Restore a right spirit in me...

Romans 8:39 “…nor anything else in all creation…”

What would be the death of a Christian? Well, without over-philosophizing with a play on words, it would be good to keep it simple. We are taught that nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God and yet we are left with responsibility as Christians…   “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39): - This then would obviously cover our own inability to do the right thing as we have all been tainted by sin, as it clearly stipulates “nor anything else”, which must include even ourselves. However it is also very clear from scripture that we are accountable for our own actions; “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12)

Both truths will certainly play their part in the life of the Christian. What is my responsibility? I must leave certain truths to the mercy and faithfulness of God, for He is just and will work out His perfect plan to perfection without any impartiality concerning His righteousness. If this was not truth all it would prove is that God is imperfect and we know that is false. He is perfect and everything He does will ultimately prove His perfection. For us then to try and humanize God with our own fickle imaginations would be a serious mistake. How could we the created ever try to teach the creator right from wrong and yet we had a tendency to do it. What mercy, patience, longsuffering, kindness, perseverance and total dedication God has for all who belong to Him. Why? Simply put, Jesus Christ the Lord! Praise His glorious and I mean remarkable name now and forever more, Amen!

Back in time God singled out a people whom He called His own, the Israelites, those born from the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But before long it was evident that sin ran rife amongst His people, no differently to its effect on all of mankind even today. But with God there can be no place for sin as He is sinless and what fellowship can light have with darkness? They cannot co-exist!

God through Moses then introduces the law, the Ten Commandments. I want us to consider the complexities of the law and those who lived under it. It must have been a time of structure with lots of rituals worked into their lives on a daily basis. This was needed so that they could find favour with God. When a sin was committed a sacrifice was required to pardon the offender. An animal needed to lose its life. It would have been a gory time, blood spilt on an on-going basis. Just pause for a moment and try and visualise this type of lifestyle. Even a woman menstruating was considered unclean under her cycle and if someone happened to touch her they too were then considered unclean. They would have been ordered to wash with water and follow a particular ritual before they could be accepted back into the fold.  

Now let us consider it from God’s perspective; He would need to decide whether or not to forgive the offender and the offence. Once a year the high priest would enter the holiest of holies and offer up a sacrifice for the people. And on occasion God would not receive the sacrifice and he would die… Until the glorious work of the cross, yes praise the name of Jesus. It is now not about whether or not to forgive, Christ has paid the price for sin and it is finished! For those found in Him, they have all been sanctified by his blood. There now are no more if’s and but’s!

With that said, how does this affect us in our daily walks? I remember as a new believer walking into a movie house and watching on Hollywood block buster. I remember leaving feeling rather vexed. Some much of what it had to say was in total opposition to who God is. But through time and because of sin once again rearing its head in my life, it is obvious that my conscience has been anesthetised. It no longer responds like it once did. However with that said, everything hinges on the Lord Jesus Christ and the finished work of the cross. There is nothing that will keep a believer from seeking out His face, NOTHING! For those who choose to play the manic–depressive disorder card or those who suffer from addiction or even when I say that people don’t understand me and I am who I am, I can’t help it. It is all a lie! Christ has overcome and our sustenance lies in Him. We must learn to call out to Him in every area of our lives. Is my conscience seared; well my glorious Saviour is capable of heightening it senses once again. Do I suffer from depression? Call upon the name of the Lord, and do not let people, sinners convince you that you are a basket case… “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Add to this list if need be because the Lord Jesus has conquered all!

Wherever we find ourselves, it is up to us as believers to seek out God’s face. He has and ear for His children, but the responsibility lies with the child to come and find grace to help in time of need. The lessons of life are there to teach us to become more reliant on the Lord Jesus and less captivated by our own failure. We will always fail in one form or another if our eyes shift from Him onto ourselves.

My prayer today would be “restore a right spirit in me” and I know I am heard because of what Jesus achieved on Calvary, praise His name!

Signing off

Tyrone