A brother beloved who is the pastor of a local Christian church has often said from the pulpit that "Confession is great for the soul, but bad for the reputation!" This is often followed by his admittance of a common human failing on which he is working on improving or one that he had in his years of youthful indiscretions. One must admit that it is refreshing seeing someone who the community holds in such high esteem and has focused his life on serving the Lord acknowledging that he has made some of the same type of mistakes so many others have.
The Book of Job which outlines the life of a truly righteous man states the even old faithful Job was guilty of "foolishness in his youth".
Although I lack the faithfulness, righteousness, or long-suffering of Job and do not come near the Christian walk of my friend who is a pastor, I must admit that I have one thing in common. I have been very foolish at times in my life.
Like many in the developed world, I rarely if ever have a problems with the laws of the civil jurisdiction which I live under. Only God's Word sheds light on my blemishes. My sins most likely will not get me placed in a city, county, state, or federal prison. But, in contrast, based upon His Word, an unpleasant place awaits me in the after-life if I do not straighten up and fly right.
For many, we do not struggle with sins such as theft, assault, murder, rape, and other violation of civil codes. But, we do struggle with addiction which center around that which society says we can freely consume as adults.
But, Christ said that we should "be perfect as our Father in heaven is Perfect." If he said it is possible, it must be so.
In four decades plus of living, I can remember only one near perfect day when my life had been free of addictive behaviors for a few years. I awoke on a Saturday, did my household chores, and paid bills by noon. At high noon, I began reading my NIV Bible, the scriptures which I was given as a child for governing my life and behavior. It only seemed that a couple of hours had passed, but when I looked out of my window the sun was setting. I glanced at the clock at it was past eight in the evening on a summer's day.
That night I had the most wonderful dream one could imagine on this side of eternity. I saw myself drifting on a cloud with doves flying overhead and the gospel song God of Wonders being sung by FFH. It seemed that the night lasted for months or possibly years.
This day was quite a blessed respite from the struggles of my life circumstances at the time.
A beauty and reward exists in Godly living. Do not let someone convince you that His Blessing are material prosperity. Do not be beguiled. Material prosperity without spiritual prosperity is a curse. And, spiritual prosperity alone is worth more than a fortune in precious stones, gems, and metals.
May we all find freedom from the sin which besets us and those who try marginalizing our relationship with He who created the heavens and the earth.
Stay Richly and Eternally Blessed.
No comments:
Post a Comment