this,when he saw that all the doors of the prison were opened and everyone’s chain were loosed, despite the tight security mounted at the prison where Paul and Silas were imprisoned.

The jailer came to the understanding that there is much more in Jesus Christ than there is in the world. He was convicted that he needs the saviour because he saw his hopelessness and sought for salvation. He was going to commit suicide, thinking all hope is gone and there is no future for him, but Paul said to him, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31). Have you come to a crossroad and you think all hope is lost? Hear what God Has to tell you: “He loves you, He cares about you, He has a purpose for you and you can be forgiven of your sins and have the hope of eternal life in Heaven.” The best life worth living is a life in Christ.

Now, what does Paul mean to “believe?” It simply means to “trust” or “put your faith in God.” You get in an airplane by faith. When you get in an airplane, you do not check the gas to see if there is enough in the tank. You do not kick the tires and shake the wings. You do not interview the pilot to ensure security. You just relax and trust that the airplane will take you safely to your destination. The song writer says: “Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus.” Then someone says: “Have faith in God. Trust Jesus to save you.” Ephesians2:8-9says: “By grace you have been saved, through faith.”

The thief on the cross was out there hung on a cross for his crimes, but when he turned to Jesus and said: “Remember me when You enter Your kingdom.” Jesus said: “Today you will be with Me in paradise.” It is very simple, just believe in the finished work of Christ on the cross and you will be saved. You do not have to work so hard for it or be so religious.

No! The Bible said in John 3:16 that whosoever believeth in Him shall never perish, but have everlasting life.

Today’s nugget: Christ brings hope to our hopelessness. Prayer: Jesus I give my life to you today. Prayer lines:

08033299824.E-mail: [email protected]. Rev. Abel UkachiAmadi, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God Nigeria