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
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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
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