Their deeds do not permit them to return to the Lord...
| Posted On: 05/05/08 11:25:01 PM |
Age 55, FL |
It is clear from Scripture that God can almost ridiculously forgive, which is a joy to my heart. There are other verses that give limits to that understanding. Hosea comes to mind. "Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God. A spirit of prostitution is in their heart; .. " Hosea 5:3-5... "When they go with their flocks and herds to seek the LORD, they will not find him; he has withdrawn himself from them. Dt 32:20 In the Song of Moses, God speaks of hiding his face from the Israelites.
These Israelites were astray, but not admitted atheists. They apparently thought they were followers of God in their own fashion-yet they were blocked. Hosea speaks of them being unable to return to God because of their deeds. It had something to do with a spirit of prostitution-of worshipping other gods. Interesting connection. Sexual sin is a most strong temptation. Almost like crack cocaine, people will throw away their entire lives for it. A spouse throws away a family-spouse and children etal for a few fleeting moments of this pleasure. No wonder God compares worshipping false gods to sexual sin. A certain "spirit" overcomes one. God hides his face from them. They are unable to return. In the midst of sexual sin the passions run too hot for many to see the havoc they are making of their lives, their futures, and the futures of others. The people could not return to the Lord, and if they did, he will not hear them. Scary limits.
On the otherhand, King Manassah was so evil God decided in vengence to wipe Jerusalem like a man wipes food off a dish. Manassah was even involved in sacrificing children to false gods. Yet Manassah genuinely repented of his evil, and God gave him forgiveness. What a tremendous forgiveness. God did not stop the punishment of Israel. The people liked life that way. But the harshest punishment came on another generation. And what of the criminal on the cross alongside Jesus. Both of them were mocking Christ. One stopped, and asked Jesus to remember him when he got to his kingdom. Christ forgave him and promised him Paradise today- in so short a time. Clearly God's forgiveness is as infinite as He is, but it would be an error to start getting reckless and making assumptions on such a grave issue. If you are not living a Christ-like life, be very afraid. The solution is not to say "God forgives", then go on your merry way, continuing in your sin. But you can come to him for forgiveness and get it quickly. Don't play games with his forgiveness, and trust you have it because a pastor tells you that you do. He will not take your place in hell in spite of what he said to you. Christ paid the most expensive price ever paid for anything in the known universe. He did it to give you the opportunity to be rescued and salvaged. In his time, he will make of you something more than you are. Don't we all want to be more than we are? Don't you desire not to be bound to the animalistic side of life? Don't we dream of being great?! Christ not only rescued those who will be saved from everlasting damnation in the junk heap of the universe, but he will make of you something great! Higher than an angel.
You can't afford to err on this subject. The gospel is not a game. It is the cutting edge of eternal life and eternal punishment. A cheap gospel, others telling you you are already saved, or even looking at your good works are not enough to be certain. For if you err on salvation, you will lose everything.
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JESUS CAME TO SAVE ONLY SINNERS
| Posted On: 05/05/08 01:02:23 PM |
Age 64, OH |
Jim, how true! None of us can stop sinning even for a second let alone the rest of our life. Every act that we do and every thought that we have falls short of the glory of God. (that is what sin is) The most righteous thought or deed any of us ever had is but FILTHY RAGS. How fortunate for us that He is a God of Mercy and grace. Lou
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