The road of hard knocks is not the best road to travel, nor is it to our advantage to expose ourselves to the lessons it brings, especially the ones that follow deviate misbehaving. Freely indulging in sinful pleasures in a world that caters to lascivious behavior is not an expedient way to gain wisdom and knowledge. It is not wise to do so.
God gave us the Holy Bible as a roadmap to help guide us away from compromising pitfalls that can destroy not only the body, but the soul as well.
I’ve listened to profound testimonies from Christians that were bound by sinful pleasures; who were slaves to their own desires. They were wonderfully transformed into new creations by the power of God, through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit that drew them, and the grace of God that saved them, made the difference. This is the beauty of salvation.
The Lord changes hopeless sinners into children of God and enables them to turn their back on the old sin nature and provides the where-with-all to put on the clean, fresh garments of forgiveness, honor and good sense. Jesus made this possible through His death and resurrection.
Children that give their heart and soul to Jesus in adolescence and continue to serve God through adulthood are to be commended. They are certainly blessed of the Father in heaven. Their life with Christ is wonderful and rewarding. Dedication to God allows them to walk in peace. They never worry about venereal diseases through undisciplined promiscuity; kidney or liver failure from using alcohol and drugs; decaying lungs and heart disease, because of tobacco use; or physical and mental problems caused by horrific life styles. Their walk with Christ eradicates fear and trepidation.
Yes, situations and tragedies of life befall every Christian; however, the odds of not contracting certain diseases are in favor of those that refuse to partake of sin. They are not subject to the undesirable affects that sin brings.
Hearing testimonies from Christians can strengthen our walk with Christ, but we seldom hear testimonies from people that have remained true to God’s principles their whole life. Regrettably, recognition and credence is given to miraculous conversions of retched sinners more often than consecrated “lifers” with Christ.
I believe there are instances when Christians forget the most important factor of their conversion…Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The plan of salvation and personal testimonies, thereof, must be centered upon Jesus and not their own individual experiences when they were in sin. Too often new-born Christians become enamored with themselves and the attention they now receive.
The focus of “new beginnings” must be centered upon (John ) and not how great we are. It is nothing that we have done to receive homage and praise of man, we are merely sinners saved by God’s amazing grace. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
If caution is ignored, testimonies of past sins can be glorified more so than glorifying the one who set captives free. God’s forgiving grace should be the main focus of any testimony. I believe, at times, there is more emphasis placed on the negative aspects of past shortcomings, by means of explicit details, that the true meaning of salvation is missed. I call these people; “Look at me” Christians.
Salvation is made possible only by the blood of the Lamb; Jesus Christ the Righteous. People sometimes fail to realize (Zechariah 4:6), “…Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” No matter how deep in sin, every Christian is a sinner saved by grace; unable to do anything to save themselves and merit God’s favor. It is Jesus Christ that liberates the souls of mankind.
An hour long testimony of past rebellion, with disgusting details, and a five minute credit to God at the end is not using good judgment. It is a thin line between self exaltation of the past and total thanksgiving to the Lord for complete and utter forgiveness. Which do you think should be glorified more; past escapades with the devil or present encounters with God?
I also believe there are Christians in the audience that enjoy hearing testimonies of smut and superficial life styles, because it provides a platform for self-destructive thoughts to grow concerning their own shortcomings in life. It allows them to not only surround themselves with a “nobody’s perfect” attitude, but it encapsulates them in a fruitless environment of “what ifs”, thus preventing growth in the Lord. It’s their excuse for walking the fence between right and wrong. How foolish they are!
Yes, experience can be an educator, and the road of hard knocks illuminates the mind at times, but God’s Word is of greater value. It has much deeper insight to right and wrong. Allowing the Bible to be a lamp unto our feet and a light to our pathway provides less heartache, with virtually no scaring or regrets.
As we abide in the warnings of the Bible and the strength it provides, these warnings help sustain our covenant relationship with God. God’s strength becomes our strength. God’s Word remains our guide to a more fulfilled and productive life, without all the turmoil that accompanies sin.
Fire need not be experienced to know that it’s hot. Greater education comes through experiencing the promises of God’s Word; knowledge that the world cannot provide.
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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