Michael continues: Mankind’s attempts to justify the lusts of their flesh, and the desires of their evil hearts are futile vain attempts to rationalize sin. Sin separates our hearts from God’s heart. Those who lust after sin run away from God. According to John 3:19, For every one that does evil hates the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. However the next verse says that those who love God and treasure treasures in heaven, run toward God: But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Those convicted of the lies of the devil attempt to cancel those who speak the truth of the Word of God. How do you respond to those who attempt to enforce the cancel culture? Paul said to Timothy, refuse foolish speculations. Don’t get discouraged by the lies propagated by those who are controlled by “the god of this world” (the devil) whose eyes he has blinded lest the glorious gospel of truth should shine unto them. For the Lord’s bond servant must not strive … he must not be quarrelsome. The battle is not against flesh and blood … it’s not against the people whom the devil uses as his mouthpiece. The battle is against the devil and his lies, deception, and accusations. Therefore, do not retaliate and recompense evil for evil. Instead counter the evil with gentleness, kindness, mercy, love and grace. As Paul said in Romans 12, be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world. The light is that which illuminates, makes things clear, and reveals the truth. The light of Christ illuminates the truth of the Word of God and dispels the darkness of the devil’s lies. The job of the Holy Spirit is to afflict the comfortable and to comfort the afflicted. Before a person can repent, he or she must be convicted of the sin, the missing of the mark of truth. We are called as light-bearers … let your light (of Christ) shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. For those whom God has chosen, the light will defeat the darkness of the devil’s focus on sin, guilt, shame, and having missed the mark of Christ. Then when a person comes to Christ with a heart of repentance, turning from sin and unto the Lord Jesus Christ, a broken and a contrite heart, God will not forsake.
It’s easy to focus on sin, on guilt and condemnation. How do you turn from sin? Sin is missing the mark. The Greek word for sin is “hamartano.” It’s made up of two words, “missing” and the “mark.” The emphasis of this word is not on the missing but on the mark. The devil focuses on missing. How do you not miss the mark? You aim at the mark instead of the missing. Therefore, set your affection on things of God. Treasure treasures not on the things of this world but instead treasure treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is there will your heart be also. As Paul said, “I press toward the mark of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus.” In treasuring heavenly treasures we also press toward the mark of Christ so that we may live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ, Michael
No comments:
Post a Comment