Romans
3:21-26 “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.”
Pastor
Kyle continued through his Sunday sermon series on the book of Genesis, and he
reminded us that one of the times which we are most vulnerable to spiritual
attack is during or just after a significant ministry victory. This fact is not
new, as the Bible, which shows the depth of human depravity attests. Nobody is
perfect, except for the Lord Jesus Christ. Why is that? Two reasons: (1) Jesus
(who is God incarnate) said in Mark 10:18: “Why do you call Me good? No
one is good but One, that is, God.” and (2) because man is
not the hero of this story; God is. History is His story. Two things I know for
sure: (1) there is a God and (2) I am not Him. Could you imagine if prideful, sinful
man was in charge? In their greed and lust for power, position and prosperity,
some make a bad situation worse by exposing others behavioral failures and
shortcomings in order to advance their self. But, deeds done in darkness shall
be revealed with consequences.
Luke
8:17 “For nothing is
secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not
be known and come to light.”
Kyle
mentions how all the Patriarchs of the Bible demonstrated their human flaws and
imperfections. In Genesis 9:20-21, after the worldwide flood destroyed the world,
Noah plants a vineyard, makes wine, drink until drunk while naked. Getting
intoxicated is not God’s desire because substances are not to control or
influence us, God is at all times. Any item outside of the Holy Spirit can lead
to sin and their associated pitfalls. Even though a secular state may vote to
legalize mind-altering substances for recreational use, Christians should live
by a higher calling and steer clear of such vices and walk obediently in the
Spirit. Everyone has sin they hope to keep hidden, but when we appear at the
Great White Throne judgment (Revelation
20:11-15), the books are opened and all are judged by Jesus according to
their works on earth. Every secret will be revealed. “Anyone not found written in the Book of
Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Sin must be paid for.
But,
everyone is offered redemption for bad choices made on this side of Heaven in
Jesus Christ. Hebrews 11:6 tells us: “Without
faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to
God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who
diligently seek Him.” John 3:16 tells
us: “For God so loved the world that He
gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but
have everlasting life.” Good gone bad can go good again.
Deuteronomy
29:29 “The secret things
belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to
us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
In
Christ, Brian
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