Week 4 For Such A Time As This | Living as Citizens of Heaven in a Divided World

The Book of Esther concludes with a powerful reminder that God works behind the scenes even when His name isn't mentioned. We witness the dramatic reversal where the Jewish people, once marked for destruction, are granted the right to defend themselves and ultimately triumph over their enemies. This isn't just an ancient story of survival—it's a profound lesson about divine justice and the courage to stand up when moral lines are crossed. The establishment of Purim, a celebration named after the very dice used to determine their destruction, shows us how God can transform our darkest moments into testimonies of deliverance. But here's where it gets challenging for us today: we're called to discern when to stand up for justice while remembering that our primary identity isn't political—it's as followers of Christ. The tension between Old Testament conquest and New Testament love isn't a contradiction; it's a progression revealing that Jesus came not to establish an earthly kingdom through force, but to transform hearts through love. We must ask ourselves: are people recognizing us more for our political affiliations or for the King we serve? This message challenges us to reflect deeply on how we engage with injustice in our world while maintaining the heart of Christ—speaking truth without losing love, standing firm on moral issues without forgetting that every person we encounter is someone Jesus died for.