SERVING SIN

 

Thursday, March 6, 2025

 

SERVING SIN

 

John 8:34

34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

 

Well, that sounds simple enough. It even sounds benign, soft, and not a problem. Our blinded minds tell us even after reading this that it won’t be too bad after all considering the delicate pleasures of certain of our very favorite sins. Hebrews 11:25 tells us that there are pleasures in sin … for a season. It does not last. Beauty turns quickly to fierce ugliness and pleasantries are turned to harshness. Sins allurements become dangerous demands.

 

You can see the torment in the faces of those who have been entangled in sin. The eyes cry out for help but when help is offered the rescue is rebuffed because sin tightens its grip. Release from that grip can’t take place without someone suffering some pain. Jesus took that pain for me but there is still some pain I must bear in tearing myself from the clutches of sin’s enslavement. I can’t sit nibbling on sin’s delicacies and expecting Jesus to rescue me without my personal cooperation. Personal experience has confirmed this over and over.

 

Even the born-again believer continues to suffer the entanglements of sin. Paul describes the condition painfully in Romans chapter 7.

 

 Rom 7:24-25

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

 

Dear Lord, today I am ready to be rescued. I will not resist your efforts to help me. I acknowledge that sin has pleasures and torments. Please come and make me yours alone. AMEN

 

FASHIONED BY HIS HAND!

 

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

 

FASHIONED BY HIS HAND!

 

Jer 18:3-6

3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.

4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter?

 

It is amazing what medical doctors are capable of doing these days. Those invisible bugs that invade us and make us sick can be eliminated by a handful of pills or a spoonful of tonic. Cardiologists can replace heart parts as simply as a mechanic changes oil and filter in your car. Plastic surgeons can do amazing things with features damaged by accidents or disease. But, as amazing as these things are, none compares to the handiwork of the Great Physician who crafts our soul.

 

God, the potter, can repair the “marred” vessel of humanity. He can emotionally. He has the heart for it. He is great enough in love to forgive the past and bless the future. He can legally. The sacrifice of Christ enables Him to do so in a way consistent with the justice of His character, the honor of His government, and the stability of His throne. He can easily. He has all the moral instrumentality necessary to reform the soul.

 

But man is morally free to make his own choices and to suffer the consequences of those choices. Man is responsible for his conduct. The social history of the world, the universal consciousness of man, and the concurrent teachings of the Bible all show this. Man is responsible for his destiny. Character is constantly being formed: it will emerge either marred or perfect, depending on whether you submit to the Divine will, or resist the influences He brings to bear upon you.

 

Dear Lord, help me to patiently wait for my formation in your hands. AMEN

 

DISCIPLESHIP JESUS STYLE!

 

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

 

DISCIPLESHIP JESUS STYLE!

 

Luke 14:26-27

26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

 

          Discipleship has evolved into a twelve week or a twelve-step program. When the class is finished the “disciple” receives a certificate, suitable for framing, declaring himself to be a true disciple. That’s not how Jesus did things.

 

          Jesus called His disciples simply but seriously. It meant something to follow Christ. It meant leaving employment for the fishing disciples and for Matthew it meant leaving his job as well. It required one to be always engaged. The following portion is Jesus’ discipleship plan.

 

Matt 11:28-30

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 

          Jesus invited his followers to be with him and to observe him and to copy him. Discipleship is not like a microwave meal but more like a seed planted. It grows gradually and bears fruit slowly. The only certificate of recognition was scars, stripes and martyrdom.

 

          If numbers impress you, Jesus had a shrinking following. Five thousand gathered for bread and fish. There were 120 in the upper room, but only eleven of the twelve were faithful. Judas had a “certificate” and held an important office but proved himself to not be a true disciple.

 

“In the matter of saving lost souls, Jesus wants His house to be filled (Luke 14:23); but in the matter of personal discipleship, He wants only those who are willing to pay the price.” Warren Wiersbe

         

Dear Lord, help me to understand and to comply with the rules of discipleship. Help me to understand the cost involved. Help me to bear fruit in due season. AMEN