A Pilgrim's Progress: My Life as a Christian

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Eph 2:10

Recently, I was disappointed to find that some Christians were telling others that "the earthquake in Haiti was God's judgment on the Haitians for making a pat with Satan." Whether or not that statement is true is of no consequence to me, and I will not deal with the historicity of that report. What does concern me however, and what I will deal with in this blog, is how we are to react to such a tragedy. Before I begin on that issue, let me first remind the readers of a story taken out of Luke's account in the Bible (Luke 13:2-4) .

Jesus once told a story about a tower falling on about 18 people in a town called Siloam. After telling the story, he asked the question, "do you think the people who died in the accident are any worse sinners than those who live in Jerusalem?" To which he replied, "No! And unless you (those in Jerusalem) repent, you too will likewise perish." There are many things that could be said on this story, but I only use it as a platform from which I will give an answer to the question the blog asks. Are the people of Haiti more wicked that we in the United States? Well, quite obviously someone may say, "they practice voodoo as their religion, and commit ungodly crimes." Well, have you not read..."all we like sheep have gone astray" and "all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory?" God is no respecter of persons, and he does not choose one sinner over another, based on the sinner. As it is written..."God has mercy on whom he has mercy, and compassion on whom he has compassion."

Any sinner, whether Haitian or American, does not merit God's mercy based on their sin. Again, "all have sinned, and have come under the just judgment of God." Rather - and this must be seen if any humility is to be birthed in us - the evidence of God's mercy on a particular person, is that the person does not sin as much as they could. All persons have certain proclivities to produce great and terrible evils, it is the sovereign God of the universe who curtails, and altogether frustrates our sinful desires. So all that being said, I would have to say that the Haitians sins aren't any worse than ours here in the US (not to mention, we here do some pretty wicked things too!). So why did the earthquake occur in Haiti and not here? My answer is simple: I don't know. I honestly don't know. And, since the Bible doesn't tell me as a Christian why God allows calamity in one place, and prosperity in another, I cannot in truth or sincerity tell you why Haiti is suffering. What I can tell you however, is that Haiti is suffering! I can also tell you why God saves people; the heading gives a hint - "for good works and to bring Glory to the Father."

So all that being said, what are you doing to help people in need, Christian? I know that all aren't able to be there physically, but there are other ways you can help. You can give to the missionaries and other organizations there. Honestly speaking, all help is good help to the Haitian people right now. However, if you are a Christian, there is more at stake here than just being good and moral people. We are not solely a "nice people" who help others when in need. We exist for more. We exist as walking and living reminders - reminders that point to the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. There is more at stake here than just physical and temporal needs (that is a need, and I pray you would help in any way you could!). Eternity coming. Jesus' words is still applicable today - "unless you repent, you too would perish in hell." So how are we as Christian people to act?

We are to be a loving and sympathetic people who pray and give! We pray until we've prayed, and until God the All Mighty One hears us, and we give as if it were us in need. More than that, we are to take the good news of the gospel (which incidentally is seen for which it is intended - namely good news, often times in times of great despair) to a people who, just like everyone else, will one day die. Whether we die in an earthquake or in our beds is of little importance. What is important, however, is if we died as sinners who have been reconciled to God via faith in God's sacrifice, Jesus Christ.

If you would like to give to a creditable ministry who has been doing God's work in Haiti for awhile, please send your donations to:

Heritage Baptist Church

3585 Thruston Dermont Rd.

Owensboro, KY 42303

In car of Keith Maddy for Haiti