I was having plenty of windshield time, and you know how that is. That is, after all, one of the benefits of this way of life. The ability to just shut everything else off, up, or out. Time to think. Time to reflect. Time to plan. Time to pray. Yeah, pray. Ya know, making sure that you and the Almighty are in good standing. I kinda need to do that on a constant basis or I go batty.
There is a song out there by an artist called Sara Groves. She had a song some years ago on her Conversations album called "How is it between us" That song still mess's with me. It's a reminder for me that I was created for something greater. For Someone greater. He just loves hearing from us, and I'm pretty convinced that He loves it when we can hear from Him too. So that's kinda where I was at the other day, Just asking Him, " so, how is it between us Lord?
Sometime I love the answer I get, other times, I wish I really had not asked the question. This was one of those days of not liking the answer I got. It wouldn't be so bad, but you know you don't have a leg to stand on when the King of the universe is calling you out. After all, He is the final Word. The most fair and just Judge ever, anywhere, anytime. So here I am, knowing I'm a sinful man, feeling like I'm about to get it. But ya know? That's the coolest thing. Father God points out, or address our sin, or shortcomings, or faults, whatever you want to call 'em, just so He can see us grow even stronger, fly higher, and run longer.
Hang on, gonna be a bumpy ride today.
We're in 1 Corinthians 6 this time and getting taught some valuable lessons.
7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Right away I started to think of all those hypocrites I have seen and know about in church's and on the t.v. ministries and think, " man oh man you nailed them with that one God. Then I hear, " read it again.
(Just so you know, I don't read going down the road. I do have a road safe program to be able to listen to, and even repeat and move around in anything I am drawn to read about.)
So I read it again. Then I see what He is want to show me. Ouch!
" Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters." I can't say that I have knowingly ever cheated a brother or sister in Christ, but I do know I have wronged some. " But Lord, I was offended by that one." or " Lord, you don't understand, that one messed with me on purpose. Am I just supposed to sit there and take it? Well Lord? " So what do you think the answer was? Yep, your right. He didn't see things my way, but rather reminded me how my Jesus took every blow, every curse, every insult and said nothing. When He did speak up, all He said was, " forgive them Father, they don't know what their doing".
What can I say to that. Forgive me, Lord. That's all I could say. You see, right there in verse 9 I catch another warning, 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? So if I'm getting this, Lord, You're saying if I wasn't to repent for the things I've done, I can't get into heaven? " That's right".
Do not be deceived: Make sure you don't miss this part. He says, "DON'T BE DECEIVED". Don't be lead astray by some gospel that says it's okay to do all the things you know you shouldn't and still think you'll be able to enter into the Kingdom of heaven. He continues;
Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
I could go over all this one by one, I think I'll let you read it a few time on your own. Instead, I want you to see this. Paul says to the Corinthian church, " 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
Wait a minute. Are you telling me that this church is made up of a bunch of wrongdoing, cheating, sexually immoral, adulterers, idol worshipers, homosexuals,thieves, greedy folks, drunks, slanderers, and swindlers?
Yep, that's what I'm saying. You wanna know the truth? So are most of the church's in America today!
But listen now. " That's what some of you were. " You see, so many of the church's out there today seem to forget one pretty important thing. They once were like this. There is this, " better than you", kind of mentality that can really stink up a church. Maybe that's why they call the big bench's, "pews". Ha! That was funny.
Anyway, " What some of you were". You aren't that way anymore. Stop trying to go back to that life you were rescued from! Once you realize what Jesus has done for you, He washed away all your sin and gave you a fresh start.
It doesn't end there, tho. Whatever we see Him do, that's what we're supposed to do, right? Well, then shouldn't we be humble enough to see that the guy on the street that looks like he really could use a hand up, is in fact, one step beyond where we were before Christ.
There will be plenty of time for us to judge this world. ( read verse 2-4 ) But not now! John 3:17 says " for God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that through Him, the world may be saved." One day He will return to judge the living and the dead, The righteous and the wicked. But until He does, You need to be reading this instruction manual and do what it says to do. They used to say, " practice what it preaches", or something like that.
But most of all, when your looking at that long ribbon of highway in front of you, and lots of hours behind you. When you start to feel that prompting, after all your hours of "windshield time", to say, "Hey God, How are things between us"? Listen. Believe it or not, you really can hear it over the roar of that Detroit, Cat, or Cummins. The voice of God telling you how much He love's you. How much He love's it when you call out to Him. And sometimes, like this time for me, you might get a course correction. But trust me, the view is a lot better, and after you've followed His leading for a while, you'll come to realize you were directed away from a few washed out roads, torn down bridges, and some really nasty neighborhoods that he wanted to save you from.
It's a long trip. Are you gonna be ready for the long haul?
Be strong, be courageous,
"Shorthaul"
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