Lessons from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in Okumamachi, Japan

The Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in Okumamachi, Japan, continues
to be the focus of great concern after the magnitude 9.0 earthquake occurred
on March 11. Oren Dorrel of USA Today explains the effects to the plant
which pose dangers to others: "The earthquake knocked out electricity to the
plant, which houses six nuclear reactors, and its cooling system.

The tsunami that followed wiped out diesel generators that provided backup
power to the systems. Without electricity to operate pumps that keep water
flowing over the nuclear fuel, water in the reactor cores and spent fuel
pools boiled away, exposing the fuel, which melted and caught fire. That
caused hydrogen explosions and released radiation, which has shown up in
drinking water, food and industrial goods exported to other countries."
Radiation can cause illness and even death in the event of overexposure.

Ever since the destruction caused by the earthquake and tsunami, brave plant
workers, subcontractors, defense troops, and firefighters have risked their
lives hooking up new power lines and getting water to the reactor cores to
try to cool them. These workers have become heroes to many in Japan and
throughout the world.

"Anybody that voluntarily enters a situation that puts [his life] on the
line can be called a hero, and those workers certainly meet that
definition," says David Lochbaum, director of the nuclear safety project for
the Union of Concerned Scientists.

One reason that these workers are at risk is due to possible radiation
exposure. They wear protective clothing and radiation meters to prevent
overexposure, but the threat remains very real.

The actions of these heroes remind us of Another who risked and gave His
life to save the lives of others.

About two thousand years ago the Son of the living God walked directly into
SIN's most concentrated radiation, allowed Himself to be touched by its
curse, and let it take His life. But by that act, He broke the power of
sin.

On the cross, "He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to BE SIN for us,
that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21).
His atoning sacrifice is the means by which we may be reconciled to God (2
Corinthians 5:18-21). "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so
that we might die to sins and live for righteousness" and "by His wounds,"
we may be healed (1 Peter 2:24). He died for us so that we might live.

Although we have been separated from God due to our sin (Romans 3:23),
through Christ we may be reconciled to God when we accept His offer of
salvation on His terms!

We can accept His offer of salvation by placing our faith and trust in
Christ (Acts 16:30-31), turning from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31),
confessing Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed)
into Christ so that our sins may be washed away (Acts 2:38: 22:16).

Sin's "radiation" places us in danger of the "second death" (Revelation
21:8). But through Jesus, we can be made whole and have eternal life (Rom
6:23).

Won't YOU accept His offer on His terms?

David A. Sargent