Having, then, a great Chief Priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, we may be holding to the avowal. For we have not a Chief Priest not able to sympathize with our infirmities, but One Who has been tried in all respects like us, apart from sin.
To the Hebrews 4: 14-15, Concordant New Testament
I was called out the other day by a good friend. I've always said that if a friend cannot challenge you for wrong behaviors then there is something wrong. Some would call this holding each other accountable. I simply think of it as a friend reminding me of who I really am. The story goes that, while having dinner with a few friends, my eyes were attracted to an attractive lady. Not only that, but my thoughts were suddenly led to what some might call improper thoughts concerning her. Now, I'm not stranger to these feelings, I've spent many an evening in a number of strip clubs. But this time was different. This time the thoughts came despite my knowing who it is that I am. Indeed, I have no doubt that I live in union with Jesus and the Father {Johns Account 14:20}. I realize that I am created in the Fathers likeness {Genesis 1:27}. Despite this knowing, somehow those old feelings creeped up once again this week. Therefore, the next day, my good friend did the right thing and reminded me that this lady was, as I am, a child of the Father. That hit me hard! No longer was I a fun loving guy simply having a good time, but a child of the Lord who was treading somewhere I should not have been. In His own way, God reminded me of this through my dear friend. For this I am grateful. But I'm left to wonder, hasn't God created me inn His likeness? Is not all which He is in me as well? The author of Hebrews spoke to this when writing of the Chief Priest Christ Jesus who has endured all which we have and more, yet without sin {To the Hebrews 4:14-15}. So, was Jesus ever tempted by lust as I've been? I can assume, according to scripture, that He has. Yet Jesus was able to endure these temptations without giving in to the sin of the flesh. Me? Not so much. While I did not give in physically to the thoughts I felt, the thought to do so was still there. My friend, perhaps knowing who it is that I truly am, reminded me of what I had forgotten. That the object of my attention was also a child of the living God.
So Elohim created humanity in His image; in the image of Elohim He created it: male and female He created them.
Genesis 1: 27, Concordant Old Testament
The reminder I received is that I don't hold a monopoly on being chosen by God. I do not hold a monopoly on being seen as His child. This person whom my thoughts were drawn to is also looked upon by the Father as being His. This realization is what made my thoughts that more troubling to me. If I were still in the mainstream church I might be recommended for a twelve step program or given a sermon on the evils of sin. Yet, I also am aware that I have been declared dead to sin {Paul to the Romans 6:11}. Paul posed the question if we should continue to sin since we are under the grace of the Father. His response? "May it not be coming to that!" {Paul to the Romans 6:15}. It is Jesus who became sin on our behalf {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}. That sin which others proclaim in us is dead and gone. What remains in us is Christ. THIS is who I am. Just as Jesus was tempted with all I have been, He was without sin. Rather than despair in regret over another failure in front of God, I rejoice in knowing that His grace gently reminds me of How He looks upon me. Not as a perpetual sinner, but as His loved child.
What then? Should we be sinning, seeing that we are not under law but under grace? May it not be coming to that!
Paul to the Romans 6: 15, Concordant New Testament
~Scott~
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