Romans
1:28-32 “And even as they
did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a
debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with
all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness,
maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they
are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters,
inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning,
untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the
righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of
death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them."
Pastor
Kyle continues in our church’s “I need a
Miracle” sermon series. He started out by telling us the importance of witnessing
without fear the gospel of Jesus Christ for the advancement of the kingdom of
Heaven, but warns that there is a point where “pushing people” becomes
dishonoring.
1
Corinthians 3:6-8 “I planted,
Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is
anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who
plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward
according to his own labor.”
Hard
to believe that in the planting of the seeds of the gospel message and
watering, that pulling people from the very flame of Hell has a line, but there
is choice for Christ at the foot of the cross that has to be made and we have
to let them go at some point to find out for themselves. On the Highway to
Hell, you have to take the off ramp for Heaven – Matthew 7:13-14. Decisions
to follow Lord God, or the lack there of, have serious and eternal consequences.
Bad choices in life can be great learning experiences that can lead to
repentance and a U-turn to the Salvation Road via the Blessed Savior Jesus
Christ in our Maker Father God’s roadmap to Heaven.
Romans
14:12 “So then each of
us shall give account of himself to God.”
Taking
responsibility of others bad choices is not your or my godly duty. We reflect
the light and love of Christ to lead others to the Savior and Lord, but we are
never to be a “enabler” allowing them to stay and be comfortable in their sin.
Just as Jesus meets us all of us where we are as sinners but does not keep us
where we are, the Child of God must expect to see “good fruit” (Matthew 7:17-21) to be produced and visible
in the rescued. We all need to own our decisions. Sometimes, Christians need to
push back and make hard decisions in order to have Atheists and Agnostics own
their own decisions.
Daniel
2:21 “And He (God) changes
the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives
wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”
Pastor
Kyle warns that one thing being off can cause the rest to go bad. When we
encounter old problems and disturbed waters in life, try something proactive. Albert
Einstein said: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and
expecting different results.” We must fall into that trap while understanding
that God is truly in charge and in control of the situation. To dishonor the
authority that that the Lord puts in our life is to dishonor God.
In
Matthew
5:37, Jesus says: “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’
‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” Never say one
thing and mean another. All of us inevitably have issues with authority. Nobody
has to teach disobedience in children. Parent teach boundaries and obedience
based upon the Word, Will and Way of God. Sin is not some pet on a leash, but a
monster that wants to devour us. Know that none of us can handle sin and
messing with God catches up with us all.
God
is offering redemption, restoration, recovery, reconciliation and rehabilitation
in obedience and honor at the foot of the cross through Jesus Christ. Follow Lord God.
In
Christ, Brian
2 comments:
How desperately we need to hear and heed the Word of God. Thank you for the posts you share.
You are welcome Karen. Thank you for coming by the Blog and commenting. May you have a blessed Sunday and week as the Word of God is in your heart.
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