Given Another Way

Given Another Way

1 John 3: ⁴ Whoever sins is guilty of breaking God's law, because sin is a breaking of the law. ⁵ You know that Christ appeared in order to take away sins,  and that there is no sin in him. ⁶ So everyone who lives in union with Christ does not continue to sin; but whoever continues to sin has never seen him or known him.

 

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Going on a trip, I set the GPS to provide directions. But when the request to hear a song from another device came up, I switched over and connected to the passenger’s phone. We drove and drove and after a while I questioned why I wasn’t hearing directions. I looked at the GPS and it kept saying “Turn around.” We had driven twenty-five miles in the wrong direction.

 

• I could not hear which direction I should go.
• I needed to be on a different path, but had no way to hear what path I should be traveling.
• There was something that could get me back on the right path when I realized I was going in the wrong direction.

 

At first glance, it sounds like John is about to get harsh. But he is speaking to believers of JESUS, trying to encourage them. He attempts to let them know that JESUS is the only forgiver of sins. John had written earlier in the letter “But if anybody does sin”, knowing humans will sin. He points out that those in union with CHRIST always have a way back to HIM.

 

My Observations:

• All human made roads lead to death, BUT GOD made a way back to HIM, through CHRIST our LORD and Savior.
• My past, present and future sins are forgiven by JESUS, but those who choose to not believe in HIM will remain in their sins.
• Declaring there are other ways to GOD’s grace, does not mean the declaration is true and without consequence.

 

“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” is a scary Proverb to me. I mean, sometimes I really, really think I am headed in the right direction by trying to fit into what the world has to offer. Things seem to “go right” for me amongst humans, meanwhile GOD is constantly trying to say to me, “you are on the wrong path.” HE has a remedy.

 

JESUS placed the HOLY SPIRIT inside me to let me know when I am headed on the wrong path. HE gently tells me to “turn around” and “follow JESUS’s ways.” HE also begs for my forgiveness because there is no sin in GOD. I am so grateful for CHRIST who loves you and  me dearly.

 

Challenge

• What logic is the writer trying to address?
• Have you ever done something that seemed right to you but was very wrong?
• Will you allow GOD to put you on HIS path so you can go in the successful direction HE has laid out for you?

Spoken Ignored

Spoken Ignored

2 Peter 3: ⁵ They purposely ignore the fact that long ago God gave a command, and the heavens and earth were created. The earth was formed out of water and by water, ⁶ and it was also by water, the water of the flood, that the old world was destroyed. ⁷ But the heavens and the earth that now exist are being preserved by the same command of God, in order to be destroyed by fire. They are being kept for the day when godless people will be judged and destroyed.

 

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“It is officially Spring” said the news. I had gotten a windbreaker for Christmas and wanted to test what it could do. “Can I please wear my windbreaker” I asked. “No, it’s too cold outside” was the reply. “But it’s Spring” was my counter. “Okay, but wear some warm clothes” was the final statement. I put my windbreaker on top of a long sleeve shirt and walked outside and froze all the way to and from school!

 

• I ignored the warning because I wanted something else to happen.
• I paid the consequence because I was not willing to listen to the warning.
• I wanted my way so badly that I was willing to suffer.

 

Peter continued to give a warning about people who scoff at GOD and HIS commands. He said in the last days, people would make fun of believers of JESUS. He now states that there would be people who will ignore the fact that GOD spoke the world into existence and that same GOD will destroy it because HE cursed it.

 

My Observations:

• GOD keeps all of HIS promises and HE promised that this world is cursed by HIS own mouth and that it will be destroyed.
• GOD also promised that only those who believe in HIS SON for salvation, will be saved from HIS wrath.
• GOD revealed that HE would create a new heaven and a new earth, one with no suffering or tears.

 

GOD has spoken and it’s up to me to listen. But sometimes this is hard for me to do. I mean, when catastrophe happens to me or my family or my neighbors, It is difficult to hear, GOD has a promise for you. That is where the COMFORTER steps in.

 

The HOLY SPIRIT reminds me of how often HE has rescued me from danger and carried me though troubled times. HE increases my awareness that GOD is in control of the situation. People who do not believe will question, scoff and even try to do things with their own power. I am glad GOD has already seen my deliverance into HIS spoken greatness.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer point out the creation and the destruction of the world?
• Have you ever been told something and ignored it because you wanted something different to happen, but it did not happen the way you wanted?
• Wil you turn to GOD and listen to HIS spoken words of love by believing in JESUS as your Savior so HE can use your life as a blessing today?

Chained to the Rock

 

Chained to the Rock

Romans 7: Do you not know, brothers and sisters—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives? ² For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him. ³ So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.

 

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Looking outside, I could see a warm inviting setting. Butterflies flapping and birds chirping made me want to be out there. But I was stuck in class. “When I grow up, I’ll be able to go outside when I want to.” I said to myself. I grew up and started working. “When I grow up, I will retire and go outside” I said to myself, looking out the window again.

 

• There have been many times I just wanted to be free.
• There have been many times I felt imprisoned.
• There have been many times I wanted to do as I pleased, but was bound by something.

 

Paul tries to explain what the Law does, to a male dominated group of religious leaders who knew it well. His example was a married woman being “bound” by the Law to not have sexual relations with any other man while the husband is still alive. But she is released from the Law of marriage if her husband dies.

 

• GOD wants me to know that when HE cursed the earth, all humans were “bound” to the Law.
• GOD wants me to understand that when the first human sinned, it caused me to be guilty of all sins written in the Law.
• GOD wants me to know that while I am alive, I have to be “bound” to something, otherwise I would be as wild as my sinful heart wants to be.

 

All humans are chained to the rock of the Law. GOD placed the Law in every human’s heart, giving me no excuse for not knowing. I am guilty as charged. How can I be freed from the guilt that wasn’t even caused by me? JESUS freed me from the death sentence the Law brings.

 

I am free to do as I please. But my heart is still sinful. GOD made it easy. Just believe in JESUS and HE will clean my heart and I can live to please HIM. I am grateful JESUS set me free.

 

• Are you looking for a better life?
• Do you think that if you got that car, house, job or mate, that your life would be “better?”
• Will you stop looking for happiness in things or people and invite JESUS into your heart so HE can clean it and focus you on the purpose HE made you for today?

Now We Know

 

Now We Know

Romans 3: ¹⁹ Now we know that everything in the Law applies to those who live under the Law, in order to stop all human excuses and bring the whole world under God's judgment. ²⁰ For no one is put right in God's sight by doing what the Law requires; what the Law does is to make us know that we have sinned.

 

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Sitting in court waiting to plea my case, I heard other traffic violator’s statements. “I did not know the speed limit because there were no signs” was the one that interested me. The judge said, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Pay the fine and court costs.” Wow! I was going to use that one. I stepped out of the courtroom and paid the normal fine.

 

• There were times when I knew I was wrong.
• There were times when I did what was wrong anyway.
• There were times when I felt something in my conscience that I was doing something wrong.

 

Paul summarizes the point about the Law of Moses. While it was given to the Jews, it applies to the whole world. The application is not to save the world, but point out that we are sinners.

 

• GOD wants me to know I need HIS salvation.
• GOD wants me to know I am a sinner and need HIS power every day.
• GOD wants me to admit I am wrong and need to be right, but cannot do it myself.

 

Ignorance of the Law is no excuse. All of us have sinned and we are not worthy to judge the one who fell, namely Satan. When he tried to be GOD, he was thrown from heaven. He tempted the first humans in an attempt to block any human from opening his sealed fate. BUT JESUS became that sinless human. I am glad JESUS did not sin and was raised from the dead, just for me.

 

• Are you tired of following so many rules?
• Do you get mad at GOD for pointing out sin?
• Will you change your thinking and be glad that JESUS overcame the Law in order to save you by just believing in HIS loving action for you?

 

 

Ignorance of The Law

Ignorance of The Law

John 15: ²² If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. ²³ He who hates Me hates My Father also. ²⁴ If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. ²⁵ But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

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Before I stood in front of the judge, I wrote out my argument. As I watched others explain themselves, I listened intently to a similar case. “There was no sign posting the speed” said the person. I waited for the judges’ response. “Ignorance of the law is no excuse” said the judge. The person was fined more for pleading not guilty. I threw away my pitiful defense.

• “I didn’t know that was wrong” used to be my defense.
• ”I didn’t know I did anything bad” used to be my excuse.
• “Everyone else is doing it” used to be my rationale for doing something wrong but justifying it being right.

JESUS explains HE is the key to fulfilling all scripture. In other words, there are some extreme declarations about humanity that could only be fulfilled by one person. JESUS said “If HE had never come, then people could not be judged for their ignorance of the Law.” So why am I accused of sin?

• JESUS placed HIS Law in my heart when HE created me.
• GOD threw Satan out of heaven, who in turn made the first person sin, causing me to have sin.
• GOD declared that if anyone sins they would be eternally separated from HIM, which affected me.

Ignorance of GOD’s Law will be no excuse. JESUS placed The Word in every heart, so every human is capable of loving GOD. Unfortunately there will be some who fight the HOLY SPIRIT enough to reject HIM. GOD wants me to reach those who are rejecting HIS inherent love.

HE wants me to first admit I need HIM because all have sinned. Next, when I believe that JESUS is my Savior I can then confess HE is my only answer. Finally, HE sends me out with this belief to seek first HIS kingdom. It is all about JESUS. We hated HIM without a cause. I am grateful for HIS forgiveness.

• Are you ignorant of your sin?
• Do you think others are sinning and you are not?
• Will you confess to GOD you need HIM to clean your sin daily, so you can reach others the way HE wants you to?