Stingy Grace

Posted in Forgiveness, Obeying God, poem by Susan Wachtel

How do you respond to someone,
Who is unforgiving…stingy with their grace?

What do you say to someone,
Who refuses to acknowledge their own sin?

At what point to you give up,
Walk away, and never look back?

They can not give,
What they have never received, can they?

What does my Savior require,
When forgiveness is rejected, set aside, torn asunder?

Forgive again…
Will you dare to be generous with your grace?

February 28, 2008
Susan Bunts

What do you do when you reach out with olive branch…only to have that branch broken and returned you?

I could tell that God has been working on me. His transforming power was evident in my response. After the tears had stopped…and I realized my heart would live to see another day…and dare to even love again…I knew what I had to do. As clear as God’s leading was to reach out initially…His leading now was to forgive the offense immediately.

“But God…he was stingy with his grace…he was hard hearted…unkind and uncaring. You want me to forgive that?”

Well…I should have known better than to ask God that question. The answer was a resounding, “Yes! Susan…he can not give…that which he has not received. You know My grace…you know My forgiveness. I forgave you Susan…when you were still dead in your sin. But it wasn’t until you received My forgiveness…offered to you though My grace…that you were able to forgive. Susan, I bind up brokenhearted and heal bruised and battered lives…I will care for you. But you must obey Me. Forgive! Today…right now…without delay. Be generous with your grace Susan…be generous as I am with you.”

“Okay God…I forgive!”

“Atta-girl Susan…you keep obeying and following Me. Now you might want to even be praying for him. What do you think?”

“Yes Lord.”

16Mar2008

Trust God???

Posted in Prayer, Trusting God by Susan Wachtel

“You do trust God, don’t you?” As I read those words in an email from Michael…it caused me to pause and reflect. Do I trust God in this relationship?

I can’t tell you how many people I’ve asked to pray that God would bring me a husband. For so long…I was uncertain…and doubted God. Not His ability to answer my prayers…but His willingness.

But recently…my faith and trust in God had grown. Nothing in my life had outwardly changed…but I had a hope that was missing before. I know that my God is more than able…to abundantly answer my prayer…according to His perfect timing and plan.

I was surprised that I could answer Michael…that yes I do trust God. In the coming week…I would find out just how true that statement was.

God had seemingly opened up a door…an opportunity when I least expected it. Not certain…exactly how it might turn out…I stepped out in faith. Kind of scared…kind of excited to see what God would do.

It was last night…or was it early this morning…that when I was faced with the knowledge that this may not be the one whom I will marry…I was filled with peace. I could have so easily been disappointed and asked God, “Why?”…but I didn’t.

Instead…I knew I had to trust God. There are no accidents in life…this relationship didn’t just happen. God had a plan and purpose for bringing this godly Christian man into my life. While I might not walk away with a ring on my finger…God has brought me a wonderful friend. One whom I will grow to love and who will be most precious to me.

Yes I did shed a few tears…but I had no regrets. I wasn’t filled questions that I wanted God answer right now. Instead I was filled with peace. Asking for wisdom…and that He would direct my steps

Unlike the past…this time I wasn’t so desperate to be loved…that I would do anything. But instead I’m trusting God in this new territory. I’m thanking Him for the example of a godly Christian man…who demonstrated goodness, kindness, caring and honesty. One who loves the Lord…and desires to obey and follow Him.

Through all this Satan wanted me to be angry at God…to distrust Him and His love for me. To doubt His goodness and care for me. To question God’s ability to answer my prayers. But praise God…Satan failed.

God allowed this testing for a different reason…the likes of which I don’t fully understand. Thank You Lord…I can truly say…I trust You!

16Mar2008

Puritan Prayer…The Valley of Vision

Posted in Prayer, Puritan Prayer by Susan Wachtel

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory. Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision. Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine; let me find Thy light in my darkness, Thy life in my death, Thy joy in my sorrow, Thy grace in my sin, Thy riches in my poverty, Thy glory in my valley.

This magnificent prayer is from the Puritan’s. Please check out Eternal Life Ministries where you can read more of these magnificent prayers.

16Mar2008

Level Ground

Posted in Foot of the Cross, Forgiveness, Jesus Christ, Level Ground, Sin by Susan Wachtel

If the cross were ever before me,
How would it affect my choices,
Would I willfully, so easily step into sin,
Or see sin’s true cost and flee?

If only I could see His nail pierced hands,
Know the agony and pain He endured,
That He willingly, with full knowledge,
Took upon Himself so that I might be freed.

If only I could know of God’s righteous anger,
His wrath poured out upon my sin,
If only I could comprehend His great love,
That by grace He provided a way that I might be saved.

If only I could see,
That it was His precious blood,
Flowing abundant and free,
That has cleansed me and made me whole.

Oh….that I would be mindful,
That at the foot of the cross all ground is level,
There I stand no better than the other sinner,
Who was saved…just like me.

The same blood,
Shed by the same Savior,
Covers our sins,
Saving us from the same eternity spent in hell.

By Susan Bunts
March 15, 2008

This is dedicated to a certain someone. May you never believe the lies of enemy…but instead be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might. Praise God…we have been freed from the power of sin. May we loudly proclaim…we are free at last!

As a Christian…it is important that I be mindful that my salvation was based on Jesus Christ and His righteousness. That He willing took my sins…upon Himself and paid the penalty of God’s wrath for my sin…so that I might be saved. He died so that I might be clothed in His righteousness and have eternal life.

While no one likes to admit they are a sinner it seems that there are certain sins that are more acceptable than other…sins that are ubiquitous. Then there are other sins that are anathema.

But it’s important that I remember that my sins would have put in me in hell…that at the foot of the cross…the ground is level. That Jesus blood was shed for me…and necessary to cleanse me and make whole again. It took the same blood to save me as the greatest sinner.

I have no place bragging expect in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

12Mar2008

Don’t You Dare

Posted in Condemnation, Forgiveness, Gospel Message, Keeping Others from Jesus, Pastor Chuck Obremski by Susan Wachtel

I was surprised at the passage that struck me as I read this week’s Bible Study Fellowship notes. I had read the passage many times before. Of course I knew that the actions of the money changers were wrong…but I never saw the gravity of it before.

Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’” – Matthew 21:12-13

After Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on His way to the cross…Jesus entered the temple. There he found wickedness and hard hearts of men seeking to take advantage of people who had come to obey the law and give a sacrificial offering for their sin.

And there they sat…smug…sanctimonious…ready to condemn and put a hurdle before the people who were coming before the Lord to confess their sin. While a lamb or a goat was an acceptable offering…God made a way for those who were too poor to afford that. Instead they could bring two turtle doves. The doves, lambs or goats had to be perfect without blemish or spot to be considered an acceptable offering. If they didn’t bring their offering from home…they could purchase it outside the temple.

But man…whose heart is deceitfully wicked above all things, sought to profit off the repentant sinners desiring to obey God and atone for their sins. The people would bring into the temple the animal or birds that would be their offering. The offering would be inspected…and if declared unacceptable…the person would be at the mercy of the money changers. If they wanted to have their sins cleansed they would have to get an animal there in the temple…one that had been deemed acceptable. The prices the money changers charged…were many times over what they would pay for an animal outside the temple.

People…for whom purchasing two turtle doves was a heavy sacrifice…would be forced to pay exorbitant rates so they might be cleansed from their sin as specified under the law.

While the Bible never states this…I wouldn’t be surprised that if after they deemed an animal unacceptable as a sacrifice…making pretty penny in the process of exchanging it for an acceptable one…I’ll bet you they turned right around and sold those animals and birds to someone else waiting in line to make atonement for their sins.

They profited from people who were weighed down by their sin…those who wanted to be cleansed.

But what about those people…who didn’t have the money to purchase an animal or bird from the money changes? What about them? Did they leave the temple with their head hung low…bearing the weight sin? Sin that would now not be washed away…as God had commanded?

These people extracted a heavier price for sin than God did. The money changers even kept people from coming to God. How many repentant sinners were kept away from God because of the money changer’s greed and judgmental, condemning attitude?

When I read that passage…I got to thinking about how I might keep people from coming to Jesus? Am I judgmental…because someone doesn’t dress in a manner I think is appropriate? Do I look down on someone…because they don’t know Jesus and are living a sinful lifestyle? Have I so soon forgotten my sinfulness which nailed Jesus to the cross to pay the penalty for my sin? Do I think that there are some sins that are easier to accept like lying or stealing? Do I think that child molester…or murderer…can’t be saved? Am I even relieved to think they are going to hell?

Sometimes it seems like the church…the body of Christ…which should be so loving and forgiving…is critical and condemning. Condemning of both sinners and each other. James talked about the tongue…and how difficult it is to tame. Even for a Christian. God tells us that out of the abundance of our heart the mouth speaks.

So while I might not be out there robbing the local liquor store…shooting up heroin…or stabbing someone to steal their purse…what am I doing with my mouth? Am I robbing someone of their reputation by telling others about their misstep? Am I high on the drug of conceit? Putting others down…so I might feel better about myself? Am I stabbing someone in the back…as I whisper about what they’ve done…to anyone who will listen?

Do I then try to be magnanimous and invite that person who I was just condemning to church? Do I tell them of the love and forgiveness of Jesus…but don’t demonstrate it in my actions and words? Do I forget so easily that God has taken all my sins…sealed them in a bag and tossed them in the farthest reaches of the sea? As Pastor Philip De Courcy said, “Never to be seen again!” Do I desire that others…even the vilest offender be forgiven? Or am I self satisfied…pleased that God saved me but with precious little concern for others?

That’s not to say…that some things shouldn’t be condemned. But perhaps I would do better to walk in grace and love. Condemn the sin…and reach out to the sinner with love, grace and the Good News of the Gospel that Jesus saves!

I can still remember my beloved Pastor Chuck Obremski passionately warning us, “Don’t you ever keep someone from coming to Jesus!” I think those words were uttered in sermon about the realities of hell. How permanent…total and all consuming hell is. That we are never to think that someone can’t be saved. From the vilest offender…like a murderer, child molester, or rapist…to the person who appears good on the outside…but inside is filled with deceit and hatred.

With man it is impossible. But with God…All things are possible!

11Mar2008

Lessons from the Wine Press

Posted in Forgiveness, Hurt by Susan Wachtel

When talking with a friend who’s in the midst of difficult circumstances…I was reminded of time, not too long ago, that felt like a wine press. While not wanting to lecture my friend…I wanted to pass along things I had learned to spare him some of the painful lessons I learned the hard way.

Don’t take the bitterness, hurt and anger from the present or the past…into the future.

Keep your eyes unwaveringly focused on God and the future. Don’t look back.

Remember that God has a perfect plan for you and your future…and sometimes He uses painful circumstances to get you there.

During this time…there’s a sifting that goes on. In that process…you will loose some people and things that were once important. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.

The wine press reveals character both in you and those around you.

It reveals true friends and those who are just around out of convenience or necessity.

Forgive, forgive, forgive…and when it doubt forgive some more.

Loose the attitude…it serves no purpose…and will only hurt you as you go forward.

Don’t bad mouth!

When you get to the point where you are so alone…and no one seems to be around or care…that’s where you will find the quite presence of God. He will strengthen you and you will go on.

You learn more about yourself in the wine press than any other place.

Remember with fondness people and good times. It’ll hurt to do so…but it will be bittersweet.

11Mar2008

Forgivenall

Posted in Forgiveness by Susan Wachtel

11Mar2008

Stingy Grace

Posted in Forgiveness, Obeying God, poem by Susan Wachtel

How do you respond to someone,
Who is unforgiving…stingy with their grace?

What do you say to someone,
Who refuses to acknowledge their own sin?

At what point to you give up,
Walk away, and never look back?

They can not give,
What they have never received, can they?

What does my Savior require,
When forgiveness is rejected, set aside, torn asunder?

Forgive again…
Will you dare to be generous with your grace?

February 28, 2008
Susan Bunts

What do you do when you reach out with olive branch…only to have that branch broken and returned you?

“But God…he was stingy with his grace…he was hard hearted…unkind and uncaring. You want me to forgive that?”

“Okay God…I forgive!”

“Atta-girl Susan…you keep obeying and following Me. Now you might want to even be praying for him. What do you think?”

“Yes Lord.”

5Mar2008

Never Say Never

Posted in Conservative Politics, John McCain, McCain Vomit Bag, Republican Party by Susan Wachtel

For the most part…I’ve stayed away from commenting about the election this year. It’s been hard…but I’ve not wanted to alienate people whose politics differ from my own.

It seems that conservatives are now faced with the unenviable position of voting for one of the most liberal Republicans running for office.

In recent years…time and time again…I swore I would never vote for John McCain. McCain Kennedy…McCain Feingold…The Gang of 14…Global Warming…Tax Cuts…Boarder Security…and on, and on it goes.

Well it looks like…I’m going to have to “suck it up”…and do what I have to do to defeat Hilary or Barack this year.

John McCain is wild card. He’s turned against the base of the Republican Party one too many times. But at least we have a shot at getting better judges with McCain than either of the Democratic options. Ahhhhhhhhhh!

Don’t think of it as voting for McCain…think of it as voting against Hilary or Barack.

So…with Vomit Bag in hand…I’ll likely be casting my vote for John McCain come November.

I think that the McCain Vomit Bag ought to be part of the McCain campaign paraphernalia.

4Mar2008

Cause & Effect

Posted in Bible, Bible Study Fellowship, Conviction, Holy Spirit by Susan Wachtel

The week didn’t start out that way…and it surely was not my intent to not complete my Bible Study Fellowship homework. But there it was…Sunday night and well after 11 pm, and the only thing I had done was read the notes. Yikes…how did that happen?

Yes, I had a busy schedule. But not more than normal…not really. I’d be hard pressed to tell you what I did that supplanted the attention that I normally devote to Bible study time. After going through a week without that personal study time…I can tell you…there is a price to be paid for not studying.

Despite the fact my lesson was blank I wanted to go to class tonight. I got there just in time for the lecture. As usual…Terri’s lecture was compelling and convicting. The images and words that Terri shared… I could not get out of my head. Terri described how two young girls hung on the words of a hymn and were in awe when learning about Jesus for the first time. They were in awe. When’s the last time I was in awe of God…or enraptured by what I was learning?

Terry contrasted that with their mom…who sat a distance away…with her arms folded. Ears hearing…but not a listening heart. Is that me? I pray not.

But God drove home the point…as I drove home. The Holy Spirit convicted me of not putting God first this week. Yes…I was in church…and at my regular Bible studies…and even attended the prayer meeting. But I didn’t read the Book. Each day…I’m eager to put in CD’s to hear great preaching…I’m drinking from an abundant well…but I’m left thirsty.

Then I realized…that by not taking the time to do my study, to read the Bible for myself…I was neglecting my personal relationship with God. There is a time and place for all the above activities. They are very good…but not when they take the place of personal Bible study time.

God brought to mind the analogy of a husband saying he was knows and is communicating with his wife…but he has no personal or direct contact with her. Instead of seeing her and talking with her face to face…or speaking directly to her on the phone…he’s satisfied with talking to her friends or family to find out how she’s doing. They may even be giving an accurate assessment of how his wife is doing…but it in no way substitutes for personal interaction. To know and see her for himself.

That’s exactly what I was doing. Listening to sermons or Bible studies is a good. But it never should replace my own personal Bible study time. Even if the Pastor is accurate and effective in preaching the word of God…I’m hearing it through someone else’s filter. I’m not hearing God speak directly to me through the study of His word.

The husband and wife analogy is an apt description. Just as husband would more inclined to start looking elsewhere and be tempted to stray when he doesn’t foster and maintain that personal relationship…so too am I vulnerable to wandering.

As the old hymn goes, “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love”. But the remedy is simple, yet not easy. “Here’s my heart, Oh take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above”. That sealing…that binding takes place when I’m studying and reading His word for myself…daily.

25Feb2008

Encore, Encore

Posted in God's Word, Mike Paddison, Sin by Susan Wachtel

I have an encore performance from the honorable Mike Paddison. Mike first made his debut acting as defense attorney for my kitty Rudy. Rudy had been caught in the act of absconding with Christmas tree ornaments. He was entirely unrepentant and continued in his wayward actions. Mike successfully cast aspersions on the camera operator…namely me…and all charges were dropped on little Rudy’s pending case. Since Christmas has concluded…you will be pleased to know that Rudy has not swiped any more ornaments.

Mike wears many hats…husband…father…friend…CBS Core Leader…audio ministry CD guy…chief trouble maker and more. Mike has skills I recently discovered out of the blue. Mr. Paddison…likes to stay up late working on the computer. That’s usually about the time I’m finishing up an article. No matter how many times I proof something…a boo, boo or two will slip through. But now I have the unofficial editor of Susan’s Blog. When I’m finishing up an article…I’ll check to see if the night owl is up. If he is…I shoot him over an article for proofing.

Last night I did that…and my editor had closed shop for the day. But this afternoon he got back to me with corrections and a recommendation. Mike was concerned that on most recent piece, “Costly Sin”, that I left the impression that I am currently engaged in a sinful lifestyle…as I outlined the perils and cost of sin in a Christian’s life.

I did make some changes per Mike’s recommendation…but find that when I write…it’s more effective when I personalize it. When I observe a friend, co-worker or family member’s life, behavior or words…that sparks an idea for an article…I try to personalize it. It’s all too easy for me to write articles that are “you” focused.

I can write: “Christian friend…when you are walking in sin you are saying Jesus Christ saves you…but can’t deliver you from your sins.”

Or I can say: “When I’m walking in sin…I’m saying Jesus Christ saves me…but can’t deliver me from my sins.”

It’s probably a matter of style…but I think…and it’s my prayer that people hear things more easily when I don’t point my finger I their face…and say “you”. It’s also important that I apply the lessons I see in other people’s lives. I don’t need to make the same mistakes to learn from them.

So while I’m not actively living in a sinful lifestyle…may I be ever mindful…there but for the grace of God, there go I.

Below are some comments from Mike Paddison that I found quite compelling. Thank you Mike…for taking on the unofficial role of editor. I am most grateful. Thank you for your words of wisdom.

“You don’t do any of those things as a pattern of your life style. You, or any of us, may not be the most perfect witnesses. We may not tell everyone we meet about Jesus. In fact, we may not even tell those who we see all the time about Jesus. But, like Philip De Courcy said today, we do have to live it in front of them. We are called to STUDY God’s Word, LIVE God’s Word, and then TEACH God’s Word. So, how do we, those of us who are not pastors, teach God’s Word. We do it by how we live our lives. There’s that old saying, “Be a witness for Christ, and if necessary, use words.” Live it in front of the world, and if God opens up the opportunity to talk to someone about Him.”

24Feb2008

Not Promised Tomorrow

Posted in Forgiveness, Love, poem, Salvation by Susan Wachtel

I go along content,
So certain of tomorrow,
Making plans of what I will do…one day.

Oh there’s that call I’ll make,
To a long lost friend,
Make amends, mend fences and restore.

I promise…I’ll finally get to that letter,
Write of my love,
Tell you what you’ve meant to me.

It all seems so sure,
Each day dawns and the sun still sets right on time,
Every day seems to go on…just as I’d planned.

Then one day…news,
An accident, disease, a sudden death,
My plans unalterably changed.

Words of forgiveness will go unspoken,
The words “I love you”,
Will not be heard by the one I love.

I will not know this side of eternity,
Did you know I had forgiven…so long ago?
Did you feel the love deep in my heart…but never uttered from my lips?

Oh Lord forgive me,
For I have presumed…I did not know,
We are not promised tomorrow.

By Susan Bunts
February 23, 2008

It seems with the passing of each day…there is news someone’s grave illness or death. Sometimes drawn out over time…sometimes in the blink of an eye they are gone. I can only pray that during that time…they reach out make amends, say I love you, and leave nothing unspoken.

I know full well the peril in not taking the time to ask questions and work through issues. My mom has Alzheimer’s…and the answers to questions I might have asked are securely locked up in her mind and will remain a mystery this side of heaven.

More importantly is the choice that each of us must make. Will I confess Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior…will I bend my knee this side of heaven? The Bible assures us that one day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus Christ is Lord…to the glory of God forever.

One of the concerns I have is the uncertainty of my mother’s salvation. She went to church…and lived a decent and good life. Not perfect…but good. She didn’t talk of spiritual matters too often. Bible reading and prayer were not something that were part of our daily life. Her church going was in her youth…and after my father died. When she remarried we went to church weekly. She was in church…but I can’t tell you for sure if she is in Christ. That is why I talk to her about Jesus…and how to be saved. But because she can’t clearly express herself anymore I don’t know if she was saved at moment in time. I don’t know if she has the ability to make that choice now.

If I am hard hearted, willful, refuse to obey God’s leading, unkind, uncaring and stingy in my grace…then I will live a life of regrets. If I think I’m getting into heaven because I go to church, say a prayer, or live a life that’s better than the average guy…then I will be shocked when I hear Jesus say, “Away from me, I never knew you.” I will be protesting all the way to hell.

God’s word tells us that “Today is the day of salvation”. Today…I can make that choice. To refuse to do so…is presuming upon tomorrow. God may not give me tomorrow. When I lay my head on the pillow tonight…I don’t know if I will draw my last breath. The question is…when I awake in eternity…will I be in heaven or hell?

24Feb2008

Broken

Posted in Compromised Church, Gospel Message, poem, Saved by Grace, Sinner by Susan Wachtel

Am I broken,
Over churches who compromise,
Fail to teach the Word of God?

Am I grieved,
When churches aim to please seekers,
Instead of feeding the flock?

Do I cry,
When my Savior,
Has been made a mockery to an unbelieving world?

Do I sorrow,
Over pastors who seek to entertain,
With feel good messages?

Do I question,
Pastors who desire to grow numbers,
Rather than grow character?

Do I turn off,
Not even listen,
To pastors who dare not utter the word “sinner”?

Am I appalled,
When a pastor changes a hymn,
From “wretch”, to “saved a soul like me”?

Do I tolerate,
The pastor who embraces a Muslim,
And proclaims we that worship the same God?

Do I confront heresy,
When those in the pulpit,
Deny the trinity, the virgin birth, even Jesus Christ our Lord?

Am I embarrassed,
By those who claim to be a “man of God”,
Yet are ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Or do I diligently seek,
Listen attentively,
For the Bible, the inerrant Word of God?

Is the Bible my measure,
To discern,
If one is truly in the faith?

Do I thank God,
Fall upon my knees,
For the uncompromised preaching of the Word of God?

Do I allow,
The full counsel of His Word,
To rebuke, correct, instruct me in righteousness?

Am I overcome,
With gratitude…do I loudly proclaim,
I am a sinner, saved by grace, not of works, least I boast?

By Susan Bunts
February 17, 2008

24Feb2008

Costly Sin

Posted in Bible Study Fellowship, Body of Christ, BSF, Compromise with Sin, Pastor Philip De Courcy, the Church by Susan Wachtel

It has been my privilege to participate in Bible Study Fellowship for nearly nine years. I thank God for BSF because it provides me the study and discipline that I would not achieve on my own.

I learn from the answers the other ladies on our group share. I learn from our Teaching Leader Terri de la Vega…who has a real heart for God and people. She is uncompromising in teaching the word of God and doesn’t duck when it comes to sharing hard truths.

I also learn when answering the question for our study each week. Some questions are straight forward and direct. Some cause me to think and mull over the question. In this week’s lesson we are studying Matthew 18 and the questions that really got me to thinking were about sin in the life of a Christian and how it effects the church. How sin reflects on Christ and the Gospel message.

Be it me or another Christian…sin infects the body of Christ and the church.

It’s all too easy to laugh at sin…especially as portrayed on sitcoms and movies. Shows that make sin and doing what God has declared sinful, the norm and common place. Thing like sex outside of marriage…both for singles and married people. What about homosexuality. Most shows depict homosexuals in a humorous way. To lie, cheat and steal is normal…and fails to shock people these days. Even when it comes from a respected leader.

The church in America today has become so influenced by our godless culture that we fail to see sin as sin…and declare it as such. When that happens…we are not effective instruments to share the Gospel. When I take it in stride when my friend is living with someone outside of marriage I will fail to confront them. There will be no reason to let them know that what they are doing is against God’s word…after all, “They aren’t hurting anyone, are they?”. Wrong! In fact they are. They are lost in their sin…perishing and will go to hell if they don’t accept God’s one and only acceptable sin offering…Jesus Christ and his atoning death on the cross. Part of accepting Christ is recognizing that I’m a sinner, repenting and turning away from my sin.

When a Christian steps across that line…when a Christian sins…we fail to be a useful and effective instrument in the hands of God. We buy into the lies of the enemy…who will later condemn us as a hypocrite.

As Pastor Philip De Courcy warned a couple of weeks ago, yes it is, “Once saved, always saved”. But he admonished… “Once saved, always saved…if you are truly saved.” If I say I’m a Christian, but can walk in sin, make excuses for it and not repent…I need to ask myself if I’m truly saved.

Below are some thoughts about the cost of sin to a Christian, the body of Christ and Christ Jesus my Lord.

I’m saying Jesus Christ saves me…but can’t deliver me from my sins.

That Jesus Christ is my Savior…but not my Lord and Master.

I put myself above God as I seek which pleases me, even when God has strictly prohibited it in scripture.

I don’t care that I give the body of Christ a black eye and bad reputation…and that my tainted sin casts a pall over every Christian.

I want my cake…and eat it too. To sin and enjoy it for a season…but not pay the price and consequences for my sin.

I don’t care if my sin causes another one to stumble, sin and go to destruction.

I’m saying to hell with you unbeliever who rejects the Gospel of Jesus Christ because you see me as just another hypocrite professing Christ but not walking in obedience.

I’m saying Jesus…let me let me drive another nail in Your hand. Let me add more of my sin upon You. Sin that You willingly, in obedience to the Father, took upon Yourself.

I’m believing the one who was a liar from the beginning. Taking him at his word and doubting God and His word.

I’m saying I want to belong to God…but not serve Him.

I stop seeing what God has declared wrong as sinful.

When I don’t see someone without Christ as dead in their sins…I won’t share the Gospel message.

When I’m sinning…I will be less likely to confront another Christian who is in sin. I feel guilty and don’t want to be confronted about my own sin.

24Feb2008

Not Promised Tomorrow

Posted in Forgiveness, Love, poem, Salvation by Susan Wachtel