Transgression

On this Lord’s Day Sunday, we come consciously to this time of receiving, fully mindful that whatever time it is – morning, noon or night - it is a privilege, because we are alive, and we are able to come to this place. Who, but Father God has given us this grace to receive of Him? Who, but our Saviour, has bought and offered us, free of cost, this boldness to come unto the throne of grace? Who, but the Holy Spirit has enabled us to receive, and know truth in our very beings, truth about our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ?

Whoever you are and wherever you may be at this moment, cast your burdened and weary self upon Jesus. Though you feel that all you seek, all you desire, all you hope for never become a reality in your life, keep with Jesus. Look to the Holy Spirit as never before. Be bold and truthful in your words to Him. Ask Him to take your life and teach you obedience to the Father. Lessons of obedience are not always pleasant and these may be the last things you have been hoping for. Nonetheless, let none deceive you. Without obedience, you will never ever receive the life you are seeking.

I have come to the jolting reality that my understanding of obedience and Jesus’ understanding of obedience, never agree. My obedience is of some things, when I am able to obey, or when it suits me and those around me. On the other hand, God’s obedience is in all things. My obedience does not see anything wrong with a diversion here and there, but the Lord’s obedience is total, complete and full. As disciples, servants, friends and followers of Jesus, we all have pledged obedience, loyalty and love to our Lord and Master.

Many of us refuse to accept or answer to any charge that we are being betrayers, slanderers and people of treasonable reports. O No! We will vehemently argue against these and other transgressions, holding up men and women of the world, enemies of our Lord, as those who commit such grave and grievous acts. But is that really so?

During this coming week, as the Holy Spirit commands, we will face some of the most uncomfortable, unpalatable, disquieting facts which many of us will not want to hear. Some of us will hear and like ostriches, bury our heads in the sand, so that we do not have to face the reality of our deceived lives. Others of us will hear and keep our heads high, holding on to pious, religious, pharisaical lives, which hang like an albatross around our necks. So blind are we, we cannot see that our own self-righteous lives are keeping us from flying in the Spirit, on the wings of faith. There are still others of us who do not bury our heads in the sand and who carry no good works as an albatross on our necks. We simply say that all the talk about what the Spirit does and all that Jesus has promised are not for us, so we live like dodos, with faith unexercised, so that we have come to maturity, but are unable to fly one centimeter high on our faith.

Holy Spirit, You who are present to convict and convince, have Your own way in every one of us. Thank You for grace and mercy. Amen!