Bitter-sweet

The human race, without exception and with all of its individuals has a priority list that they value and adhere too. “One man’s passion is another man’s poison”, is a very accurate analogy of where we all stand in our carnal comprehensions of life in general. Even with the hidden agendas we conceal there are always articulated signs which can be seen if looked for. Sin has done such a work on the world’s inhabitants that even the most moral individual will suffer from the same disease. The problem we all have, from the greatest to the least, is that we always look to excuse ourselves and accuse others. It is a human flaw and sin is the offender. Did you know that those whose names are not found written in the Book of Life will be sent to hell by the exact thing they condemn others by, their own sin and not the sin of another. This is the way of the world. But for the Christian we are instructed to be aware of this certainty; "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:1-3)  

However even the Christian if honest with themselves find a war that rages in this ethos of their lives. We all in our own ways look to become masters of disguise and conceal what we are ashamed of, this is a common attribute of our sinful natures; however we are no longer slaves to sin, if we have the Spirit of Christ in us. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2Corinthians 5:17)

The fact is that the new has come, the believer is now covered by the Second Covenant which is far greater than the first. Jesus Christ has paid the price for our sin past, present, and future. God has reckoned this to be so and nothing can change this truth. The Lord Jesus Christ, God in the flesh paid the penalty for the repentant believer’s sin. However if we continue in sin looking for grace to abound, then we probably still live with a deceived heart and this is probably one of the most twisted truths within the Christian faith, not that the truth is twisted, how could it ever be? But the wrestling within man’s soul is what can almost drive him to despair. We must never find ourselves excusing sinful behaviour; whether it’s lustful sin or any one of the other commandments of God as it will eventually be brought out into the open if we do not wrestle against it seeking out God’s forgiveness. For the scripture is very clear on the matter; “Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'” (Matthew 7:20-23) – As Christians we have a responsibility to recognize the areas in our lives that rob us of our victories in Christ and to repent of those types of practises. It is a daily struggle that we all have to take seriously; it’s not about our brother’s sin per say but rather a reflection of ourselves that we need to address.

Creation has begun to rumble with far more intensity of late and that day draws even nearer. Time is something we all take for granted growing up, but as our end draws to its close we are often filled with regret. I saw this with my late father. Not the regret of Christ’s sacrifice on the believer’s behalf but of the time wasted with the gifts He gives us. Just as his life ended so shall it be for all of us, that great day will eventually arrive. Consciously I am becoming a lot more aware of that reality. God help us to use our time wisely…    

     

The time for childish behaviour, whatever that may be for you and me, must now end as our time on earth is very short. The message we need to get out to the world is that it is Jesus who has died for my sin and I need to let others know that this is all I live for. The Apostle Paul put it like this; “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (1Corinthians 2:2) – Therefore let us encourage each other towards good works; “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people."” (Hebrews 10:23-30)

God help us to use our time wisely from here on in and not to take the sacrifice of our great Saviour lightly, as we only get one crack at this wonderful free gift of having our sins covered by His marvellous ransom. “Jesus in my place” must be our motto from here on in and not the accusing of others while we look to excuse ourselves; it is only the Lord Jesus who perfectly accomplished this feat and in ourselves we will never accomplish that quest.

Signing off

Tyrone