Saturday, April 21, 2012

The Great Equalizer

Eccl 4:1 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
King Solomon here is lamenting the great oppression he is observing in every crevice of society. He bemoans the inequity between the powerful and the powerless. This oppression continues to our day. Cyclical poverty begets exploitation. The haves oppress the have nots. Powerful banks dispense credit cards to reckless spenders like candy. The poor and needy masses irresponsibly abuse these venom laden resources resulting in the extraction of godless usury. The rich become richer and the poor become poorer and the subjugation cycle continues. The middle class of our society is vanishing due to these oppressions that are done under the sun, that is, in broad daylight. We could reference the oppressions foisted upon those predisposed to crime, substance abuse and mental illness because they were born into the wrong social strata. A person does not need to have been born in a slum to be a target of the oppressor. Greed, avarice and corruption are no respecters of color or class. Those who deal in oppression would just as soon exploit a white middle class housewife in Sheboygan as a down and out gang banger from an L.A. barrio. Money, power and control drive the oppressors to sadistically keep others down while padding their own bank accounts. But our Lord does not see color, culture or class. He yearns to save from the uttermost to the guttermost. The ground is level at the foot of the cross. He is willing and able to save all who come to Him in humility to accept His free offer of salvation. No matter the zip code, Jesus preaches an “any man” gospel. "If any man will come unto me, I will in no wise cast him out." "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." "If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." By trusting the One Who loves in spite of status, a person can be transformed from being oppressed to being possessed of eternal life. If you are wilting under the heat of oppression, find relief in One Who will put up for your cause and give you rest for your weary soul.

1 comment:

Teresa said...

"from the uttermost to the guttermost"--I like that, Pastor Gary. All so very true! Hallelujah--we are all worthy to save.