2013

As people from all over the world usher in the new year, how many actually begin the year with the end in mind? This end that I am speaking of isn't the end of 2013, but the coming of the promised Kingdom of God.

It is crucial to take the Kingdom of God seriously. Let us first look at who is God. In the very first book of the bible, Genesis, this is the God who has created the world.  By saying created the world, I do mean everything that we see around us, including you and me. God has a perfect plan for all of humanity. However, because of the weakness of Man, we fell to sin. Sin is rebellion against God. Adam defied God's orders to him. This sin defiled the human race and we were thrown out of God's perfect kingdom in the Garden of Eden. God is ultimately a God who cares about us. He created us in His image and want to reconcile us back to Him. Because of our utter sinfulness, there was no way that we could be right with God again. The Kingdom of God promised to Abraham seems like too far a dream for the people in the Old Testament of the bible. God did not lose control, He has always been in control. In the New Testament, we read about Jesus, God's son. Jesus Christ, in very nature God, came from heaven to Earth to redeem us from slavery to sin. For the price of sin is death, Jesus, being an obedient Son, went to the cross (a humiliating way to die in ancient Rome) to die, so that we can be reconciled to God again. Sin was defeated at the cross of Christ. Jesus was then resurrected and brought to life again, and ascended to the right hand of God. In the book of Revelation, the last book of the bible, John speaks of the new heaven and the new earth, where God's perfect world would be restored. Christ will be coming again. The Kingdom of God is at hand.

As we begin a new year, take time to stop and consider Christ. It is only through the death of Christ that we can be made right with the God who has created us. This is unconditional love and immense grace, for we are sinful and alienated from this almighty God.

Have a blessed 2013. Remember grace.