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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"God Is My Hero"
January 27, 2009
I was watching the television show, Heroes, the other night. The series
tells the stories of ordinary people who discover superhuman abilities, and
how these abilities effect the characters' lives. In this particular episode one
of the characters was on trial for abusing his power. He was accused of
going back in time to save the life of someone he cared for a great deal.
I couldn't help but think how many times I wished I could do something
like that. Imagine being able to go back in time and right some wrong. If I
could prevent someone I loved from making a terrible mistake, I would
gladly sacrifice all that I own. Most of us would. Unfortunately, as my
father always said, "it only works that way on television." He was right.
Real life is a one way street. We can only pick up the pieces and move
forward.
What if we could do something, would we? Confronted by his accusers,
the Hero declares that if it is wrong to want to save the life of someone who
makes this world a better place, then they can find him guilty. He did it and
he would do it again.
Just then an image came to mind. I saw Jesus on the cross. The apostle
Paul says, "Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a
good man someone might possibly dare die. But God shows his love for us
in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ came to die for us."
You see God broke the rules when he sent Christ to die on the cross.
According to the law we were condemned to die for our sins, separated
from God for all eternity. Paul says "all have sinned, all have fallen short of
his glory." Yet, God did not leave it there. He so loved the world that he sent
his only son... so that the world might be saved. Now that is a hero!
The truth is that God loves you and me so much that he was willing to
sacrifice everything to save us. I don't know about you, but I want the
whole world to know who my hero is. The best way to tell the world is not
with our lips. Talk is cheap. The best way to do it is with our lives.
Here's the truth. Jesus died not because we were so good, but like the
Hero on television, he saw in us the potential to do something great. When
we lead lives that honor God and reflect his glory, we make this world a
better place. Let's honor God and let our love, compassion, faithful living
and search for justice lead the way so that in us, the world will catch a
glimpse of our Hero.
God bless. See you in church. Cal
January 27, 2009
I was watching the television show, Heroes, the other night. The series
tells the stories of ordinary people who discover superhuman abilities, and
how these abilities effect the characters' lives. In this particular episode one
of the characters was on trial for abusing his power. He was accused of
going back in time to save the life of someone he cared for a great deal.
I couldn't help but think how many times I wished I could do something
like that. Imagine being able to go back in time and right some wrong. If I
could prevent someone I loved from making a terrible mistake, I would
gladly sacrifice all that I own. Most of us would. Unfortunately, as my
father always said, "it only works that way on television." He was right.
Real life is a one way street. We can only pick up the pieces and move
forward.
What if we could do something, would we? Confronted by his accusers,
the Hero declares that if it is wrong to want to save the life of someone who
makes this world a better place, then they can find him guilty. He did it and
he would do it again.
Just then an image came to mind. I saw Jesus on the cross. The apostle
Paul says, "Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a
good man someone might possibly dare die. But God shows his love for us
in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ came to die for us."
You see God broke the rules when he sent Christ to die on the cross.
According to the law we were condemned to die for our sins, separated
from God for all eternity. Paul says "all have sinned, all have fallen short of
his glory." Yet, God did not leave it there. He so loved the world that he sent
his only son... so that the world might be saved. Now that is a hero!
The truth is that God loves you and me so much that he was willing to
sacrifice everything to save us. I don't know about you, but I want the
whole world to know who my hero is. The best way to tell the world is not
with our lips. Talk is cheap. The best way to do it is with our lives.
Here's the truth. Jesus died not because we were so good, but like the
Hero on television, he saw in us the potential to do something great. When
we lead lives that honor God and reflect his glory, we make this world a
better place. Let's honor God and let our love, compassion, faithful living
and search for justice lead the way so that in us, the world will catch a
glimpse of our Hero.
God bless. See you in church. Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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