Sunday, September 15, 2002
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Sunday, September 15, 2002 |
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Remembrance and hope at Ground Zero By REV. JUSTIN
KOLLMEYER
At the September 11th Service of Remembrance and Hope this past Wednesday night I shared again these thoughts with the good folks who nearly filled our sanctuary. Many commented afterwards that they were helpful. I only pray that they might be helpful again to you as you read them here. The absolute depths of our "fallen sinful world" flashed before our eyes one year ago on September 11th as we watched with horror the events which unfolded. We, of course, still condemn and grieve those most gruesome acts of sin, and we pray for God's peace to continue to come in full measure to give help and hope to all who need it so desperately because of their deep personal losses. Even a year removed, so many questions remain unanswered. And for some questions there will never be answers. BUT there are still GOOD ANSWERS to several good questions. Question One: Was this "God's Will?" Did He intend for this to happen as a part of His plan? Answer: ABSOLUTELY NOT! God has made it wonderfully clear by His Holy Word in Scripture that God's Will for us is safety and peace and love. It is NOT "God's Business" to kill innocent people in such horrible attacks. These hideous crimes were the willful sinful acts of deranged people. Atrocities such as these, unfortunately, are a part of living in our "fallen sinful world". Question Two: Why did God let this happen? Why didn't He come with "divine intervention" and simply use His Power to stop the terrorists before they even got started? Answer: God has made our incredible world as part of His whole marvelous creation. He has given us remarkable freedoms and choices as his "creatures". We enjoy great benefits through these choices. We enjoy great freedom within our world with God's good and loving permission. We don't really know "why?" God continues to give these freedoms to us, but we know that God has chosen to let us make choices and, again unfortunately, some people will always choose the wrong and terrible things to do. Question Three: Why hasn't God done something about this "fallen sinful world", these "hideous crimes" and "willful sinful acts"? Answer: HE HAS! And that's the Best GOOD NEWS! He has redeemed our world! He has destroyed the power of these to overcome us! This is the purpose of Jesus coming to earth to live and die and rise again in order to grant the full salvation we so desperately need! This world IS REDEEMED! It IS SAVED! On the cross and in the empty tomb of Jesus, God has fought and WON the ultimate battle with sin, death, and the devil. And not only is the "world saved", but WE are redeemed and saved as well! This will all be fully revealed and made obvious to us when Christ returns and brings his perfect and final rule in totality at the end of time. In the meantime we simply say in faith, "Come, Lord Jesus!" Question Four: So, where do we go from here? What do we do now, in the meantime? Answer: We TRUST not in our government (though we have the best human government possible!), not in "our way of life" (though we have the best life possible!). These will ultimately fail us, as good as they are. As they did yesterday. Rather, we TRUST IN GOD and the peace that only He can give! We can have confidence that this world's sin and suffering are nothing compared to the joys of eternal life we will have with God and His Son and the Holy Spirit AND ALL the "company of saints in light!" Despite tragedies and atrocities, we can move forward, living each day in hope and assurance and even JOY! We can celebrate life knowing that our greatest blessings in this life come from believing in God, worshipping Him, and loving and serving one another in His Name! Finally: These words of Jesus are perhaps the most meaningful message to us right now (from John 14:27): Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God! (Kollmeyer is Sr. Pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Fayetteville between Lowe's and The Pavilion. Those in our community without a church home are invited to "try" either the Early Service at 8:15, or the Contemporary Service at 9:30, or the Traditional Service at 11:00. For more information please call 770-461-3403 or log-on at www.popdove.com)
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