Preparing The Way of the Lord

It is traditional in many places to symbolically 'light the way' for Mary and Joseph's journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. It is safe to say there were few if any man-made lights to guide them on their trek, but nevertheless, God prepared the way for the coming of His Son through remarkable acts of His providence: the rise of the Roman Empire; the ascension of the Greek language; the prevailing philosophies of the day; the general dissatisfaction with society's decadence and Roman and Greek mythologies; a heightened Jewish anticipation for the coming of the Messiah; the decree of Caesar Augustus; and the birth of the forerunner to prepare the way. Christian, you and I are called as well to a ministry of 'preparing the way of the Lord,' by removing obstacles and stumbling blocks in the way of sinners. There are many who need a preparatory work of the Lord done in their own hearts. The stinging iodine of the law must precede the soothing balm of the gospel. Much modern evangelism avoids the message, 'God hates sin,' and jumps directly to the message, 'God loves you.' But the second message is misleading apart from the first. Are you preparing the way of the Lord, or crying 'peace, peace, where there is no peace?'