My Pastor gave me an incredible book the other day. It's called The Truth War by John MacArthur. It's main focus is apostosy in the church and how we as Christians must stand up and fight for the truth.
Sometimes the truth is something that people don't want to hear. They would prefer it if they were not reminded of their sin. It's easier that way. Or so they think.
I began thinking about my own sin. Things I have done in my life that I would prefer not to deal with. Things best left unspoken. I mean, after all, God has forgiven me hasn't He? Why do I need to dig up things that happened so long ago? I found I was tired of carrying loads that I couldn't dump. It was like garbage that just kept piling up and piling up and where was the dumpster? There wasn't one. So it just got rotten and more smelly. It permeated my life. It smelled like a bad temper, partying, caring more about myself than my husband and my children, cursing, and on and on. I needed to give my problems to the One who can carry them. He said "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29) Rest. That's what I needed. And rest is what I got.
On this Good Friday, I am reminded of what our Lord did for us on this day in history. Knowing me, He willingly went through a day that none of us will ever have to experience. After all of the physical punishment, the thing that was most excrutiating was bearing my sin and the wrath of His Father that was meant for me. He knew my sin. He knew yours. He knew what the world would do to you. He knew you would yield to what the world wants. He loved you to the end.
The world is telling us that life means nothing unless it is breathing air. The world is telling us that having children when they aren't planned, or not perfect, is an undue burden that women should not have to carry. The world is telling us that it is okay, in fact it is courageous for a woman to "terminate" a pregnancy. But what the world is not telling you is that in your heart you know it isn't true. So when the act is accomplished and you can't take it back, it becomes trash in your heart. It gets rotten, it gets smelly and there isn't a dumpster to throw it in. It starts manifesting itself in your life. Poor relationships, drug or alcohol abuse, general self -centeredness. You try to hide the smell with a smile. All the while you have pain beyond human cure. But there is a cure. His name is Jesus. He wants to clean up the garbage for you. He wants to cradle you and love on you and sing to you. He wants you to know that your baby is in Heaven with Him and that someday, if you will only trust in Him, you will see that child. No sin is beyond His forgiveness.
So back to the truth war. The truth is, you can't deal with your sin. Only Jesus can. If you have been a victim of the abortion lie in this world, please tell someone. Tell one of your Christian friends who know Jesus and His forgiveness. Start allowing Jesus to heal you and make His temple clean again. You won't regret it. It's eternal.
Sometimes the truth is something that people don't want to hear. They would prefer it if they were not reminded of their sin. It's easier that way. Or so they think.
I began thinking about my own sin. Things I have done in my life that I would prefer not to deal with. Things best left unspoken. I mean, after all, God has forgiven me hasn't He? Why do I need to dig up things that happened so long ago? I found I was tired of carrying loads that I couldn't dump. It was like garbage that just kept piling up and piling up and where was the dumpster? There wasn't one. So it just got rotten and more smelly. It permeated my life. It smelled like a bad temper, partying, caring more about myself than my husband and my children, cursing, and on and on. I needed to give my problems to the One who can carry them. He said "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29) Rest. That's what I needed. And rest is what I got.
On this Good Friday, I am reminded of what our Lord did for us on this day in history. Knowing me, He willingly went through a day that none of us will ever have to experience. After all of the physical punishment, the thing that was most excrutiating was bearing my sin and the wrath of His Father that was meant for me. He knew my sin. He knew yours. He knew what the world would do to you. He knew you would yield to what the world wants. He loved you to the end.
The world is telling us that life means nothing unless it is breathing air. The world is telling us that having children when they aren't planned, or not perfect, is an undue burden that women should not have to carry. The world is telling us that it is okay, in fact it is courageous for a woman to "terminate" a pregnancy. But what the world is not telling you is that in your heart you know it isn't true. So when the act is accomplished and you can't take it back, it becomes trash in your heart. It gets rotten, it gets smelly and there isn't a dumpster to throw it in. It starts manifesting itself in your life. Poor relationships, drug or alcohol abuse, general self -centeredness. You try to hide the smell with a smile. All the while you have pain beyond human cure. But there is a cure. His name is Jesus. He wants to clean up the garbage for you. He wants to cradle you and love on you and sing to you. He wants you to know that your baby is in Heaven with Him and that someday, if you will only trust in Him, you will see that child. No sin is beyond His forgiveness.
So back to the truth war. The truth is, you can't deal with your sin. Only Jesus can. If you have been a victim of the abortion lie in this world, please tell someone. Tell one of your Christian friends who know Jesus and His forgiveness. Start allowing Jesus to heal you and make His temple clean again. You won't regret it. It's eternal.
