MINNESOTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION

The President's Corner

(Jul-Sep 2006)

Recently, a 46 year old Chancellor of the University of California-Santa Cruz leaped to her death. I was struck by the fact that she had four earned doctorates from M.I.T., including a PhD, had served with academic praise as a professor of electrical engineering in Washington state, and had been the Chancellor for a couple of years in the U of C system. While she had been under heavy criticism for a $600,000 upgrade to her University home and a newly created high paying position for her female "life partner," the Chancellor had the respect of her peers for her "commitment to diversity."

It is truly sad that this woman saw life so despondently, so darkly, that the only solution she perceived was her own demise. And yet, the Bible states in II Timothy 3:7 that those who reject His wisdom are "ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." When a person rejects the only solution to life God offers, they are left with only self-centered, self-mediated options.

I believe that we as Christians need to redouble our efforts to win the lost to Christ. There are literally millions of condemned souls in Minnesota who desperately need the life-changing gospel we possess. Happiness and satisfaction are not dependent on the education level a person may possess, the amount of money a person may have, or the possessions a person may "enjoy," If such things produce happiness, the rich would be laughing their way through life.

Most are not.

Indeed, all are in need of the saving grace of Christ, Perhaps, however, there is one thing sadder than the reality unbelievers face every day. It is the stubborn reality that far too many Christians are attempting to access comfort and happiness in the same fashion the world does, through reliance on self and things. If we are going to win the lost, we must also model the difference. Paul himself said, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."

Happiness is found in obedience. Let us commit ourselves to the further work of establishing churches throughout Minnesota so that all may hear the life-changing story of our Savior!