Seeking Real Truth Minisitries - Seeking Higher Faith In Our Lord Jesus Christ

My Profile
Welcome | What Is SRTM? | Mission Statements | The Founder | Our Logo | How To Navigate
Activities Home | Current Activities | Upcoming Events | Ministry Goals
News Home
Features Home
Copyright Notices | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Fun & Games Home
Contributions Home | Financial Contributions | Calls For Service | Other Contributions | Immediate Needs
The Small Gate | The Condition Of Man | Why We Need Jesus | What Jesus Did For Us | The Invitation | Our Response | The Result
Log In | My Profile | Update Profile | Cancel Membership | Log Out
Site Map

Seeking Real Truth Ministries News

small logo

Katrina Devastates Gulf Coast

Mark John Ostrum - 2005-09-10 16:00:00

I was vacationing in the Philippines when Katrina slammed into the gulf coast. As I watched the reports of the devastation, the looting, the shootings, and the lack of immediate response by the local, state, and federal agencies I was appalled. I applaud the mayor of New Orleans for his strong comments asking to have whatever needed to be done to get done to get aid into the region.

Disasters strike from time to time. Many question why God allows such things to happen. Many people ask why good people have to die in such disasters.

The truth is, people die because we are sinful. Paul tells us in Romans that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is enternal life. We are all destined to die a mortal death because of the first sin of Adam and Eve. God told them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil or they will surely die. They ate, sin entered the world, and now we are all under the condemnation of mortal death.

God intended us all to live forever when he created the earth and man. But we sin. Even at birth we are born into sin. As time grew on in history, God promised a savior to deliver us from eternal death. That savior is the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth. He came to live a perfect life in our place, to die a sinners death, and to rise again in the resurrection. We can be assured that if we do not reject the gift of faith in him, we, too will live forever in heaven with him.

Was it wrong to go into the nearby stores and loot them? Stealing what does not belong to you is sin. There is clearly a line to be drawn in the case of Katrina's victims. There are those who took only what they needed for survival. I do not believe these people sinned. I would have taken what I needed to survive during an emergency myself. I freely admit that should a devastating earthquake hit San Diego where I live and i did not have any other way to obtain the food and water I needed to survive, I would not hesitate to enter a supermarket and take what I NEEDED.

There are those who were taking more than they needed, such as TV's, stereos, and other expensive items. These people are motivated by greed and selfishness. Should we condemn them? Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5:

1 Corinthians 5

12What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."

If the people who stole out of greed are not Christian, we should not condemn, but let the authorities decide what to do. In the end, the sins that are unrepented will not go unpunished. However, I would guess that some of those who looted more than they needed for survival during the emergency are self-professed Christians. If this is the case, then we are to confront them in accordance with God's word.

Galations 6

1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5for each one should carry his own load.

This leads to one more point. Although I am disgusted at the way the government agencies had initially responded to this emergency I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support by the people of the United States. Just as Scripture says in the Galations passage above, the people of this nation have contributed to carry each other's burdens. The people of this nation have loved their neighbor as themselves. Gods blessing be on all who made a contribution to the relief effort.

Disasters happen. Until our Lord returns, they shall continue to happen. Why? So we can be strengthened in our faith through them. In Jeremiah 12, Jeremiah complained to God about the struggles he faced. God replied:

Jeremiah 5

"If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?"

Unless we are allowed to face difficult times, we cannot grow strong. If we want to win at some competition of strength, we need to compete against someone or something stronger than ourselves. Only then can we grow stronger.

Father, I lift up the victims of Katrina. For those who lost loved ones, I ask that you comfort them, and through this trial, strengthen them in faith. For those who remain and are now struggling I ask that you also strengthen them and give them the endurance to continue on. In Jesus Name, Amen.

About Us | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | ©2004 Mark J. Ostrum, Seeking Real Truth Ministries