Stay focused on God's word

Oct. 12 historically was celebrated as Columbus Day in most of the USA because on that date in 1492, Christopher Columbus landed on one of the Bahama Islands. This event’s celebration was made a Monday holiday, like many others, being celebrated this past Monday. I see several points of interest about Columbus and the day celebrating his “discovery” of America.

First, the Vikings were in the Western Hemisphere centuries before Columbus, but they didn’t colonize it like the more southern Europeans who followed Columbus. Besides that, those we now call “Native Americans” came from the Pacific side and spread throughout both American continents millennia before the Vikings arrived (New Mexico and a few other states celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day).

In considering the course of events of western colonization, I was reminded that, even before the foundation of the world, God established the plan for humankind to have the right relationship with him through the sacrifice of his son, Jesus, to pay for the sins that break the relationship (Ephesians 1:3-10; 2:14-17; Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 3:23; 6:23). Jesus eventually will return to this earth to take all those who’ve entered into that relationship to their heavenly destination, which is far greater than America (John 14:1-3; 2 Peter 3:13; Philippians 3:20-21).

Regarding changing the date of the Columbus Day celebration, making us check the calendar every year to learn the date of the second Monday in October, instead of just knowing it’s Oct. 12, God has established two critical and unchangeable dates. The first is actually the first day of every week (Sunday), upon which Christians are to meet with Jesus remember his sacrifice and the fact he’s coming again for us (Acts 2:42; 20:7; Hebrews 10:19-31; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32; Matthew 26:26-29; 18:20). Second, God set the date of Jesus’ return without telling anyone the date so we’re to always be ready (Acts 17:30-31; Matthew 24:36-51; 2 Peter 3:14). I also was reminded that although people change dates and other aspects of history based on their contemporary perspectives, God doesn’t change; when he makes a promise, he sticks with it (Hebrews 6:13-20; 1 Peter 1:23-25). So, when he told people in the first century how to be saved (enter into the right relationship with him), that’s still the mechanism for today (Acts 2:38-39; Galatians 1:6-9).

It also occurred to me that, while Columbus was trying to find a more direct route to Asia and the East Indies than sailing around Africa, the Americas got in his way. Sometimes it’s good to have your path blocked, such as the cases of Balaam and Saul of Tarsus (Numbers chapters 22-24; 2 Peter 2:15-16; Acts 2 6:9-20). On the other hand, we’re not to let anything hinder us from focusing on Jesus, his sacrifice. and his return (Hebrews 12:1-4).

Have you allowed man’s revised interpretations of the Bible to hinder you from doing what God said be saved (Matthew 15:1-14; Acts 17:11)? Just stay focused on God’s word.

Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan who writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected]