Tag Archives: sin

Squandering A Blessing

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John 6

Jesus was focused on His mission. But the Jewish people didn’t want a spiritual Savior, they wanted a human king, someone like them who would overthrow Roman rule. Jesus knew they were eager to make Him into that king. But becoming that king would have been disobedience, and Jesus wasn’t having anything to do with that. He was not about to compromise the mission.

So Jesus did something that spoke to me today. He removed Himself from their presence, and went instead into the Presence of the Father. Jesus went up the mountain alone to find a secluded spot where He could pray in private.

We Christians are being coerced into compromise these days. Giving in is the easy thing to do. But it’s sin. We go ahead and call people by their preferred pronouns, pretending along with sinners that a person can change his or her God-given gender. We embrace sin, tolerate false teaching, blend in so as not to offend way too often. We’ve even changed the way we worship so it’s appealing to non-believers, instead of what is required of the One we are supposed to be worshiping. Compromise has become the norm, and it’s becoming a requirement for Christians.

I’m wondering if we shouldn’t learn from Jesus’ example. Have we neglected the blessing of prayer, the incredible privilege of shutting ourselves off from the world for a moment to spend some intimate time with the Creator God who loves us? Even Jesus knew the importance of intentional communion with the Father. Shouldn’t it be obvious that we need it even more?

I think the evidence that we are squandering this blessing of prayer is plainly seen. If we were praying for God to reveal sin in us, He would. If we asked Him to cleanse our hearts, He would. If we asked Him for strength to stand up to the temptation to compromise, He’d gladly give us the strength. We have not because we ask not.

And we compromise because we don’t have the strength to stand. Look around. Are we happy with where our compromises have taken us?

We have the privilege of prayer. It might take some effort to climb a mountain to get alone with God. We might have to step away from technology for a few minutes, remove ourselves from the hustle and bustle of life, from our families and friends. It might be a bit inconvenient. But anything worth having is worth working for.

And I think tapping into the gift of prayer is worth it. How sad when we squander this precious privilege of prayer.

Truly Free

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Malachi

There is so much in this wonderful book. But if we take only one thing away from it, we’ve got to understand God will be honored, respected, obeyed, and worshiped alone. He’s not fooled by good works or fancy words. He recognizes the pure and the contaminated. He will not accept anything less than what He demands – no exceptions.

That fact should cause us to fear Him. It’s His way or hell.

But He is not a tyrant. He’s not a slave-driver. He is love. He is just. He is a friend and a father. What we seem to have trouble grasping is that His way is what is best for us. It’s better than anything we can come up with on our own. Your best plans, your most favorite dreams, are nothing compared to what God offers.

It’s like a prisoner chained to a wall saying, “I don’t want freedom on God’s terms. I’d have to give up my chains. I’d have to move out of my cozy cell. I’d rather paint a picture of the sky on my wall than step out and see it for myself. I’d rather hug a mannequin than be embraced by God.”

You’d think that prisoner has lost his mind. Especially since you’ve seen the sky and know how beautiful it is.

Well, my friend. I have seen the sky. I have been embraced by God through the blood of His Son, Jesus. I am free from the chains of sin because I have repented of those sins, and I am forgiven. Why wouldn’t I want that for you, too?

For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will lead them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. (Malachi 4:1-2)

That’s what God, through the prophet Malachi, wants us to take away from his book. There are only two sides to this coin called life. Choose wisely. There is only one way to be truly free.

HIs name is Jesus.

Shattered Power

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Daniel 9-12

Every time I read this portion of Scripture a great sadness comes over me. There are a lot of things about this prophecy and it’s parallel in John’s Revelation I don’t understand. But I do understand that the rise of evil will reach an unprecedented level before Jesus returns.

There will come a time when “the shattering of the power of the holy people” happens, and “life on earth will end.” (12:7)

That makes me sad. The power of the Church will not be be overcome by force from the evil one. That’s not going to happen because greater is He in us than he that is in the world. But He, not the world, has to be IN US.

The only way for evil to win is for Christians to surrender to evil. The power of the Holy Spirit in us will shatter when we compromise, ignore what God says in His Word, when we replace Him with the lies, worship ourselves, our ideals, love, tolerance, inclusion, and redefine sin. It will be we Christians who render the Holy Spirit powerless to save by choosing to be vessels He can’t use.

And then the end will come.

Don’t Bow

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Daniel 3

So, King Nebuchadnezzar had a huge statue built, as high as the lighthouse on Saint Simons Island. You couldn’t miss it! Then, the decree went out – you WILL bow down to this idol, or die.

You probably know the story. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow. When everyone else hit the ground when the music played, those three young men stood tall. They must have stood out like those brave athletes who refuse to bend a knee during the National Anthem. Kind of hard to miss.

Got me to thinking about other formidable idols being erected today: transgenderism, homosexual marriage, pronouns, abortion, climate change, COVID, socialism, progressive Christianity, wokeness…

Lots of idols there!

In fact, there are so many it seems people are walking on their knees, bowing here, bowing there. They exist in a constant state of surrender to this idol, and to that. Less and less people are standing tall.

The threat of punishment is real. And getting more real every day. So what’s a person to do?

Look at this portion of Scripture. You’ll find the answer. Those brave young men were able to stand strong because they truly trusted God. They trusted God whether they lived or died. They trusted God whether they were heading for hardship, or whether God would deliver them. They trusted God.

The result was, they were thrown into the fire with the intent it would kill them. But the fire didn’t kill them, did it? In fact, the fire didn’t even touch them even though they were walking right in it. And… the most amazing part of it… Jesus was right there walking in the fire with them. The king and his men actually saw Jesus in the fire with them. They saw Jesus.

So many of us don’t let Jesus do that for us. And sadly, we don’t allow Jesus to be seen by those who want us to surrender to their idols.

We surrender to the idol of transgenderism when we call a woman “him” because she mutilates her body and pretends to be male. We bow to the idol of progressive Christianity when we sing the songs that glorify our own feelings, when we accept the downplaying of sin in favor of “love.” We bow at the feet of government when we allow ourselves to be manipulated into closing the doors of our churches, keeping ourselves quarantined and isolated, wearing masks that do nothing but make us fall into line, and putting untested chemicals in our bodies because someone erects the idol of “science.”

We’ve all done it. We bow, and keep bowing to idols unseen, yet as real as Nebuchadnezzar’s giant idol in ancient Babylon where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow. Can we join together, support one another, and change that?

Let’s stand on the Truth God has revealed in His Word, exactly as He has revealed it in His Word. Let’s not fear those who would have us bow to the prince of this world, because…

greater is He who is in you than the one who is in the world! (1 John 4:4)

You’ve Got My Attention

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Ezekiel 22

God compares His children to a whore. I know, not a gentle comparison, is it? His wording is graphic and coarse. What He describes is disgusting and crude. It’s hard to imagine these words coming out of the mouth of God.

As shocking as this portion of Scripture is, I have to ask myself why? Why would God be so explicit as He expresses His disgust with the behavior of His children as they adopt the worship of their neighbors’ gods?

Well, for one, He certainly got my attention. And two, I don’t have to guess at what God thinks about my own inclination to put someone or something ahead of Him in my love and adoration. I don’t have to guess what God thinks about my own disobedience. And I don’t have to guess where my rejection of Him is heading.

So today I hear you, Lord. Forgive my whoring. Cleanse me. I don’t want to disgust you, or hurt you. Thank you for grace. Thank you for the cross. I pray that neither Oholah nor Oholibah will describe me ever again.

You’ve got my attention.

When God Becomes The Enemy

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Lamenations 1-2

A popular view of God makes Him out to be milk toast, a wet noodle, a doting Grandpa, a weak parent who can’t say “No” to His self-centered children. That is NOT the God of the Bible.

Yes, God is love. But not without His holiness. I’m not sure we really get that.

The truth about God is that He loves people. In fact He loves people so much He went to the cross to provide the only way sinful people can be in the presence of Holy God. We can try to figure out our own way to Him, look for a back door or loophole. But if we want to be accepted by God and enjoy the love He has for us, we gotta play by His rules.

He’s not asking us to approve of His plan. He’s demanding we accept it. And honestly, it’s not that hard. Quite the contrary. It’s an amazing plan!

Warning: if you don’t accept His plan, if you reject the Gospel of Jesus, hear Him say He is NOT your friend. He is your enemy. And I’m not sure you are ready for that reality, no matter what you’re telling yourself at the moment.

When God becomes the enemy, we are in serious trouble.

How Much Clearer?

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Jeremiah 18-22

If you turn from wickedness. If you obey. If you humble yourselves. All of these “ifs” are followed by God’s promise to bless and not curse, to restore and not destroy.

If you continue to sin. If you turn your back on God and refuse to repent. If you insist on being your own god, then brace yourselves. God’s judgment will come without mercy.

How much clearer does God have to be?

Come on, Christian. What is it going to be? The choice you make today will bless or curse your life both now and in eternity. But it will also impact your family, your church, and collectively our communities, nation, and the world. Your decision, my decision, the decision of all of us who call ourselves Christians is that important.

How much clearer does God have to be?

God’s Enemies

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Isaiah 63

Sometimes I read Scripture and am struck by the fact that God considers people who reject Him His enemies. I know He is loving and patient and kind. What He is not is accepting of disobedience. He’s not playing around.

The thing is, He Himself died to make a way for HIs enemies to become His dearly loved children. But in order to move from the enemy category to the family category, we have to go through the cross. There is no other way.

God loves His enemies. God is patient with His enemies. But they are still His enemies.

Yes, it’s a spiritual battle we are in. Satan is the leader of the opposition. We humans align ourselves with one or the other. The question is: are you God’s enemy or are You His child?

I pray you are His child.

Arms Open Wide

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Isaiah 54-65

Have you ever bent down and opened your arms, expecting the embrace of a child running toward you, only to have them veer away and jump into the arms of someone behind you who also has arms stretched out to receive them?

That’s the picture I get when I read 65:1-2. It’s a picture of God, saying to a rebellious people, “Here I am! Here I am!” Arms outstretched to receive them, coming up empty. How many times can God be rejected before He responds?

I will not keep silent, but I will repay. (verse 6a)

God’s not talking only about people who have never known Him. He’s talking about His children. Earlier, God inspired Isaiah to tell us what He thinks about His children’s religious activities.

In chapter 58 He talks about false fasting. They go through the motions in order to feel good about themselves. They think God owes them something because they fast. But even in their fasting, their hearts are unrepentant, and God’s not having it!

When I read Scripture I see our God who is not willing that anyone die without Him. I see our God who goes to great lengths to draw everyone to Himself. I see His anger toward sin, and His desire to save us from the devastating consequences of our sin.

I see God stretch out His arms on that cross and say, “Here I am! Here I am!” knowing that whoever calls on His name will be saved.

It’s not about religious activity. You can go to church and be as disobedient and lost as an atheist. It’s about surrender. It’s about humility and repentance.

In these chapters I read today in the book of Isaiah, there is also a picture of what God intends for those of us who don’t veer away, but who jump into His saving arms and experience His grace and mercy. It’s what He wants for all of us.

I hope you’ll take time to read these chapters and hear God say to you, “Here I am! Here I am!” Whether you’ve never repented, or if you call yourself a Christian yet hold onto sin, run into the open arms of your Savior and let Him do what He died to do.

Right now, God is bending down and opening His arms to you. Arms open wide! Run! Jump! You won’t be sorry.

By His Stripes We Are Healed

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Isaiah 53

First let me say God is the Great Physician. If there is healing of any kind, it comes from God. From that hangnail that annoys us, to broken bones, to cancer, when healing occurs it’s because God heals.

But Jesus didn’t suffer and die to heal our physical ailments. There was no need. God was and continues to be the Healer.

Isaiah 53:5 is often quoted out of context to say our physical bodies ought to be healthy because Jesus took a beating. But that is NOT what God is saying here. Read it for yourself. Start with verse one and read through to the end of the chapter. It clearly says Jesus suffered and died for our sin, our iniquity, transgressions, our griefs and sorrows. He was crushed when his soul made an offering for our guilt. He bore our iniquities so we can receive His righteousness.

There is no mention of any physical ailment. None. Jesus didn’t go to the cross so He could knit our bones back together or shrink that tumor. He has been doing those things from the beginning. He continues to do those things today.

What He did on that cross was so much more important than healing these bodies of ours that will one day die. Jesus died once and for all so that our sins can be forgiven, so that our sin-sick hearts can be healed. By his stripes, those wounds that he incurred at the hands of his captors, we are healed from the fatal disease of sin.

Let’s praise God for taking care of our physical bodies. But let’s not claim that the cross was anything less than the price you and I deserved to pay for our sin. The cross, and everything that Jesus endured to get there, was about our need of a Savior. By His stripes we are indeed healed, the eternal healing of our souls.