This morning I was walking in a construction zone. A semi-truck was coming in my direction. Immediately, my mind went into safety mode. This semi was right on the edge of the road going on a curve. I thought that truck could flip over if it slipped off the embankment. So, I positioned myself in a place of safety.
I thought to myself, why do I always think of safety? I don’t live in fear. Then, my mind was taken back to the days of being in the military as a tank mechanic. One of the first things I was taught was to respect those things that can kill you. Never become comfortable with them. They shared a story with me. There were two tanks parked nose to nose. They were trying to get one started. A soldier was standing between the two tanks. Then one tank accidentally went into gear and leaped forward crushing the man. They decided that when they pulled the tanks apart, he would die. So, they called his family to the motor pool to say their goodbyes.
I know this is a very sad story, but it has put a lifetime impression in my mind. I was taught at a young age to have respect for those things that can kill you. I have always been cautious my whole adult life. Again, it’s not that I live in fear. I enjoy life so much that I will not put myself in harm's way by not considering proper safety measures.
That brings me to the point of my post. We can easily see that a tank can kill us. People know of the dangers with possible electrocution. People flee to safety when a tornado is coming. If you heard shooting in a department store; more than likely, you would take cover.
Remember, I was told to never become comfortable with those things that can kill you! Always proceed with caution. Why? Cause you can literally sear your conscience of the dangers to where you never think about it. You will overlook any forms of safety precautions and in time, you can find yourself in a life-threatening situation or ultimately, death.
That brings me to the point of my post. We can easily see that a tank can kill us. People know of the dangers with possible electrocution. People flee to safety when a tornado is coming. If you heard shooting in a department store; more than likely, you would take cover.
Remember, I was told to never become comfortable with those things that can kill you! Always proceed with caution. Why? Cause you can literally sear your conscience of the dangers to where you never think about it. You will overlook any forms of safety precautions and in time, you can find yourself in a life-threatening situation or ultimately, death.
As a new believer in Christ, we are washed of the prior sins. Immediately, we feel the results of being cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Overwhelmingly, we sense the new creature in Christ we have become. The newness plunges us into a life of holiness. We dare not want to offend our Father God. We consider our actions and how we treat others. I can remember when I first gave my life to Christ. I was going down the road in my car, and a guy flipped me off. I pursued him in traffic; I was going to give him a little dose of me. Then the Holy Spirit said to me, “What are you doing? This is not what a believer in Christ should be doing.” Needless to say, I stopped chasing him and continued back on my planned route. See, as soon as I became a believer, God was working in my life.
The problem is, at first, we are ultrasensitive to the sin in our life. We continually guard ourselves, being cautious of our attitudes, thoughts, and actions. BUT, if we don’t take the same position as we do when we are around danger situations or equipment, we can find ourselves is a place of spiritual harm or danger. Slowly, we are searing our hearts of that sensitivity. Soon, enough is never enough. Boundaries are being crossed. Places you once wouldn’t go; now, there is no harm in it. The things you once would never say; they flow out of the mouth.
The Bible says, “The wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23) Oh, Shawn, come on, the Lord forgives us. He can’t see our sin, we are forgiven of past, present, and future sins. It doesn’t matter to God, we all sin! Really? Let’s see what Paul has to say about it:
The Bible says, “The wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23) Oh, Shawn, come on, the Lord forgives us. He can’t see our sin, we are forgiven of past, present, and future sins. It doesn’t matter to God, we all sin! Really? Let’s see what Paul has to say about it:
| Romans 6:1-6 (KJV) 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so, we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. |
To sum it up, you have been crucified with Christ and raised to a newness of life in him. The old man has been put to death. We are to live a new life in the likeness of him! Sin has been destroyed in our lives! We are not to serve sin! Give no room for it! Does it happen? Yes! But when you are willfully sinning with no concern in your heart, then I would say you are on dangerous grounds. Your heart has been seared and you need to run back to your Savior to have a renewal take place in your life. It’s not a matter of condemnation, it’s a matter just doing a reset back to default settings of our Christian walk. Having the newness and freshness take place. Once again, establishing the proper boundaries back in our life. Then ultimately, removing the callus from our hearts and being free from sin!
I pray you enjoyed this article and it brings you freedom in Christ. The Bible says to "let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1) If there is anything in your life holding you back from God's best, let it go! Let us run together, the race that he has for us!
Blessings!
Shawn Paul
Missionary to Honduras
Blessings!
Shawn Paul
Missionary to Honduras
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