HURRICANE KATRINA, MEANS OF JUDGMENT OR OPPORTUNITY FOR HOPE

Hurricane Katrina, means of judgment or opportunity for hope?

I recall an uneasiness in my heart when some people related the September 11 tragedy to God's judgment, which I wrote about in my September 2001 newsletter. I am experiencing that same check in my spirit in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. For sure, there are many sins that can be pointed out in New Orleans. But doesn't this limit sin to negative-looking behaviors? What about proud people with positive-looking behaviors but impure motives in many towns and cities? What about the people in New Orleans who have pure hearts from Christ and exemplary behaviors…why would they be punished, too? Did not the death of Christ deal with the root cause of sinful behavior: sinful hearts? For me, a pat answer of God's judgment merely raises many many more questions.

We are tempted to be deceived into believing that grace is too light on sin. However, my heart yearns to testify that it is true grace alone that exposes sin for the subtle dead lie that it is. Apart from grace, sin is limited to negative-looking behaviors. Apart from grace, we are tempted to see the need for more of God's judgment, in addition to the cross. It was God's grace that exposed my self-righteousness…and I must tell you that my self-righteousness can look really good! I, like Paul, can say there is no one who has ever sinned as greatly as I have…no one. Only true grace trusts 100% in the sufficiency of Christ and His finished work through His cross.

Here is an excerpt from a letter from Dudley Hall (www.sclm.org) that ministers affirmation and hope to me:

It's natural for us to want to know the "why's" of the tragedies of life. But far too many of the "prophetic answers" I've heard are obsessed with the judgment aspect of the storm (Katrina). That perspective treats sin too lightly and appreciates Jesus' death too little. Our sin deserves more devastation than a Category 5 storm can deliver. Jesus took the judgment of God on Himself, and it cost Him His life. Of course, life's tragedies can be instruments of repentance, but speculating about the issues that deserved devastation too easily puts us in the Judge's seat. Relief is coming! But it won't be by FEMA. God is hearing the cry of people who have been born of the imperishable seed of God's word, and they will no longer settle for substitutes. They want the life promised in the gospel…a life of joy and persecution…a life of victory and pain. They won't mind that long life may evade them, as long as full life is guaranteed. They will be focused on Christ, and not the cultural definition of Christianity.