No Condemnation
You may have heard it before: "It's your fault." "You're a failure." "You ruined it." Those are certainly not words anyone would want to hear. Sometimes we are honestly able to respond with, "It's not my fault." But what about those instances when you did fail; it was your fault. What can you do?
An apology fitly spoken would be a place to start. Earnest regret, however, will not always render a situation whole again. More is needed. Restitution? Perhaps.
What can be done for the failing heart of humanity? What remedy exists for our sinful nature?
God offers forgiveness through the sacrifice of His Son. He chooses to accept us, if we accept His offer. We will not be condemned. Romans 8:1a says, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..."
Thursday, July 03, 2008
The Light Was Good
Did you see the sun when you awakened this morning? Did you turn on a lamp to illuminate your home when the final rays of light outside were gone?
Light. What is light?
Scientists have categorized it, defined it, and manipulated it. Nevertheless, it has remained unchanged since its creation. God (who in Romans 4:17 is described as He who, "calls things that are not as though they were.") knew in the beginning that He was about to make Adam and Eve, complete with eyes that would see and minds that would perceive, light.
James 1:17 says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." Light is a gift from God, enabling us to experience His creation as it is revealed by sight.
When we enjoy the midday sun, the crescent moon or a campfire under the stars, we should remember--God created the light and He saw that it was good----and He gave it to us.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
A Way That Seems Right
The area where I live is warm throughout most of the year. Given the toasty climate, insects thrive. Through the years, I've had my confrontations with many. Who ultimately wins? The ants...
They are never quite gone. Even when I think they are, they are just hiding--in close proximity, no doubt. Case in point: one of my sons, whose name I shall not mention, left a glass recently in their bedroom. It had previously contained milk. Now, only a thick film was left, dehydrated and sticky. Looking into it, I saw A LOT of ants. Almost all of them were dead--stuck to the milk film.
Evidently, the contents of the forgotten glass must have looked good, smelled good and tasted good--to an ant. Yes, most likely ONE ant. He probably heralded the fantastic find to another, who called another, and soon the whole crowd was there for the meal of the day. There was just one problem. It was to be the last meal. Period. Sticky milk at the bottom of a tall glass may have seemed to be the right choice, but it turned out to be the worst possible avenue to follow.
What about people? Are we like those ants? If we're not careful, temptation may lead us to what looks good, smells good, seems good----but then we find we're stuck, like ants in the milk. It may even have been our friends who ushered us unknowingly to that point.
If we weigh our actions and decisions against what God instructs, we should be capable of making a wise choice. We need not be drawn in to the destructive cycle of worldliness that silently motions us toward the snare, beckoning our feet to make just one more step into the trap that awaits us. He will give us discernment and wisdom, if only we will ask.
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