Monday, February 9, 2009

Lost & Found - February 07, 2009

Clouds, Mountain, Mountain Peak, Cold

Luke 19:10
“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." 

 My wife and I were watching a new episode of the hit television series “LOST” this week and she suggested that I write a message on that Biblical subject of being lost in sin. This Prime Time Sci-Fi Soap Opera has many complex characters, intricate plots and compound stories that the writers unfold with new and fantastic twists and turns, along with gaps in the storyline time that are slowly converging, while all-the-time with-holding some clues and revealing others that drive the imagination to keep the viewer guessing, on and off this mysterious island. It’s not about life ... or is it?! Matthew chapter 7 (from the Lord’s “Sermon on the Mount”) is some of the greatest learning’s about faithful living from Jesus, which drives my life. From verses 12-14 “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” 

Along with the ”Golden Rule”, I grasped the reality that the path to Heaven was “small & narrow” which only a few find, while “wide & broad” was the road to Hell, that many travel in life. Wow! The truth of Christ’s words brings to light the scope and seriousness of reaching the lost in this culture and world around us who do not know the way. Eternal destruction or eternal life; it’s our choice ... and no choice is Hell. The default is damnation. Why? Sin. Habakkuk 1:13 “You (God) are of purer eyes than to behold evil, And cannot look on iniquity.” Jeremiah 16:17 “For My (God’s) eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity hidden from My eyes.” Which road are you on? Have you come to the place in your spiritual life where you know for certain that if you were to die today you would go to Heaven, or is that something you would say you’re still working on? Do you qualify to get in? To attend any University, we must pass an “Entrance Exam” that asks: “Why should I let you onto my campus?” In the academic world, not everyone is granted admission into an institution of higher education. Admittance is not the default; there is a strict criterion based upon high standards that you must meet to qualify. Suppose that you were to die today and stand before God and He were to say, “Why should I let you into My Heaven?” What would you say? Admittance is not the default; there is a strict criterion based upon His highest standards (sinless perfection) that you must meet to qualify. Do you qualify for admittance through the “narrow gate”? We can not earn our way in Heaven. 

Romans 3:23 says: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. Without Heaven, we are all lost. But Jesus Christ is in the “Seek & Save the Lost” business ... that’s why He came. Matthew 18:11-14 “For the Son of Man (Jesus) has come to save that which was lost. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” Luke 15:4-7 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. 

By grace, God provided a plan of salvation for you and me through faith in Jesus. Through the blood of Christ, who paid the penalty for our sins, we are off the road to perdition, on the narrow road of redemption and enter Heaven on His qualifications. Through belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, born again from above and regenerated with a new heart, eyes that see and ears that hear with spiritual knowledge and discernment, that you may know that you have eternal life. Romans3:20-26 gives the full context of that amazing grace of God; “By the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” 

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found; was blind, but now I see. And for you “Lost” TV Series fans: “Jesus Christ is your constant” - Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever". Glory and honor be to God! Praise and thanksgiving be to Christ! 
Brian

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