04/13/18 JOY UNSPEAKABLE
(Something I wrote early this morning. It might be worth your time to read).
I read an article about a 26 year old man who had been a highly sought after athlete in high school, but spent 6 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Finally his accuser admitted that he never committed the crime. Think about the losses he has suffered and think about the new opportunities he faces, in spite of the losses, and yes, think about the losses he faces in spite of his new opportunity. Life is complex.
Regardless of any innocence or guilt, losses or opportunities, I thought about John (or Jane) Q. Sinner. He has broken the Laws of God, and has not faced the full weight of justice. Maybe he has had losses because of his crimes against heaven, but he has not yet stood before the bar of God. He has not had the evidence raise against him. He has not heard the verdict declared. Maybe he has reaped great benefits from his sins. Maybe his victims have suffered unspeakable losses and heartaches. In any case, he has broken the law of God, but has not been called to account.
Then an Advocate (the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit) comes to him and offers him a deal.
BELIEVE CHRIST DIED AND ROSE AGAIN FOR YOUR SINS,
CONFESS YOUR SINS AND CONFESS FAITH IN CHRIST,
TURN FROM SIN,
FOLLOW JESUS,
AND YOU WILL BE FORGIVEN, SET FREE FROM YOUR GUILT AND FROM ETERNAL PUNISHMENT.
It is hard to imagine the relief, the joy that the young man must have felt as he sat in court weeping, when he was told that he would be set free from his unjust losses.
How much greater the relief and joy for John Q. Sinner to find out that he will never have to face judgment for the crimes against God, which he has committed? To find out that the chains of rebellion can be removed from his heart, here and now? To find out that he has an opportunity beyond imagination?
Yet people hold on to their sins and guilt and law breaking, compounding their guilt, their judgment, their losses, their misery.
When you hear the offer of God (in your heart), do not reject the offer, do not ignore the Advocate, do not miss your opportunity. There is no other deal, there is no other offer. There is no other escape from certain judgment and eternal loss.
