Caution!
What do you get when you put together an old arena, the Kingston fall fair, and a rainy day? If you were at the exhibition on Friday, or have ever been there in years past on a rainy day, you know the answer - leaks!
Specifically this year, a leak coming through the roof, into the upper level corridor, down the structure beams, and into the area next to our booth. Fortunately, our equipment was fine, but throughout the day, a staff member had to repeatedly mop the area to keep the water from pooling. As a result, a "CAUTION" sign was placed directly in front of our booth.
The sign warned people about the danger of slipping on the water and falling. For your safety, be alert, be aware, walk carefully. What's so interesting about that? Our booth also was there to caution people; not about a bit of water on the floor, but about eternal matters.
Falling In Sin
One of our neighbouring venders, an advocate for Osteoporosis Canada was vitally concerned that someone might slip and fall in the water and fracture a bone. Friend, do you realize that EVERYONE has slipped and fallen into sin? The consequence is not a broken bone, a bruised behind, or mere embarrassment, but death. Paul revealed that "...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), and again, "...the wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23). How much more concerned ought folks be of the danger of sin?
Bones will heal, bruises will fade away, embarrassing moments will be forgotten, but the stain of sin remains. Time will not free us of the penalty of death. Mended ways will not purge our sins from the Lord's memory. We have our reward - spiritual death, spending eternity out of the presence of God.
A Saviour's Touch
In the same book of Romans, the inspired writer gave hope:
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a godo man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)
“...everyone has slipped and fallen into sin.”
What a glorious blessing! Unable to do anything ourselves to avoid the awful consequence of sin - God sent Jesus to meet the need. Isaiah says:
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When you make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. (Isaiah 53:10
Walk Carefully
When we have turned to the Lord in faith and obedience, we must then be careful how we walk. By His shed blood, he provides forgiveness; cleansing us of our old sins. But, we cannot simply continue to walk in our old way. Once more, hear the apostle Paul:
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? (Romans 6:1-2)
We must walk carefully, in wisdom (Colossians 4:5; Ephesians 5:15-16). We are to "walk worthy of the calling" (Ephesians 4:1). Our calling is to "...walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us..." (Ephesians 5:2). We must "...not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1). Our course is to be a "...walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7).
The saddest thing is, many do not heed God's warning. They do not consider the dangers of sin, but rather are trapped in the enjoyment of the "...passing pleasures of sin..." (Hebrews 11:25). Many are those who pass by, not even seeing the "CAUTION" which is laid before them. What a sad situation!
As we close, consider the words of the Psalmist:
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. (Psalm 84:10)
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Answering The Atheist
The Atheist's Complaint:
Should Christians be concerned about material wealth? Matthew 6:31,34 says no, that Christians should "...take no thought..." to such things, but 1 Timothy 5:8 reveals that yes, this is a concern, for one must provide for his own house. Is there a contradiction?
Response:
The questioner seems to have taken the clause "...take no thought..." to mean that a Christian should not focus at all on the things of a material nature. Jesus' admonition is not that we should never think about material needs, but that we should not be worried or anxious about them.
The Greek word merimnao is used here, which Strong's defines as "to be anxious about : - (be, have) care(-ful), take thought". We should not worry about material wealth, for God's promise is that He knows our needs and will supply (Matthew 6:25-34).
This same phrase is translated in the following different ways:
- "be not anxious" (ASV)
- "do not be full of care" (BBE)
- "do not worry" (NKJV)
- "do not be anxious" (RSV)
- "not be anxious" (YLT)
- "do not worry" (NIV)
The fact that one is not to worry about material wealth does not nullify our responsibility to provide for our families. Paul identifies the one who will not provide for his family as worse than an infidel. If we will be diligent workers (Proverbs 28:19) and trust in God's care (Matthew 6:25-34), our family will be provided for. There is no need to worry or be anxious, just to obey the Lord's commandments.
There is no contradiction.
This article is in response to Skeptic's Annotated Bible.