So Manny Pacquiao lost to Bradley on a shady unanimous decision. Social media had been on outrage mode past few hours. And like something we can see coming, people started blaming his loss to his change of faith. I think now the world is watching, in and out of church-world, whether his newfound faith will stand the test of unpopularity.I am reminded by what I read from the Bible today: Luke 13:1-5 ...
Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
Even in Bible times people had been wondering about the age old question. Do people always deserve the bad things that happen to them? Jesus confronts this issue amidst the events of his day: News of his fellowmen killed by the Roman prefect; 18 people died when a tower fell on them. He exposes the critical hearts of the people: "Do you think they were worse sinners because they suffered this way?" "Do you think they were more guilty than all the others?"
Did Pacquiao deserve the loss that befell him? Isn't it true, that sometimes we associate a person's misfortune for their sins?
Jesus answer was a short and straight "No", people who suffer bad things doesn't mean they are bad people, and in the same way people who enjoys good things doesn't mean they are good people. The reality of life sets in--life is unfair, and one day we all die.
And sometimes we even put a much heavier burden upon us. We live in guilt that we associate every low light of our lives to a past mistake? Are you living your life like one always running after something, or running away from something? Jesus offers an escape to this downward spiral--Repent.
Repentance is often defined as a change of course to the opposite direction. The Filipino equivalent "pagbabalik-loob" is describes the act in a more visual manner. It's turning away from sin and returning of one's heart God. He said it twice, "Unless you repent, you too will all perish." So Jesus is saying, no, people who suffer doesn't always deserve it, and yes life is unfair, and unless you turn back to God, your story will end up like theirs--hopeless tragedy. Everybody dies, but not all die in vain. So the more important matter to settle before we die is "Have we made ourselves right with God?"
By us alone we cannot make ourselves right with God. Sin has tarnished our soul so bad that we are incapable to draw near to Him. We can only be made right with God, i.e. experience a loving relationship and enjoy a full life with Him by acknowledging His Son, Jesus Christ. He bore and died for our sins so that we can be right with God. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." Whosoever--anyone, Believes--no complicated formulas or animated rituals. God's invitation is open to everyone and that includes you.
What are you going to do about it?
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