Christ Improves Every City

What’s one thing that would instantly improve your city?

I’ve heard this illustration from Todd Friel. If your car were broken down, and you were in a shady part of town, and a group of men were walking towards you, would it make you feel better if you knew they were just leaving a Bible Study. You might even get help.

That is the difference between Christians and non-Christians. Naturally, we are selfish, self-interested, and self-willed. It’s all about the self. Even the good we do is corrupted because it is about making ourselves feel better.

Christians, on the other hand, believe everything is about Christ and His Kingdom. We are stewards of what God has given us so Jesus will be pleased when He returns.

This was supposed to be the attitude of the Jewish exiles during the Babylon captivity.

“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:7, ESV).

Christians who have this attitude make everywhere a better place to live. We are called to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, and have our lives witness the transformation that Jesus gives when we repent and trust in Him.

Bad news: we have all lied, used God’s name in vain, stolen, and looked with lust. We are lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterers at heart. We all deserve to burn in Hell for all eternity.

Good news: God is rich in mercy. He sent Jesus Christ, truly God and truly man, to live a sinless life, die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, and rise from the dead three days later. God calls all people everywhere to repent (turn from sin) and trust in Jesus Christ to save them from sin.

God will seal His people with the Holy Spirit, who keeps His people saved, transforms them from evil to Good, and keeps them holy. God makes everything better.