Archive for April, 2014
The God Who is Just
There is a wave across churches today, calling for followers of Jesus to be more concerned about justice in our world. The long battle against abortion, human trafficking, exploitation of the poor, and other important issues are being evaluated apart from politics. Christians are recognizing that God’s character is being disregarded in our society. His righteous standard is being ignored.
Injustice is not new
Much of the Old Testament deals with injustice. God repeatedly sent prophets to warn the people of Israel and other nations about their treatment of widows, orphans, and the poor. Sometimes, even the spiritual leaders were involved in exploitation, leaving their calling as “shepherds” to act like wolves.
Equal accountability for all
One facet of God’s justice is His call to personal, individual obedience and righteousness. God does not condemn one person based on the sin of another. Each man, woman, boy, and girl are responsible for their own sin. As Freddy Cordoza writes in the Summer 2014 unit of Bible Studies for Life, “God is fair in the sense that His justice holds everyone equally accountable for their actions. God is completely just, but He is also merciful, showing mercy to those who choose to turn to Him.”
The Old Testament prophet Ezekiel was commissioned by God to rebuke his people during some of the spiritually roughest days in the history of Israel. Yet, God demonstrated willingness to have mercy on those who trusted Him, “‘Now if the wicked person turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will certainly live; he will not die. None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. He will live because of the righteousness he has practiced. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?’ This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. ‘Instead, don’t I take pleasure when he turns from his ways and lives?’” (Ezekiel 18:21-23, HCSB).
God is just and merciful
The same sentiment is reflected in the New Testament when Jesus teaches, “I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don’t need repentance.” The “one sinner” is neither condemned nor saved due to the 99 righteous. The one must repent before God. When that happens, God hears and forgives.
The justice of God is not merely an expression of His wrath toward wrong. It is God’s willingness to show no partiality based on gender, age, race, tribe or social standing, His mercy in offering salvation to all, His grace in extending salvation to those who respond in faith, and His righteous judgment on those who do not believe that God’s justice is fully seen.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church General Editor, Bible Studies for Life
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
Pray for Arkansas Prayer Gathering, Monday–Tuesday, April 21-22
Approximately 300 pastors and ministers associated with the churches of the Arkansas Baptist Convention are gathering in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Monday, April 21, from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. and Tuesday Morning, April 22, from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Please pray for this gathering. Our focus is gathering to pray in an extraordinary way for spiritual revival personally, revival in the church, and spiritual awakening in America; so that we will see the Great Commission escalated to its rightful priority and accelerated to its completion in our generation. Spiritual revival is the manifested presence of God in our lives and churches. For far too long, the world has seen what we can do; it is time for the world to see what God can do!
Partnership With Our State Convention
God has raised up previous prayer gatherings in Dallas and Atlanta. Through these gatherings, He has moved upon our Executive Director, Dr. Sonny Tucker, in a powerful way. He, along with our Spiritual Awakening Task Force of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, requested I lead one of these efforts in our state capital.
Therefore, with the input of others and under God’s direction, I have planned this major prayer gathering. The state convention has worked diligently taking care of all logistics, for which I am very grateful. The gathering will be held in the Student Building of Geyer Springs Baptist Church in Little Rock. We have approximately 300 registered participants and are still growing.
Julio Arriola, our Global Worship Pastor, and our Worship Staff Team will join me in leading, along with some Arkansas pastors, who will be sharing the Word and setting up our prayer moments. It will be fabulous.
It has been a joy to work with Dr. Sonny Tucker and our state convention in this sacred effort. They are coming alongside of what God is doing, assisting and encouraging. I am most grateful for our partnership with them.
How Can You Pray?
1. Our focus is gathering to pray in an extraordinary way for spiritual revival personally, revival in the church, and spiritual awakening in America; so that we will see the Great Commission escalated to its rightful priority and accelerated to its completion in our generation. Therefore, pray for this to be the place we see the fire fall in our nation. Why not here?
2. Pray for me and other pastors who will be leading with me. Pray for a powerful anointing of God to occur upon us as we lead, share, and pray.
3. Pray for the pastors and ministers who will join us at this gathering. I believe God wants to do something very special. Over 300 people united in prayer can be used powerfully by God.
4. Pray for our Worship Staff Team. They have exhausted themselves over this past weekend, helping us conduct 15 Easter services on five campuses. We all need prayer for strength, focus, energy, and most of all, anointing.
5. Pray for God to come down powerfully in this historic gathering. It is imperative for the attenders, our churches, our state, our nation, and our world.
“If only You would tear the heavens open and come down!” (Isaiah 64:1)
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.