TITLE: A Symphony of Miracles Chapter 32 U-Turn By Richard McCaw 04/02/14 |
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Chapter 32
U-Turn
Without a doubt, judgment is set against sinners who persist in the path of sin and refuse to turn from their sinful ways and to follow the Lord.
On a certain occasion, while great crowds were almost crushing each other to hear the teaching of the new rabbi, Jesus, some came to Him and told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
But Jesus answered them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish! Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish!”
Perhaps you have not heard what happened to King Herod, whose arrogance corrupted him, how on a set day, arrayed in royal apparel, he sat on his throne and gave a great speech. When the people heard it, they began shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.
Obviously, God does not compromise with sin. He uses no fancy words for the awfulness of sin that sent His Son, Jesus Christ to bear the punishment for a world gone completely astray from Him. Judgment is set. Sinners must face their guilt, turn from sin and turn away from sin and turn completely around in order to serve God!
When Gideon became judge of Israel, God challenged him to deliver Israel from marauding Ishmaelites. One of his first duties was to destroy the altar of Baal that existed in his own home, even though his own father had allowed such a monstrosity. He built an altar to the Lord and called it ‘Jehovah-Shalom,’ which means “Jehovah is, or sends peace.”
However, that was not all, for God demanded a complete turn around from the sin of idolatry, “Take your father’s young bull, the second bull of seven years old, and tear down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the wooden image that is beside it!” Israel could not be delivered from their enemies until Gideon had destroyed the idolatrous worship in his own home.
Because Gideon completed that transaction, the payment of a debt to God, it satisfied the just demands of a righteous God. Similarly, when we accept Christ as Lord and Savior, we must completely reject every other idol in our lives, that takes the center of interest more than the Holy One of Israel. Whenever guilt and condemnation assail us, we will be confident that “there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”
When Jesus Christ shouted triumphantly on the cross, “It is finished!” He had in fact completed the payment of our debt to Almighty God. He had satisfied the just requirements of God’s eternal law that demands punishment for our sin of Christ-rejection. The completion of that transaction reconciles us, and brings us into a right relationship of peace with God as our loving Heavenly Father, so that we are no longer His enemies. This is the greatest miracle of the ages, that a sinner, lost, confused and on the road to destruction can be delivered from the control of the enemy of all souls, Satan, and be led to walk on the road to life eternal with Jesus Christ.
Paul, the apostle, refers to Jesus Christ, the Messiah, when he says: “He is our Peace!” Christ has broken down the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile, and has torn down the veil that separated man from God. Now, we can boldly come into His presence and find grace in every moment of need.
Peace can be the constant experience and ruling factor in our lives!
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