[138]. A Message From A Poem – If You Live In Sin You Will Never Win

[138]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – IF YOU LIVE IN SIN YOU WILL NEVER WIN

There is nothing truer than the title of this poem. Those who live in sin and claim it as their own will never win in the end.

Asaph who wrote Psalm 73 had a problem when he observed people. The godless were always prospering while those honest and faithful to God suffered.

He wrote of his observations – {{Psalm 73:2-5 “but as for me, my feet came close to stumbling. My steps had almost slipped for I was envious of the arrogant as I saw THE PROSPERITY OF THE WICKED for there are no pains in their death and their body is fat. THEY ARE NOT IN TROUBLE as other men, nor are they plagued like mankind.”}}

They do not respect God (or His people) – {{Psalm 73:9 “They have SET THEIR MOUTH AGAINST THE HEAVENS and their tongue parades through the earth.”}}

This had a severe effect on Asaph and he cried out – {{Psalm 73:13-14 “Surely IN VAIN I HAVE KEPT MY HEART PURE and washed my hands in innocence, for I have been stricken all day long and chastened every morning.”}}

HOWEVER, there is a word “perspective” and once Asaph gained the true perspective, then he saw the plight of sinners. {{Psalm 73:16-17 “When I pondered to understand this, It was troublesome in my sight UNTIL I CAME INTO THE SANCTUARY OF GOD. Then I perceived their end.”}}

He only gained that perspective through closeness with God, in His sanctuary. We gain it through the bible and communion with the Lord.

The conclusion of all this is stated in the last two verses – {{Psalm 73:27 “Behold, THOSE WHO ARE FAR FROM YOU WILL PERISH. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You,”

Psalm 73:28 “but as for me, THE NEARNESS OF GOD IS MY GOOD. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge that I may tell of all Your works.”}}

This poem is a message to sinners. Sinners will never win in the end. You may scheme and live corruptly, but one day you, and all people away from God, will hit the great wall of accountability. It is appointed for you to die one but after that you face judgement. It is called accountability. These are the features this poem take up.

There is an internal rhyme in 13 lines of this poem, as well as the end rhymes.

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IF YOU LIVE IN SIN YOU WILL NEVER WIN

If you live in sin, you will never win.

The glitter face and promises are fake.

The deceptive smile lasts for just a while.

Then it turns on you and bites like a snake.

Sin’s strong, holding chains will grasp without gains.

And eternally cause your soul to ache.

A life without God will end in earth’s sod.

But in hell forever, will be awake.

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There is a better way, which is to obey,

For obedience allows you to hear.

The Lord commands trust; to know Him you must,

So then approach Him in reverence and fear.

The Saviour God gave, so all He might save.

Repent of your sins; to Jesus draw near.

Your life He will change, your affairs arrange,

And place you in the blessed sphere.

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To our home one day, He’ll carry away

His dear saints, and their bodies He’ll renew.

With Him forever – nothing will sever

For every enemy God will subdue -

Gone will be weeping in the Lord’s keeping.

The evil expunged, and all that’s untrue.

Come, join the saved ones, those who are God’s sons,

And let the numbers in heaven accrue.

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Ronald E Ferguson 18-20 May 2024 ABCBDBEB (5 5) 10

Internal rhymes as well.