The Evangelist’s Pen

I am beginning a message in this issue, and completing it in the next, entitled:

"Where Do I Begin?"

One of the greatest desires of any person today is, "How can I impact the society in which I live?" or "How can I leave my mark in time and history?" or "How can I make my life count for something?"

Our world today hangs on the brink of nuclear annihilation. There are new wars and continued fighting in areas around the world every single day. States and countries are going bankrupt. Banks are crashing. Monetary systems are devalued over and over, until they become worthless and are discarded. More people are killed on our highways by drunk drivers than at any prior time. Millions today are hooked on drugs and/or alcohol. Disease runs rampant and our hospitals are full. Famine is killing thousands every day. Violence fills the land. Illicit sex and perversion are the order of the day. More people take their own lives, or attempt to, than ever before. There are more abused children, runaways and homeless kids than seems possible. More homes are broken, more lives ruined and more souls cast down and destroyed than imaginable. Fewer churches preach the gospel, and fewer still live holy upright lives before God. I could go on, but I think I have made my point. It’s not a very pretty picture is it? But it’s true. Isn’t this a fairly accurate assessment of our present world? Some are probably saying, "Pastor Gaines, why are you telling us all of this? This is depressing!" Yes, it is. But I needed to communicate to you the tremendous need that surrounds us today!

Just where would you begin? If we took a poll, the answers would be varied. Listen to a few examples: "We need new world leaders," or "pass new laws," or "greater enforcement of existing laws," or "changes in our churches," or "changes in our families or our home life." There would be many more. But, none of these is right! I’m not saying you could not accomplish some good with these. These are not right because they are not God’s way, and they would be ineffective, piecemeal, hit and miss, trial and error. Is there then a sure fire method that is guaranteed effective, that is God‘s way and has His blessing? Yes – but it involves individuals, each of us, not just a select few, and even meets the demand of "who am I," and "what can I do?" It is even for those who feel they have no talent, no abilities and nothing to offer. But I must warn you that it goes against all human nature. It does not appear at first glance, through human eyes, to be an answer, let alone the answer. In the next issue we will reveal this simple scriptural solution.