Have you ever been so tempted to walk into a trap and felt you could not resist? I have. It’s not a fun place to be. It can even have dire consequences. So, why do we do it? Well, sometimes it’s simply rebellion. Other times it’s because the body is weak. Something called sin has its way with us at times. (Romans 5:12)
Galatians 5:17 LEB “For the flesh desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, for these are in opposition to one another, so that whatever you want, you may not do these things.”
Sometimes we cannot do all the good we desire to do. (Romans 7:15-17) Sin wins battles and it hurts us. Doing what is good is the aim, right? But let’s be honest, there are times it goes undone:
Ecclesiastes 7:20 “There is certainly no one righteous on the earth who does good and never sins.”
Thank God for Jesus’ sacrifice and His blood for the forgiveness of sins. (1 John 1:7-10)
I heard a sister in Christ say her grandmother used to say, “The shortcut is the short life.” That stuck with me. Partly because I was meditating on this before hearing her say it. I pondered how people take shortcuts in life only to find disappointment 99% of the time. Then we blame others for why things don’t work out. Not being able to wait costs. Not being willing to do introspection to see where we are to determine where we’re going costs. Throwing enough mud on the wall and hoping something sticks costs. There’s no aim, no purpose. This is like chasing after the wind.
I know some hurting folks who live the shortcut life. One I’m thinking of particularly is always in trouble. She has resorted to other bad habits to feed her addictions. These are all shortcuts. My heart breaks for her. Yet there’s not much more I can do but pray for her. This may seem small but it’s a lot. Prayer is powerful. I love her from a distance because I have to. She’s my ex-wife. It’s not until she realizes shortcuts equal a short life that she will ever change. I hope this happens before it’s too late. I hope we all realize most shortcuts aren’t worth it.
Didn’t mean to get too sappy on you guys. Just writing what’s on my heart. I hope this helps someone else.
1 Corinthians 2:1-2 “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2 For I decided not to know anything among you except JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED.”
Paul kept it simple. How often do we forget to do that? I know I do. Sometimes we get caught up in deep conversations and get off script. We skip over the basics; Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Without this we have nothing. We must seek to proclaim this truth at every opportunity. There’s nothing wrong with talking about deep things as long as we don’t forget Jesus’ sacrifice for sins. Speaking of Jesus scripture says:
1 Peter 2:8 NIV “And,“ A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.”
Jesus is the rock that causes many to stumble and fall. Why? Because His sacrifice causes us to confront ourselves and our sins. This offends most. People would rather forget what they’ve done wrong like it never happened. This is why many pursue endless pleasures that plunge them into even more sins. They’re trying to drown out or forget the dark memories of who they really are and what they’ve done. Jesus makes people see themselves truthfully. He is the truth. (John 14:6) The truth annoys folks. All the best preaching in the world won’t make people accept Jesus’ sacrifice. Either they are drawn by God or not. (John 6:44)
2 Corinthians 2:15-17 ISV “To God we are the aroma of the Messiah among those who are being saved and among those who are being lost. 16 To some people we are a deadly fragrance, while to others we are a living fragrance. Who is qualified for this? 17 At least we are not commercializing God’s word like so many others. Instead, we speak with sincerity in the Messiah’s name, like people who are sent from God and are accountable to God.”
As those sent by God Himself may we not forget our mission:
Mark 16:15 LEB “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and PREACH THE GOSPEL TO ALL CREATION.”
To be saved one has to face his/her sins so they can be washed away. (Proverbs 28:13) The gospel does this, nothing else. Don’t forget your mission. Proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins—and eternal life for all who receive Him. (John 3:16) 😊 Keep it simple.
2 Kings 6:15-17 CSB “When the servant of the man of God got up early and went out, he discovered an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?” 16 Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed, “Lord, please OPEN HIS EYES AND LET HIM SEE.” So the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw that the mountain was covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
You are never alone servant of God. Remember that. Just one plus God outnumbers the enemy. You are the majority, not the minority. You are not less than. But the enemy loves to make us feel that way. He whispers fears in our ears. “You don’t have this or that so you can’t do this or that.” “You’re not pretty or handsome enough.” “You’re not smart or strong enough.” All sorts of silly suggestions the enemy sends our way. But we have God. With Him, we can do even the seemingly impossible.
God is our Father. He makes us strong when we are weak. He gives us joy when we are sad. He gives peace in our pain. He showers us with love while the world hates us. He feeds all of our hungers. He is the glue that holds us together. May we remember this when faced with obstacles. May we remember our God when strong enemies come against us. We are never alone or outnumbered! God has assigned angels to protect us. (Psalm 91:9-12) All it takes is one to do the job. Like the angel that wiped out the entire Assyrian army that came against Israel:
2 Kings 19:35 ESV “And that night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.”
So, if God is for us tell me who can be against us? No, we are never the minority family, but always the majority with God. All we have to do is open our eyes and see.
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