Out of Sight Out of Mind

 

Out of Sight Out of Mind

Romans 6: ²⁰ When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. ²¹ And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. ²² But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

============

 

Dirty underwear, toys and stuff I found outside were shoved under my bed. The directive was to “clean my room.” I cleaned the room in record time. I knocked everything onto the floor, pushed it under the bed and sat down with a grin. As long as no one looked under the bed, I would never be suspected of being a slob.

 

• Many times I have hidden things I was ashamed of.
• Many times I shoved what I was ashamed of, into hidden places.
• Many times I hid the garbage to have the appearance of looking clean.

 

Paul explains that we are no longer slaves to sin. He tries to reason with everyone about the temporary nature of sin. It brings on pleasure for a moment, but causes people to do things that remain hidden. If the thing was so “good” then why not say it to everyone? Paul then provides the right way, namely to do those things that lead to holiness.

 

• GOD wants me to step out of the dark, hidden places and show HIS light.
• GOD wants me to do things that I am not ashamed of.
• GOD wants me to be bold enough to accept HIS free gift of love which is eternal life through CHRIST JESUS our LORD.

 

Shame causes me to seek more shame. I may even find a group of people who accept the shameful things I do so I can feel “good” about myself. BUT GOD wants something different.

 

Instead of seeking destruction, covering it up and pretending everything is fine, GOD wants me to seek HIS path which leads to HIS holiness and HIS eternal life. Giving up sin is sometimes hard, especially when I practice hiding it. BUT GOD helps me by providing courage to express my sin, little by little. I am grateful for JESUS who freed me from my path to death.

 

• What are you shoving under your bed?
• Do you pretend to be “good” or do you seek a crowd that will accept what you do?
• Will you seek what GOD wants for you so HE can guide you to an abundant everlasting life?

Declared Holy

Declared Holy

John 18: ²⁸ Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. ²⁹ Pilate then went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?”

³⁰ They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.”

³¹ Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your law.”

Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,” ³² that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die.

============

After watching the movie filled with sex, violence and racy humor, we all laughed and went home. The next day I attended church and they showed clips from various movies to illustrate a point. I would be so embarrassed if everyone at church saw what I just watched the night before.

• There were places “I” declared holier than other places.
• There were things “I” did that I declared holier than other things.
• There were words “I” said that I declared holier than other words.

The church leaders were bent on murdering JESUS to gain back their popularity. They led HIM to a place they declared unholy, therefore they would not enter. When asked what accusation they had against JESUS, they could not answer forthright.

• JESUS wants me to know that my declarations of righteousness are like filthy, blood soaked, dung filled rags.
• JESUS wants me to know that any graceless words I use on others will be used on me.
• JESUS wants me to know that trying to live a double life between sin and holiness is impossible.

All have sinned and fall short of GOD’s glory. So where is the hope? JESUS is the hope. HE was the only one who did not sin. Though HE was tempted in every way a human could, HE resisted and died for the sins of everyone. HE is the only Holy ONE, and I put my trust in HIM to wash away my many sins. I need JESUS to declare me holy because HE IS HOLY.

• Do you compare yourself to others?
• Do you say “Well, at least I’m not like ‘that’ person?”
• Will you look at your mounting sins and ask GOD to cleanse you of ALL unrighteousness by believing in JESUS today?