Our Blog

By: Pastor Berg

I originally had planned on writing an article highlighting our stewardship focus of a life lived shrewdly for my article this month. But, with two mass shootings in the United States in less than two weeks and an upsurge of the usual less-prominent violence and the sadness of ongoing war in Ukraine, I felt the need to pivot. The prayer-plate has been crowded in recent days. Yes, pray we must.

Looming over all of this bad news is the elephant-in-the-room: Is evil in control? Sadly, so many do not know the Savior, do not know of the solid hope for the future by faith in him. They are unaware of the proper Book, the Bible, where guidance and answers are found. People quickly despair and wonder, “Is evil winning?”

Answer: a resounding NO! Here is why –

• Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has come into our world and defeated sin, death, Satan and hell through his holy life, innocent death, and triumphant resurrection. This was prophesied at the time of the fall into sin. To Satan God said, “I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will crush his heel.”  (Genesis 3:15). In the course of time, God fulfilled his plan of hope for all: “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son to be born of a woman, so that he would be born under the law,  in order to redeem those under the law, so that we would be adopted as sons.” (Galatians 4:4, 5).
• God assures us he has all things under his control for the benefit of his Church. He will sustain us from evil forces at work against us. “The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:18). “He protects those who walk on paths of justice. He guards the way of his favored ones.” (Proverbs 2:8).
• When evil signs surround us, the prophetic words of Jesus in Matthew chapter 24 come to mind. Hard times for the Church have been foretold and are to be expected. This testifies to our Lord’s powerful rule. “For at that time there will be great distress, unlike any that has happened since the beginning of the world until now, and unlike any that will happen again.” (Matthew 24:21).
• By faith in the Savior’s atoning work for sinners, we confidently look forward to the ultimate Victory Day of the blessed resurrection of the saints and life everlasting. “Because everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.  Who is the one who overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”  (1 John 5:4, 5).

Neither evil nor the Evil One can ever win. Jesus Christ is Lord of lords and King of Kings – and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers (Revelation 17:14). With our King we hold the victory! May we help others join the celebration.