"I have taken off my robe-
must I put it on again?"
Song of Solomon 5:3
She had just crawled under a puffy down quilt to escape the cold air - at least that's what I picture. Steadily drifting off to sleep, a knock on the door jolts her awake. "Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my flawless one." Wow. That's the right combination of words for a promising evening. But this isn't just any guy. This is the King of Kings! Jesus, the Bridegroom is knocking on her door with desperate love. He want to spend alone time with her. Will she share his longing? Not this time.
"Do I have to?" We're all guilty of this response. Jesus stands at the door of our hearts asking to come in and our response is often a grown. Do I have to read the Bible? Do I have to make time to pray? Do I have to ... not now. And we role over, convinced that he'll keep knocking.
Sin will do that to you.
In the midst of all the grace and mercy teaching, the church has developed an image of God that looks more like Santa Claus. With a little sweet-talkin' we can find the way to his soft side to avoid punishment. Somehow, we've convinsed ourselves that a little sin doesn't really matter to God and slowly, over time, a little sin has become a huge problem. The world looks at us with disgust because the gospel we preach is not the gospel we live.
When people don't connect with God because Christians are the stumbling block it is to our shame. "For it is time for judgement to begin with the house of God" (1 Peter 4:17). Brothers and sisters, the time for casual Christianity is over! We all need to do an inventory.
Galatians 5:19-21 lists the acts of sin we are to avoid.
Sexual immorality - this includes sleeping with someone who is not your spouse.
Impurity- crude jokes, foul language and taking the Lord's name in vain.
Debauchery - pornography falls in this category.
Idolatry - it shows up in your check book and your day planner.
Witchcraft - reading horoscopes and watching shows like "Psych"
Hatred - Let's see ... this includes all forms of racism and people you refuse to forgive.
Discord - Bashing ... basically any words that tear people down.
Jealousy - Anytime you have a hard time with seeing a competitor succeed.
Fits of Rage - Lack of self-control - irritable and easily angered.
Selfish Ambition - looking out for #1 at the expense of others.
Dissension - gossip that leads people to develop negative opinions about others.
Factions - taking sides and making sides happen - parents do this with their children.
Envy - resenting someone's gift or blessing.
Drunkenness- Drinking alcohol as a stress reducer or to have a good time.
Orgies - Patronizing any business that makes money from sex.
If you're guilty on any count, repent. Humble yourself and admit your sin to God. Or better yet, ask God to search your heart. Don't let your inner defender take the stand - he's such a lier. God will reveal the secret motivations of your heart. We cannot afford to hide behind a facade of righteousness. The world sees our hypocricy and people are ignoring the message of hope because of it.
Lethargic romance - eventually she does get up but he is no longer standing at the door. The Lover won't keep knocking. Dear ones, repent and God will come to you once again. The world longs to see love that is true and passionate - a divine embrace that, alone can satisfy. Get up!
"Do I have to?" We're all guilty of this response. Jesus stands at the door of our hearts asking to come in and our response is often a grown. Do I have to read the Bible? Do I have to make time to pray? Do I have to ... not now. And we role over, convinced that he'll keep knocking.
Sin will do that to you.
In the midst of all the grace and mercy teaching, the church has developed an image of God that looks more like Santa Claus. With a little sweet-talkin' we can find the way to his soft side to avoid punishment. Somehow, we've convinsed ourselves that a little sin doesn't really matter to God and slowly, over time, a little sin has become a huge problem. The world looks at us with disgust because the gospel we preach is not the gospel we live.
When people don't connect with God because Christians are the stumbling block it is to our shame. "For it is time for judgement to begin with the house of God" (1 Peter 4:17). Brothers and sisters, the time for casual Christianity is over! We all need to do an inventory.
Galatians 5:19-21 lists the acts of sin we are to avoid.
Sexual immorality - this includes sleeping with someone who is not your spouse.
Impurity- crude jokes, foul language and taking the Lord's name in vain.
Debauchery - pornography falls in this category.
Idolatry - it shows up in your check book and your day planner.
Witchcraft - reading horoscopes and watching shows like "Psych"
Hatred - Let's see ... this includes all forms of racism and people you refuse to forgive.
Discord - Bashing ... basically any words that tear people down.
Jealousy - Anytime you have a hard time with seeing a competitor succeed.
Fits of Rage - Lack of self-control - irritable and easily angered.
Selfish Ambition - looking out for #1 at the expense of others.
Dissension - gossip that leads people to develop negative opinions about others.
Factions - taking sides and making sides happen - parents do this with their children.
Envy - resenting someone's gift or blessing.
Drunkenness- Drinking alcohol as a stress reducer or to have a good time.
Orgies - Patronizing any business that makes money from sex.
If you're guilty on any count, repent. Humble yourself and admit your sin to God. Or better yet, ask God to search your heart. Don't let your inner defender take the stand - he's such a lier. God will reveal the secret motivations of your heart. We cannot afford to hide behind a facade of righteousness. The world sees our hypocricy and people are ignoring the message of hope because of it.
Lethargic romance - eventually she does get up but he is no longer standing at the door. The Lover won't keep knocking. Dear ones, repent and God will come to you once again. The world longs to see love that is true and passionate - a divine embrace that, alone can satisfy. Get up!
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