I am the man without any sense

In Proverbs 7 starting in verse 7, we hear of a foolish young man. A young man with no sense. He's easily lured into something he knows that he should not do. He is weak.

It's easy to stand outside of the story and judge him, until I realize that I am that senseless, foolish young man.

How many times have I done something even though I knew that it was wrong? I'd rather not answer that question, to be honest. And how many times have I drug my feet when I knew that I should do something? Again, I'd prefer to plead the fifth.

God does not provide this scripture to make us feel down about ourselves, or to shame us into using our own power to be better about these things. He provides us with this truth about our weakness to remind us then we need Him, that we need His mercy in grace.

I am reminded of my own failure. But this reality does not make me sad anymore. It gives me joy. It reminds me that I am not some self made man who can pull himself up by his own bootstraps. It reminds me that I need my Savior.

I settle in the reality that this is who I am: someone who very much needs God's grace and mercy. And this increases my appreciation and love for Him who has so selflessly given it to me.

It's not about being GOOD. It' about being PERFECT.

Given:

1. God will not be near imperfection.
2. No matter how many good things we do, we can never be perfect on our own.
3. Hence, even by being good - even really really good - we still cannot make it into heaven. Not on our own.

So, if it's not about being good, what is it about?

The Psalmist writes, Generous in love - God, give grace! Huge in mercy - wipe out my bad record! Scare away my guilt, soak up my sins in your laundry. I know how bad I've been; my sins are staring me down. (The Message)

If asked, secular people would likely say, "But I don't sin" or at least, "I don't sin that much, plus I do a lot of really good things."  But this sentiment comes from a simple lack of fundamental understanding of Scripture and what God considers sin. Forget our personal, softened definitions. Sin, as clarified by Jesus, is even the mere lingering lustful thought, or the "little white lie". These are filthy and unholy to God.

"Wow. Well that's just depressing," says the unbeliever. 

And it would be quite depressing, if there weren't another way. Because there are two ways to this life and to eternity:

• Depending upon oneself. Being a self-made man. Going it alone.

OR

• Lifting it all up to Him. Trusting Him at His promise. Letting go and letting God.

The former - no matter how many wonderful acts of kindness, compassion, generosity you perform on your own power - leads to eternity based on that premise ... that you believe you simply don't need God.

The latter leads to eternal life with God, beginning the day you accept Christ into your heart and allow him to take your life over for you, and to save you from punishment for sin (a.k.a. death).

Every person who has ever lived, bar none, is a sinner.  All have sinned and fallen short, says Paul.  All but one. And that One, who lived a perfect sinless life, was Jesus Christ. Upon His sacrifice on the cross as atonement for all of our sins, we have a way to be perfect, without blemish, white as snow in God's eyes.

As the Psalmist said, only God's grace and mercy can save us. And that grace and mercy - that redemption - comes only ... ONLY ... through faith in Christ.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that we should not only not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

There is a way, but that Way is not through good works on our own power. That Way is through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Period.

Seek Him sincerely, and you WILL find him.  Go it alone, and you've made your decision that you'd rather be without Him, for eternity. Think about that, and choose wisely. It's the most important decision of your life.

God I pray for the unbeliever. Remove their blinders, their pride, their fear of being duped. Let them know that you are real, and that you will offer a free gift of salvation, that results in eternity in joy, love, and ultimate peace. I pray this in the beautiful name of Jesus. Amen

Love you guys.  Peace out.

Grace wins ... every time.

To the Prodigal Son:  grace wins.
To the woman at the well:  grace wins.
To the thief on the cross:  grace wins.
To you and me and every one of us, all of whom are sinners:  grace wins.

There's a war between guilt and grace. But grace wins every time.

"Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more!"  -Paul

Jesus, you know just how far the east is from the west.  I can't stand to see the man I've been, rising up in me again. In the arms of your mercy I find rest.  Can you show me just how far the east is from the west? From one scarred hand to the other. -- Casting Crowns