October 27, 2012

“Out of the Fog” 

Scripture:  

And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God, while we look forward to that wonderful event when the glory our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. (Titus 2:12-13) NLT

Observation: 

Turning away from ungodly living that indulges in an array of sinful pleasures that this fallen world approves and embraces is much easier said than done. Unfortunately, mankind’s falling nature towards sin (like gravity) is a powerful force that must be reckoned with every single moment of our lives (Ephesians 2:1-3), whether we are recipients of God’s saving grace or not. 

Application: 

I believe the most important step in combating our sinful behavior is to first recognize what sin really is—that it is a curse on our human nature that causes us to turn away from the holiness of God to live as we see fit; believing there are no eternal consequences or that God will lovingly overlook our disobedience to the holy lifestyle He commands us to live. We grow up in this fallen world that is flooded with many kinds of false or misleading doctrine—one being; that this short life’s purpose is to quickly satisfy the pleasures sought by our humanness; and that however we attain these worldly pleasures, whether right or wrong, is of no real consequence, because we can always justify our self-seeking motives hoping they will remain hidden from sight. This world rejects God, therefore, rejects absolute truth. Instead, the world teaches truth as being whatever we want it to be and it can be changed at any moment depending on the circumstance. There are many God opposing forces in the world that are working nonstop to either scare or blind us from knowing the Absolute Truth that comes from the God who created everything that exists. But the good news is: we have a Savior amidst all the deception and there is a Way we can discover the Absolute Truth and learn just how sin decays the mind and destroys the heart and soul. The Way is found in the inherent, Holy Word’s of God, which if read and digested fully, brings truth and wisdom directly from the Holy Spirit. God’s Word not only defines our sinful behavior and the eternal ramifications, but it also brings us the revelation of Jesus Christ, which saves the soul and sets the body free from its bondage to sin. For when God’s Word is planted deep into the heart, it gives you the wisdom to successfully fight against sin, the power to remain free from its bondage, and the blessed transformation from godlessness to godliness—ways that are pure and good—ways that honor God and reveal His Glory. Sounds easy enough, but in reality this life-changing, life-saving transformation is not by any means an easy transition for anyone, because the sinful human nature in general not only fears and doubts the righteous changes that God can make, but most of us will hang on to some of our sins like hanging onto a cliff for dear life. And for the Lord to remove these sinful things that have shaped our lives can sometimes be like pulling healthy teeth that are well rooted in. And adding to the challenge, most of us find it difficult to wait on anything, especially when it comes to personal change. Our Heavenly Father always knows best, because unlike us, He sees the entire picture of creation. And it is because of His abundant mercy and grace, and His great love for people that the He has revealed the Absolute Truth, for He wants everyone to break out of the fog and into the Son, and wait patiently and faithfully for His Glory to come. 

Prayer: 

How forever grateful I am, O God, that you lifted me
out of the fog and into Your Son. Thank You! Amen