October 28, 2002
Denton Lotz is the general secretary of the Baptist World Alliance which is a composite group of all the Baptist Churches around our world. He writes movingly in the October/December 2002 issue of the magazine, "Baptist World" of the ongoing challenge to our churches in this world.
He goes back into the history of those first Christians, who imprisoned for their faith, were sent to the Numidian mines where there chains were shortened so they never were able to stand upright again. Yet, on the walls of the mines more than any other scribbles were the words Life, Life, Life. Surrounded by death, but because of their hope in Christ they spoke of Life.
The lesson. The gospel we preach is one of life. Abundant life. (John 10:10.) Of Jesus who is life and his life is the light of men. (John 1:4) He talks about himself as the "author of life" and as such is the "bread of life" and the way to "eternal life."
Yet too often we focus on death as the way to pay back. Kill our enemies, not love our enemies. Denton Lotz illustrates out of a trip to Nicaragua. The first question he received after a speaking engagement, "Sir, could you tell us what Baptists in North America are doing against war?" What’s the context of the question. Out of their civil war, thousands of lives ended, a current situation where there is 70% unemployment, teachers earn $30 per month, poor children beg on the streets for food, 5% of the people can afford to go to the large Western mall. He sums up "the question comes out of the context of the senselessness and poverty of war!" The people feel deserted. $500 million promised, one million delivered. War squanders funds. Thus our message has to be Life, not death, not simply eternal but now.
Denton Lotz challenges in a moving summary that concludes, "let us Baptist be a people of Life…putting back the sword…and lifting up Christ and his cross!"…in this way "experiencing the miracle of grace which turns the crosses of this world into the source of Christ’s life for us all…doing the most powerful thing on earth,…preaching new life in Christ"
I join in such a plea.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
201 Oak St.
Mauston, WI 53948-1333 608-8474555
Past Weeks Thoughts: