It is evident as we observe our leaders of all political stripes that few possess the noble values which western society has been founded upon.  I speak specifically and boldly about faith in God and what I would like to state the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.

The New Testament consists of 27 books written by at least 8 different authors.  One of the singularly interesting points concerning Christianity is that its founder did not pen a single word concerning his philosophy or perspective.  In fact his testimony is laid out in the works of his followers, the majority of which were direct eyewitnesses to the events of the day.

Additionally, there is secular confirmation from such reliable sources as the Jewish historian Josephus, Roman historian (considered the greatest Roman historian of his age) Tacitus (55 - 117 AD), Greek satirist Lucian (120 - 180 AD), Governor of Bithynia in Asia Minor, Pliny the Younger (112 AD), and so on.  The testimonies of meetings with Christ after His resurrection are also quite credible.  At one large gathering over 500 people personally saw him.  Those who were skeptical even touched the wounds He received after He was risen.

So we have a record which if examined demonstrates a very real Jesus.  When we further investigate his life, the miraculous healings of the blind, the deaf, the lame, the lunatic, and the raising of the dead - these are very dramatic moments which recount individuals, many of whom had lifelong ailments or were testified to have been dead for up to 4 days (in the case of Lazarus - it was recorded that his corpse stunk) in the grave.

But it isn't just the historical references to his life by his contemporaries, but the Old Testament prophecies declaring his messianic arrival, ministry, suffering, death, resurrection, and eternal kingdom which draws the skeptic (in this case myself) to further research the claims.  And I could from thirty years of study recount the declaration of his birth place in the book of Micah 5:2, the virgin birth in Isaiah 7:14, the suffering messiah (Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53), that a star would herald his coming (Num. 24:17) - in all over 300 specific prophecies which even speak of his garment being gambled for while he died to his hands and feet being pierced to his back being whipped to bring healing to his atoning death for sin.

And why did this Jesus live and die and why is this relevant to the discussion?  Jesus quoted from every Old Testament book with the exception of the book of Esther.  His proclamation of who He is and His purpose declares that He is either a lunatic, a liar, or the Lord of all.  It is one of the three.  It is not gray area.  It is black and white.  When Jesus says that He is the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Resurrection and the Life, the Way, the Truth, and the Life - these statements are either the ravings of someone deluded, a clever and deceitful liar, or the proclamation of the Savior of the earth.

When I began searching for myself without the outside influences of others, I came to the conclusion that this was evidence that required a personal verdict on my part.  We only have one life and one opportunity which I can ascertain to make this decision.  My study of the many philosophers and skeptics over the ages - none of which brings genuine hope, freedom from guilt, and liberation to love unconditionally, none of these makes the bold and audacious claim to be the Son of God.  

The Bible declares the law of God, His commandments, and statutes.  My hope is not to convince anyone reading this of the truth of Christ, only to inspire seekers of the truth to search this out for themselves.  I know when I was confronted with this Jesus, I personally abhorred religion and felt that I was a fine person.  I discarded religion and Christianity in particular as weak and just another philosophy until I began reading the gospel of John.  I was challenged to read the New Testament with an honest and open heart.  For several months I did just that.  There were verses which gave me serious pause, such as when I read in Romans that we have all sinned and the wages we receive for this is eternal death.  I looked into the nature of sin from the Bible's perspective and discovered that it declares all of mankind guilty and without hope if we are left to our own devices.

Scripture states that God promised to send a Redeemer, a Savior, someone who would save us from our own sins.  From Noah to Abraham, from Moses to David, prophets from Isaiah to Daniel, Elijah to Malachi all spoke of God's saving salvation.  Just as there were 400 years of darkness while the Israelites remained enslaved in the land of Egypt, there was 400 years from Malachi's last Old Testament prophecy to John the Baptist's declaration to repent for the kingdom of God was at hand.  When John saw Jesus he immediately recognized that this person was the Lamb of God, who would take away the sins of the world from every individual who would place their faith and trust in Him.

Because the politicians and leaders of today reject truth outright or water it down for the purposes of compatibility with the today's accepted societal norms, they are blind.  And when someone chooses blindness, their decision making process in general reflects an inability to face reality on a number of fronts: whether it is facing the irresponsibility of government debt, the rise of socialism (there can be no better example of shared failure over individual accountability and responsibility), sexually transmitted diseases, abortion, or lifestyles which do not engender the betterment of the world's next generation, in particular the rate of children born to unwed mothers.

Many would like to place the blame on our religious institutions, which the general populace views churchs as historical monuments to archaic superstitions and the clergy as vacuous, boring, unbelievers themselves.  Ultimately however, it is the responsibility of every genuine believer to boldly share their faith in the love of Christ.  Evangelism can only share the truth, but only God can change a heart.  We aren't born into Christianity through family, but through what Jesus described as a supernatural 2nd birth, "to be born again" by the Spirit of the Living God.  Only when one realizes the hopelessness of sin which we are all stained with from birth, can we call upon the One who cleanses stain through His blood, the person of Jesus Christ.

I once was amazed to hear so many non-believers who scoff at formal Christianity and religion in general share with me their personal encounters with the supernatural.  The irreligious such as agnostics and even atheists have told me some of the most strange and bizarre stories of visions or encounters that can only be described as other worldly.  But I am not surprised now.  Every heart has a God-shaped hole which only the Savior of this world can fill.  Satan is described as the "god of this world" and Scripture says that he is deceptive, clever, a liar, and a murderer.  He is wiser than any person and watches us like a lion in wait, ready to pounce.  We are also told that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against principalities, spirits, and wickedness which resides in high places.

I can think of no higher place than the head on our own shoulders.  It is no accident that the Messiah of the world was crucified on Golgotha, which translates "the place of the skull."  The Greek word Calvary is the root word for 'cranium' or skull bone.  The cross of redemption must be on our minds - because it is where the battle exists.  The cross was planted deep into the soil and so must the cross of Christ.  Unless we allow the Word of God to be placed deep within the recesses of our being through a voluntary calling out to God in humility, sincerity, honesty, by His truth - we are only playing the same game on the devil's playground.  It is God calling us to open the Bible again.  It is God who is calling us to open our hearts again.  It is God who freely gave His Son to set each of us free from the slavery of sin.  Only then can our eyes, ears, minds, and hearts be opened to love one another unconditionally and love this great, Almighty God, who invites us through His Son to call Him - Father.

And now you see.

May God bless you!

bro-ken in Christ for you