Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. (Col 3:1-3 ~NLT)
Scriptural terminology for salvation is “being born again” (John 3:3-7, 1 Peter 1:23). New birth ushers us to a lifestyle of faith and surrender. We begin by trusting God’s Word in everything it says about now and eternity. We accept that Jesus Christ, by His death and resurrection, paid the penalty for our sins. His free gift of salvation is the only means by which we receive forgiveness and are reconciled to God.
We all have sinned. We stand guilty before God’s holy Law. You see, when we sin, we take sides with satan to defy God’s holy statutes. The penalty for sin is death. However, our proclivity toward sin is not always the result of personal choice. Sinning doesn’t make us sinners; we are sinners by birth. By disobeying God, Adam, our first human father, infused sin into human nature. Then came the Son of God, Jesus, who took a punishment so great to redeem fallen mankind. Christ’s sinless sacrifice settled the penalty for our sins. All we need to do is accept it.
That is pretty simple, isn’t it? Imagine that an entire community is complicit to a heinous crime by some of its members. Consequently, the whole community is sentenced to death. Now visualize an innocent volunteer offering his life as ransom for the condemned people. If you belonged in that community, wouldn’t you sign up for amnesty?
Attitude Change
Most people who’ve had a brush with death emerge with renewed perspectives. They have better appreciation for the gift of life. The same is true about new birth. This article is not intended as an exposition on the subject of salvation, but a plea. As recipients of God’s grace, we are called to mind renewal. Jesus intercepted the path we were on—a path destined for eternal hellfire. The magnitude of His sacrifice underscores the gravity of sin, and the severity of our deserved fate.
Now if crucifixion of the Son of God was the cost of our redemption, what should be our attitude toward sin? 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:21-24 ~NLT). In other words, consider the price of your redemption and turn from sin with resolute finality. Don’t do it merely for fear of a tragic end; pursue holiness because you love the Savior.
Therefore put to death the parts of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the sons of disobedience. 7 You also once walked in these, when you lived in them. 8 But now you must also put away all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie one to another, since you have put off the old nature with its deeds, 10 and have embraced the new nature, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him who created it… (Col 3:5-10 ~MEV) [Emphasis added]
Review verse six above: Because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the sons of disobedience. Isn’t that scary! Which things elicit God’s wrath? To whom is the wrath of God? Take a good self-evaluation and see if your spiritual house could use some vacuuming.
As Christians, it is vital that we grasp the gravity of these truths. We can’t afford to disregard warnings. Holy living ensures our continued nourishment from Christ’s spiritual reservoir. Sadly, some professing believers make no effort to learn God’s ways or turn from their old habits. They desire the benefits of associating with Christ but are unwilling to shun abhorrent lifestyles from which they were redeemed. They adopt casual and irreverent attitudes toward Christian life.
These are hard things to say, but they are true. Our goal is not to induce guilt traps, but to invite sincere evaluation of our walk with God. Unless we are honest with ourselves, we cannot truly enjoy Christian life. Without yielding to the leading of God’s Spirit and growing in knowledge of Christ our Lord, Christian life becomes religious drudgery.
When Cursed Wares Entice
After Moses died, Joshua led Israel across Jordan River. For the second time, God made a way for the migrants to cross over flooded waters on foot. Entrance into the Promised Land was as miraculous as their departure from Egypt. The first mission across Jordan was to conquer Jericho, a heavily fortified city. Bear in mind that God brought Israel here to bless them. They’d occupy homes and cities they didn’t build. They’d drink from wells they didn’t dig, own farms and livestock they didn’t raise, and inherit goodly lands by divine providence (Deut. 6:10-12). God’s promises should have been their most familiar chorus line. With such guarantees, why wouldn’t anyone faithfully follow the Lord’s leading?
Jericho’s walls fell to the ground as Israel shouted God’s command. Archaeological historians tell us that three horse riders could easily have been able to gallop side-by-side along the width of Jericho’s walls with extra room on either side. The defense was indomitable. It must have been astounding to see those walls collapse at the mere shout of desert wanderers. But Israel had seen so many miracles, some of her people were no longer awed by God’s marvelous works. They took God’s favor for granted.
Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city.17 And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein…18 And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. (Josh 6:16-18 ~KJV)
Chapter seven of the book of Joshua opens on a very sad note. No sooner than Israel began taking her inheritance than tragedy befell one reckless Jewish family. After Jericho, the next battle was against a relatively small city, Ai. A small band of soldiers went to overthrow it. They were badly beaten and everyone was distraught. Israel losing a battle would bolster the confidence of her adversaries. Joshua wept and fasted all day. The answer to his prayer was severe and frightening. God would not fight for Israel any more until and unless they destroyed the accused thing from their midst. Someone had put his hands on illicit fortune!
20 Achan answered Joshua and said, “Indeed, I sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. This is what I did: 21 When I saw among the plundered goods a beautiful robe from Babylon, two hundred shekels of silver, and a gold bar weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them, so I took them. They are hidden in the ground in my tent. The silver is underneath them.” (Josh 7::20, 21 ~MEV)
What’s Under Your Tent?
To restore God’s favor, Israel stoned Achan, burned him with fire and buried him under a big heap of stones with all his family and their belongings. It was a huge price to pay for a soldier’s smart little trick. For all the riches God was giving Israel, Achan eyed cursed items! For all the marvelous works of God, Achan was not afraid to disobey an express command from the Lord of hosts. One seemingly little offence can lead to great loses. The New Testament has a parallel story in Acts chapter five. When you study the sin of Ananias and his wife Sapphira, you probably won’t find it worthy of death. Yet, within hours of each other, man and wife fell down dead before the apostle Peter as they brought a monetary gift to the church.
People do stuff like that all the time. Church folks tell lies and get away with it. Folks tweak tax documents for personal gain. Professing believers sleep around to solicit favors. Folks borrow money with no intention of repaying it. Church leaders exploit trust of their parishioners to advance dishonest agendas. People doctor academic resumes to qualify for jobs. Christians misapply Biblical passages to push political ideologies. It’s a mutual game, a win-win quid pro quo that doesn’t hurt anybody. Or does it!
God’s Word is the rulebook for His children. Obedience is to be preferred above promises of sinful gain. When you live right, satan will certainly tempt you to think you are missing out. Psalm 73 paints a vivid picture on that. As Christians, we trust God for guidance and provision like ancient Israel did. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of those who prosper in their way, because of those who make wicked schemes. (Psalm 37:7 MEV)
We must never let the allure of sin sweep us into murky waters of cursed fortunes. Sin defiles the conscience and impairs fellowship with God. Defiled conscience destroys confidence and instills a persistent sense of guilt. It is a tough place to be. When you feel tempted, read how Moses chose to suffer with God’s people than to enjoy momentary pleasures of sin. Read how Joseph’s choices sustained him through years of tough testing, and how God came through for him in the end. Read how Samson lost his great strength and anointing by desecrating his Nazarite vows. Follow the way that leads to God’s favor and blessing. Choose a path that brings glory to your God, not the one that puts unjust gains into your pocket.
12 If your faith remains strong, even while surrounded by life’s difficulties, you will continue to experience the untold blessings of God! True happiness comes as you pass the test with faith, and receive the victorious crown of life promised to every lover of God! (James 1:12 ~Passion)
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