I used to view people as either good or bad. After many years of traveling around the world, I now see there are “good” people in every place and “bad” people that can be “good” if changed by GOD. Perhaps instead of bad, they should be called “potentially good?”
In the news, we see Christians are persecuted and dying for their faith in countries we may have once written off as being bad. I have always heard about persecution and now that I have seen more of those faces, I find myself praying instead of writing them off.
Once thought to be firmly on the “bad” list, China now has more Christians than any other country. Yes, the numbers are partly due to their huge population, but they endure well-documented persecution. As their country’s economy improves the Church in China continues to grow, unlike churches in many Western countries.
Other places I used to write off were some African and South American nations. They always seem to be plagued with corruption, war, and poverty. In recent years, some of those nations have experienced great spiritual moves of GOD. They move closer to GOD, as more stable nations move farther away. South America has some of the largest and fastest growing Christian congregations.
While stationed in Moscow, we met Africans at our international Church who were persecuted and viciously attacked in public. Under those circumstances, they were faithful in Church, active in all ministries and even held leadership roles.
Watching Ebola wreak havoc in Liberia, we might tend to “write it off.” I met a young Liberian a few years ago, who works for our Embassy in Monrovia. Having grown up in such a troubled nation, I was impressed with his love for his family, his country, and his GOD. I pray for him and everything he holds dear.
During troubled times, people turn to GOD. That happened in the US during The Great Depression and during the World Wars. We saw it briefly after 9/11, but the emergency passed, and many returned to “normal” life. Now what was once called “evil” has become the new normal. Does that make us “bad” people? Like Israel in the Old Testament, we forget GOD after the crisis passes. I pray we as a nation remember GOD and don’t have to go through destruction like they did.
The good news is, GOD didn’t write us off. He wants a personal relationship with us. He won’t go by headlines or popular opinion. We are “bad” until GOD makes us “good.” That goodness can never be taken away because it is not ours, it’s the goodness of JESUS.
Wayne Lance (2014) – That’s Good News to Share!