“SHORT CUTTING YOURSELF”
We all have from time to time taken many short cuts, and ignore what God has said to do, especially when it comes down to sin.
God speaks very clearly and gives directions for all…
If your trying to say that you have not sinned, I am here to tell you we have ALL sinned.
1 John 1:10 says; “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him (God) a liar
God says, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Rom.3:23
Let me share with you a lesson I learned as a child…………..
As a kid I grew up right across the street from a playground called "Johnston’s Field"…Barry Playground to the locals of the area. In the summer time there were always activities going on for the local kids to do. They had what was called a "field house" and it was inside that building kids could go in to do crafts and play games. This one particular day when I was about 7 years old, the craft for that day was using modeling clay. We were told that before we could shape our clay into any object, we would have to knead it first to get rid of all the air bubbles. And the only way for checking to know if the clay had air bubbles was to roll the clay into a ball and slice it in half with a plastic knife. If you saw any little holes on either half it meant that the clay had bubbles in it. Okay I thought …no problem- I must have squished; rolled and flattened that clay out for well over ten minutes. And each time I rolled it into a ball and cut it in half I saw holes. Well after another 5 minutes of trying to get air out, I figured who would know if there were a few holes still in my clay. So at that point I decided I was going to make a bowl, thinking I could use it for my cereal when I ate in the morning. But I soon learned I didn’t have enough clay to do that and I changed my plans and decided it would be an ashtray for my mom. So after I had finished molding and shaping my creation, I had let the person who was in charge know that I was all finished doing what I had to do. The lady said; "okay, leave it there on the shelf, so it can dry first and then it will be put into the kiln. And then in two days you can come back and paint it to take it home with you." Well that sort of put me in a 7yr old tantrum mode real quick. I thought I could take this home with me that day. I didn’t know that it would be a few more days before I could surprise my mom with it. Needless to say the grown up won and I would have to wait the allotted time. When that day arrived I could hardly wait until it was time for the arts and crafts activity to begin. As soon as the field house doors opened I rushed in and ran to the shelf where I saw my creation. I reached for it and when I brought it down and looked inside it I saw my sneakers looking back up at me. I couldn’t believe that there was a huge hole in the bottom of my moms present. I went to the lady in tears and said, "Why is there a hole??? I didn’t make it that way!" She said; "Hon, it could have only gotten a hole that size if you left air bubbles in the clay."
Luke 8:17
NLT version
For everything that is hidden or secret will eventually be brought to light and made plain to all
That verse is so true …
When I had held that ashtray up and it was evident to all who were around me that I tried to skip some steps
I was in such a rush to bring home that present that I thought I could get away with out doing what I was told to do.
I learned from that experience. And what it taught me was that I needed to follow direction and not take short cuts.
And as I got older and learned about what salvation really is. And what a relationship with Jesus should be like; I found that I could not take short cuts ….
Some folks think that if they just treat others nicely; do good deeds; attend church; etc… it will get them into Gods kingdom
Jesus says in John 14:6
I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through Me.
So according to Gods Word there is no other way in….absolutely, zip-zero shortcuts
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness
Sin is just like those “air bubbles’…it leaves a huge hole and in order to fill that hole you need to have Christ as your Savior. If you say that you never asked Jesus in to fill that “hole” then I invite you to pray along with me
Prayer
“Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and unable to save myself. But I do believe You love me and that You sent Your Son, Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. Right here and now, I ask You to forgive my every sin and give me the gift of eternal life. Forgive me Lord for all the short cuts I have made in my life. I dedicate myself to you this day. Thank You dear God for answering my prayer, and for giving me eternal life as You promised You would. Amen
