God makes a proposal in II Chronicles 7:14 that needs our reviewing and action. It says; “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” This promise supports the mission statement of The United Methodist Church, which says we are to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
The season of Lent calls us to recognize that sin is destructive in many ways, but it doesn’t have to be. Many, if not most, of the world's problems are the result of men and women being alienated from God. Jesus has made it possible for all humanity to again be reconciled to God by his death on the cross. It was John the Baptist who recognized Jesus as “the lamb of God.” John’s listeners would know the lamb is the dominant sacrificial victim offered up for the sin of humanity. Jesus said of himself that “the son of man came to give up his life for the ransom of many.” The apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians, “through Jesus God chose to reconcile the whole universe to himself, making peace through the shedding of his blood upon the cross to reconcile all things whether on earth or in heaven, through him alone.”
Christians know the truth of the above. In 2 Corinthians we are told that “God has reconciled us men to himself through Christ, and he has enlisted us in this service of reconciliation.”
We have been given responsibility for making disciples which, if successful, will lead to the healing of the land. This is the promised result of humbling ourselves before God, praying, and turning from any wickedness.