November 2, 2014
Text Luke 15:7
As Christians we certainly live in a bizarre world. Frequently our Biblical views are at complete odds with the values of this world. This week a prominent person of the business world proudly announced that he is a practicing homosexual. This seems to be happening with greater frequency and boldness. This announcement came with the comments that it will resonate – that is this will have a lasting affect on others. The world is happy that these people have gone public with their sinful lifestyles. We approach the cross in repentance and ask for forgiveness. We certainly do not claim to be without sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. We look to God's word, the Bible, to know His law and to embrace His life saving gospel. We do not pick and choose what is truth for us and make our own determination of what is sinful behavior.
God's word tells us that there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. (Luke 15:7) There seems to be, in many circles of society, joy on earth when sinners refuse to repent. There seems to be joy on earth when sinners defiantly and publicly sin. There seems to be encouragement to live sinful lifestyles. Sin is celebrated and embraced. Satan has an agenda. Satan, through his agents and disciples, is working overtime to make the world see the bizarre as normal – to make sin attractive and to ultimately separate us from Christ. We can never obey God's laws anywhere near to perfection. We need by the power of the Holy Spirit to try to follow the law and repent and confess when we fail. Declaring that the law is not valid for us is not an option. When we fail we repent and confess our sins. God forgives us and does not even remember our sins. We place the blame on ourselves where it clearly belongs. Our lives as followers of Christ involve daily repentance, daily confession and daily embracing the cross of Christ. We can not change God's laws. The supreme court can not change God's laws. There is no such thing as Homosexual marriage. (Gen 2:24) The voters can not change God's laws. The congress of the United States can not change God's Laws. The law of God is clear. Read it for yourselves: “do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 cor 6:9-10)
The world bombards us daily with a perspective that is contrary to this Biblical truth. The entertainment industry glorifies sinful behavior and thinking. Television entertainment often obscures sin with comedy to make it less obvious. We end up applauding the nerd who manages to have sex with the attractive blond. We may even vicariously enjoy his conquest. We see the comical homosexual men as harmless thanks to the skillful writers of the script We get drawn into a sinful worldly view point slowly episode by episode. This is how evil becomes normalized and without constant exposure to God”s word we acquiesce to this view point and eventually embrace worldly views and attitudes.
Sin may resonate here on Earth but in heaven it is revolting to a Holy God. It is so revolting that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He lived a life totally without sin. He became an atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world and after His crucifixion and death rose from the grave, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. This is so that all who receive Him , who believe in His name have the right to become children of God. God loved the world so much that he gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. This is a free gift for all who believe. This is an eternal offer that no one should refuse. This offer is extended to all mankind. Christ has offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins.
There truly is joy in heaven when one sinner repents. It is especially evident today --- All Saints Day (observed) that we remember those who have repented and are in the presence of the Lord. This offer is made to all regardless of past actions or beliefs and/or press releases. .
We can leave here now with the hope and intention of never sinning again. I doubt that I will make it to the door without sinning in thought, word, of deed. When we fail, we confess and repent. He will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness for He is faithful and just. Should we refuse to repent and deliberately go on sinning we are positioning ourselves for a fearful expectation of judgment. (Heb 10:26) Let us pray daily that all will come to faith in Christ through the action of the Holy Spirit and repent.
In The Name of Jesus
