Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Pastor's Ponderings, March 3, 2020

There Is No Risk With God

During the week of February 24, 2020, the US financial markets dropped significantly because of fear of how the coronavirus would affect stock prices.  This is called Market risk which is “…the possibility of an investor experiencing losses due to factors that affect the overall performance of the financial markets in which he or she is involved. … Systematic, or market risk tends to influence the entire market at the same time.”

Many people are concerned with how the coronavirus would affect their portfolio, their business plans, and their retirement income. That market risk leads people to try to protect their assets, their own longevity, and their families. They don’t want to put them at risk.  Yet while we may want to protect what is ours from the risk of loss, many of us do not attempt to protect ourselves from permanent separation from God. 

There is a song by AC DC called, “Highway to Hell.”  Some of the short-sighted lyrics are, “Ain't nothing I would rather do, Going down, party time. My friends are gonna be there too. I'm on the highway to hell…No stop signs, speed limit. Nobody's gonna slow me down.”  Sadly, God says that many will go to destruction, but few will find the straight way and the narrow gate that leads to life with Him (Matthew 7:14).  

While warning us that after death is the Judgement, most people will risk losing their souls while striving to protect their natural investment.  What is the profit in that? (Mark 8:36).  We fear people, places and things that can hurt our bodies, but don't consider the risk of where our souls will spend eternity (Matthew 10:28). 

God prevents that risk.  He said that He is not willing that any of us be lost, but that we would all repent from disobedience to Him (2 Peter 3:9).  The Gospel or the Good News is that anyone who hears His word and believes on Him will have everlasting life and will avoid damnation in hell (John 5:24, Proverbs 14:12).  If we have sinned, He says that all we have to do is confess our sins to Him who will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).  


Let us remember there is no risk with God.  All that we have to do is to believe on Him and we shall be saved.  We can protect our eternal investment when we seek those things that are above rather than the things on the earth (Colossians 3:1, 2). He has prepared a wonderful and eternal home that we may live with Him forever.  No risk with God.  We have eternal security with Him (Romans 8:31).

Matthew 7:14
King James Version (KJV)
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Mark 8:36
New International Version (NIV)
36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

Matthew 10:28
New International Version (NIV)
28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

2 Peter 3:9
New International Version (NIV)
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

John 5:24
New International Version (NIV)
24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

Proverbs 14:12
New International Version (NIV)
12 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

1 John 1:9
New International Version (NIV)
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Colossians 3:1, 2
New International Version (NIV)
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Romans 8:31
New International Version (NIV)
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

No comments: