“Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”
Romans 5:18-19
Jesus Christ came into the world in order to lift the burden of humanity never being able to measure up to God’s righteousness and that we can enter into His rest. It will then be the Holy Spirit working in us to will and to act to do what pleases the Father (Philippians 2:13). What is solely required of the individual is to choose to yield. Our own efforts which are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) then gets replaced by the righteousness of Jesus the moment we accept Him as Savior. By doing so, we are guaranteed God’s seal of approval, which is accompanied by sonship (Romans 8:15) and with this sonship also comes being under His authority and discipline as stated in Hebrews 12:7-8,
“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.”
Left to ourselves, we can only try and try until we die and sadly, some go to indoctrination camps to die and claim as many lives as they can in order to please whom they think is God. I had to include this here as a reaction to seeing Hotel Mumbai. I rarely promote movies but if you have not seen it, it is a sad depiction of a horrific act considered as one specific religion’s service to God. It reminds me of what Jesus said in John 16:3 that people who kill as a service to God do it because they DO NOT know the Father.
It is the thought of being subject to God’s authority that poses as a problem to those who choose to reject God’s grace. People have learned by osmosis that being under God is restrictive and not only that, some people who end up believing God to be harsh either grew up without a father or grew up in a household with an abusive father which in turn becomes the reason of their hostility towards God. They are fueled by this bitter misconception their whole lives not knowing the whole truth about who God really is and content with the erroneous notions by which they have adopted.
While people believe living a hedonistic life devoid of real meaning and purpose is freeing and fun, they ignore the inconsistencies of such a life by choosing to continue to live even though they think they have nothing to live for. The same people asserting having no purpose in purposeful living have no problem making it their purpose to silence those who hold to a dissenting belief. Not only is this the epitome of contradiction, it is the utmost expression of a truly confused soul grasping for meaning in a meaningless life they have chosen.
If you happen to be such a soul, it is by divine appointment you have bumped into this one. I was there once. I did whatever without thinking about the consequences. I can’t say I had extreme fun because the miseries that life gave me led me to seek for deliverance from that lifestyle. One thing I can say is that living that way was a quick and painful trip to the bottom, but… I needed to get there. It was where Jesus was waiting for me with open arms.
You may feel like rejecting God now, but don’t be too haughty to rule Him out. He can humble even the most calloused heart with His love. That is who the One True God is. He is so patient with everyone. He was patient with me before I knew Him and continues to be as I learn to be patient to someone I encounter that mirrors my old self. He knows while in this body, we can never be perfect. The closest we can ever get to perfection is by persevering (to keep on keeping on). There was hope for me, and I’m telling you, whoever you are, that there is hope for you too… whatever it is you are going through.
Trained by Saving Grace
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. 15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
Titus 2:11-15
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