The Wrong Places

TITLE: The Wrong Places
DATE:  September 8, 2019
TEXT: Titus 3:5 – ESV - He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.

A few weeks ago, a prominent young Christian pastor, and songwriter, confessed he was losing, or had already lost, his faith. He listed some of the causes... some of the problems which he says the church avoids. Today we come to the end of our talk about these stumbling blocks. We do so with the prayer that all those who are searching may be touched by the Holy Spirit and find peace in the Lamb of God Who takes away the world’s sins. So, here we go....our Pastor says.....
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• Christians can be the most judgmental people on the planet – they can also be some of the most beautiful and loving people… but it’s not for me.”

What you find is often determined by what you are looking for and where you do your looking. That is a truth our young pastor should learn. I say that, because in the last week he has been saddened by the things he has found.. He’s been disappointed because he’s been looking in all the wrong places.

It is no different with today’s challenge. He is looking to find spiritual satisfaction among believers and not at the foot of the cross. To do that is to guarantee a great letdown.  

Let me explain. Once, a long time ago, I tried to find how many characters in the Bible are shown without a significant sin or serious flaw. Now this wasn’t a thorough scientific study...it was just me going through my list of Biblical personages.

Would you like to see my list? Here it is:

1.  Jonathan the friend of David. 

That’s it. Across the board this fellow was stellar... even showing his willingness to set aside the crown so the Lord’s selection could become ruler. Everybody else I could think of had a flaw.

And it is no different today.

The church is composed completely of people who have flaws. If you want to look for goodness and perfection, don’t look among us. Among us all you will find are sins and shortcomings. We are a goodly cross section of  the sinful and lost world,
With one exception:. We are forgiven, which means we are saved.

The Holy Spirit has called us, given us faith, removed our sin and saved our souls. Faith given in  the Savior has changed us, changed our future and present.

Which is where the young pastor would probably ask... ‘IF JESUS IS SO SPECIAL, AND THE CHANGE He has brought about is so profound why don’t  we see people showing those changes in their lives. ?

Yes, you should... and you do.... those are some of the wonderful people you mention....and in regard to the others... imagine how THEY were before they met the Savior. Pretty frightening.

No, if you’re going to see what you need to see in Christianity, I encourage all to look to the stable the cross and the empty tomb. That’s where forgiveness and salvation are.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, for the times I have not shown the importance of Jesus in my life, I ask forgiveness. Now may I show my gratitude by sharing His Name and living in a way which pleases Him. In His Name I pray. Amen.

The devotion for today was inspired by various recent news articles. For further reading you may wish to go to this address: https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/michael-foust/hillsong-s-marty-sampson-i-m-genuinely-losing-my-faith.html and the article written by Michael Foust .
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html