If Only!

If only!

If only I had… And I will let you fill in the gaps. Life is full of regrets, hindsight the perfect science. And yet our mistakes often teach us so much. Not to say that we aren’t left with the regret “if only!” However if and when God’ affords us the opportunity to come to our senses, we are grateful for the lesson, but until then our lives are full of remorse. This only applies to us while we breathe the oxygen God has freely afforded us. However once that chemical element no long keeps us alive, it will be too late for another stab at getting it right. We have all heard the quote, “we only live once”. A declaration which allows us to be wild and free. However it is our perception to that quote that’s needs evaluating. Some may arrive at a conclusion that we live and then we die and that is the end of that. That is a lie!

 

Deception of the highest order at play in the minds of the simple. Why do I single out those who believe that as the simple? We all come from the same substance, not a similar material but exactly the same stuff, we all have the same makeup. The human race, consists of a flesh and blood body and we all have a hidden part that is often referred to as the soul. It is not hidden from the individual but most certainly from those around us. That part of us that looks for the deeper meaning of life, the voice that is always speaking, the expressions that only you can hear, whether we like to admit this reality it or not, it lives. That part of you that has a need to be connected to God. We all look for that connection, even the atheist has the same desire, apart from this fact, the sin in their lives have so seared that portion to them that they cry; “there is no God”. I believe it is a similar driving force that keeps the sinner from approaching the light and calling upon the name of Jesus to be saved. The Apostle John records some of the Lords insight on how this works; “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”” (John 3:19-21)

 

It would be amiss of me not to be filled with compassion when it comes to the Christians hypocritical behaviour whilst travelling along the Christian road. I know that I have failed miserably in this area of my life, do I fly this flag alone? I think not! Without looking for justification or giving our sin a pass, our journeys are a marathon and not a sprint, most of us have been given a lifetime to work it out. Some learn the lessons the Word of God teaches faster than others. Thankfully God is faithful and extremely patient. Thank God for His longsuffering in a believer’s life. Without it I would already be in the pigs pens eating the husks of life. However, it’s the struggle that teaches us so many valuable lessons, praise God!

 

The soul is the part of us that constantly needs it desires met and so it needs scratching and until you come to your senses and cry out to Jesus to find forgiveness for your sin you will always be rubbing at that itch, and the more you scratch the itchier it gets. We have all been bitten by mosquitoes. It fascinates me how we almost always look for a substitute before we embrace the perfect remedy. I believe that it’s the sin in us that drives us there. That part of us that wants to keep us from the light. The Apostle Paul gives us insight into this in Romans chapter 7.

 

We have lived enough of life to understand that once we die, “if only” will ring out through the throes of eternity if we do not come to our senses. We need to find repentance for our sin and the God man Jesus Christ will save the sinner who repents and called out to HIM from the Lake of Fire. Sadly, millions will end up there, do you believe this? The Bible is clear on the matter. Whilst we have breathe we have hope, so I appeal to you to cry out to Jesus, plead your case to Him before it is too late and those words, “if only” remain glued to your lips for eternity.

 

Signing off

 

Tyrone