Monday, January 30, 2012

SIN AGAINST GOD


Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Hi all,
Sin! What can we say about it? Not much other than the fact that we love it! The people of the world sincerely believe that basically, we are good people who have gone wrong. What we need is sympathy and a bit of understanding. Perhaps a visit to a Psychiatrist or a Psychologist will straighten us up and then we will be fine. But it isn’t true. Each and every one of us is a “monster of iniquity” who loves their sin. We aren‘t looking for salvation because we think it’s unnecessary. We will continue with this opinion until we learn that sin is no laughing matter. It is a deadly cancer that destroys us all. It may take a few years. On average it takes about 70 years.
During every revival, people have been made aware of the enormity of their sin and the terrible consequences thereof. For this to happen on a local, national or international scale requires the intervention of the Holy Spirit. Without His intervention our efforts are perfunctory at best. He is the only one who can bring an awareness of sin to the listeners. Because of this, the likes of Wesley, Whitefield, and Finney to mention only three, commenced every meeting by preaching on the topic of sin. They knew that in every revival, the listeners had to be aware of the enormity of their rebellion against God. As a result they commenced every series of meetings by preaching about sin and its consequences. They would continue with this topic until the people came under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. The people would begin crying out to the Lord for forgiveness. Many of them would pass out and fall down under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. Only then would there be an invitation to receive salvation.
This was no “half baked” repentance. Under the ministry of John Wesley Redfield, the jails became empty. The police were told that if they came across anyone lying on the road they were to go and smell the persons’ breath. If there was no trace of alcohol, they were to leave the person exactly where they were. That person had Redfield’s disease. This meant that when they awoke, if they had been drunkards, they would drink no more. If they were thieves, they would steal no more. Redfield’s disease transformed the individual into a God fearing believer. Similar tales can be quoted about examples from the lives of other men of God. If they as much as walked into the gates of a factory, workers would pass out and others would cry out to the Lord for salvation.
We no longer see these signs of revival. Why not? I think it is because we no longer preach about the consequences of sin. Instead we fill our pulpits with popular men who preach ear tickling pabulum that does not touch the heart. We would rather hear motivational messages, prosperity and irrelevant drivel. Sure it brings in money. But does it touch the hearts and lives of sinners? What do you think?
Today’s meditation looks at sin. This is the gospel. This is what changes the hearts and lives of men and women. God help us to bring this back into our churches. If we don’t, we are responsible for the inevitable consequences.
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland.

Sin Against God

There is an understanding that people seldom know.
It’s all about what happens when into sin we go.
We sin against a person. Perhaps we steal his tie.
We think that it looks pretty, although it makes him cry.
We’ve taken from him something and said it is our own.
Of course that is deception and sin in us has grown.
Perhaps it’s not important; not from our point of view.
But we have just committed an act we should not do.
Perhaps the value’s minimal. A Rand or two at most.
And so we soothe our conscience, until the Holy Ghost,
Reminds us we have stolen and that we are a thief.
And that until we’ve put it right, there will be no relief,
From what is deep inside us. Our conscience has been pricked.
And even if we give it back, the problem isn’t licked.
In fact it never can be! We’ve sinned against the Lord.
The value’s not important. We have released His sword,
This brings His retribution. We’ve disobeyed His Word;
And everything we say or do, by God is seen and heard.
So every sin committed is not just against man.
It is a violation of Father’s Holy plan!
But can we be forgiven? The answer’s yes and no.
Forgiven for the action, but the consequences grow!
I think it’s very fortunate the cost of sin is death.
No matter what a man has done, after that final breath
There’s nothing more for us pay. We cannot die again.
A Christian knows for certain and the Bible makes this plain.
We do not keep on dying for sin repeatedly.
Perhaps that is what we deserve. But no more will that be.
So Jesus can forgive me. The record is wiped clean,
But only ‘cause He’s paid the price for all that I have been!
The sin perhaps is miniscule and only once is done.
That’s quite enough for Satan to start his evil fun.
So every sin committed is marked up on our slate.
And we will surely die for it, upon some future date.
But Jesus Christ our Master came and took my place.
So there is not another death which I will have to face.
There’s one consideration. Repentance from our sin,
Determined that it’s over, we will not take part in,
Another repetition of what we have just done.
It’s over and it’s done with. From now on, we will shun,
Anything and everything the deed in fact implies.
Then we’ll be forgiven. But don’t use a disguise,
And show a false repentance. Then things will not have changed.
This will make it very clear we’re mentally deranged.
Perhaps you’ll find it easy to make a fool of me.
But Jesus knows about it. You can’t fool Deity!
Jim Strickland – Written Tuesday 31st January 2012