07/19/2020
We live in a sin-filled world, and in such a place as this God sent His precious Son Jesus to redeem us; to save the lost souls that we are. Into the very dwelling place of sin, evil, corruption, and death, He sent His child, a baby, His gift of life. His love was manifest in grace for you and me, and His perfect Son was made imperfect on the cross, being given over to sinners, taking on our sin, and sacrificing Himself, so that we might have life everlasting through Him. So, how are we receiving God’s love, His grace, and such a gift as this... His Son?
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23 ESV
We sail on a sea of sin in a ship of faith. We look out on the world around us and it looks like a pleasant sea with the smooth waves rolling long and low in peaceful fashion. The water is blue, and clear as glass, as we row along upon it, dipping our oars quietly, and thinking “how wonderful is this place”, but we should not be deceived, because just beneath the surface is a vicious place of sharp teeth, cold eyes, and death; with every creature devouring, or being devoured. This is the world we sail in, these are the creatures beneath our oars.
“The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
Genesis 6:5 ESV
When everything is calm, and the sun is shining down on us we fool ourselves into believing that Satan is not in the world, but then comes the darkness, and the fires light up the night sky as their flames outline shadows running rampant among them, killing all those who oppose them, and ignoring God. In the heat of their fever chaos is in their midst, they sweat with the labor of evil, and sin has become acceptable in their eyes.
“Therefore, as the tongue of fire devours the stubble, and as dry grass sinks down in the flame, so their root will be as rottenness, and their blossom go up like dust; for they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, and have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.”
Isaiah 5:24 ESV
This is the world now, and it was the same when God sent his innocent Son to save those who would answer His call. The mob that shouted “Crucify Him!” to Pilot is no different than what we see on television today, or outside our windows as we cower behind locked doors and pray for protection till morning. Ancient boundary stones are being moved, and our faith trampled upon... lost in the night fires.
“The princes of Judah have become like those who move the landmark; upon them I will pour out my wrath like water.”
Hosea 5:10 ESV
Churches give away the Word of God, and tear down the landmarks of truth to appease the crowd, win favor, and protect their buildings and coffers... all the while thinking prayers in the night will save them, and justify their sin, and wrong doing by day. So what are we to do? How are we to approach God with such filth on our hands? How do men, nations, and churches undo what they have done, and mend their relationship with God?
“if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV
Our mission, as those who remember the boundaries God has set, is the same one today that Jesus gave His disciples long ago. We are meant to go into the world, and make disciples of all nations, and baptize them. We are meant to harvest the wheat from fields filled with tares. God’s Word is uncompromising, because it is truth, and that is our commission... to deliver truth unto the world, and save the few, the crop, from the pollution of sin.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””
Matthew 28:19-20 ESV
So I ask again: “How are we receiving God’s love, His grace, and such a gift as this... His Son?“
This is the question that we should not only answer for ourselves, but shout out across the field of tares and wheat... that is the world. Don’t lose faith, don’t give away your righteousness for peace in the earth, but deliver the truth, and bear your cross. In this way we honor God, and hold dear His sweetest gift of grace... Jesus Christ. How do you answer?
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for your love, mercy, and grace. We thank you Lord for your Son Jesus Christ who you sent, in His innocence, to walk amidst sin itself to save us; we who have done nothing worthy of Him. Help us Father to honor you, and adhere to the boundary stones of faith and righteousness that you have set for us. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who harvests the souls of your children from within the world’s fields of sin and evil. Great are you who’s Word is truth, and forgiveness complete. Praised be your name for loving us, and delivering us from Satan’s clutches. Worthy are you, and your Son Jesus Christ. We live in our faith to glorify you, and we know that all glory is indeed yours Father. Hear our prayers of contrition, and forgive us our sins. Wash us clean in the blood of your Son Jesus, and by our faith in Him, dry our tears, love us always, and seat us at your table forevermore.
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Galatians 1:3-5 ESV
Rich Forbes