In his past, this man was a devout church going man who loved his God and without a doubt to him, or anyone else, he was headed on the road to heaven. But sin has taken a hold of him and now his walk with God has taken a detour. What does this mean for his future?
What do detours mean for any of us, or our futures? Yes this man seems to have turned from God because his sins are out in plain sight, but what about our quiet, secret detours? The ones we think or do in private. The ones that seem so small and insignificant. What do they do for our future? What do they mean for us as children in the family of God?
Christ knew when He walked this earth that this would be a question that would travel down the course of time. Can our sins take away our secure future?
I think he spoke of this in John 10 as He talked about the lost sheep.....
John 10:9-10
New International Version (NIV)
9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:27-30
New International Version (NIV)
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[c]; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”In my own thoughts, I believe He is saying here that even though we stray at times, He will always be there to bring us back into the safe fold of His love. Nothing can take us away from Him. Eternal security is a gift from our God.
In Romans, Paul tells of his belief in this promise as well.....
Romans 8:37-39
New International Version (NIV)
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Jesus spoke of us having sin in our lives, every day, as He taught us how to pray in Matthew 6. We call this The Lord's Prayer....
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
Here, He is reminding us that everyday we need to forgive and be forgiven. In His way I think He is also reminding us that God has the power to always be there for us. Even if we have done things that make us feel like we are undeserving.
I guess that really it is not up to us to judge where any of us are headed as our lives come to an end on this earth. This is hard not to do because we are so close to some. Each of us have a personal relationship with our heavenly father that is between He and us. All we are told to do is to forgive and love.
It is nice to know, though, that the one thing we do not have to worry about is God and His love. He will never leave us to the wolves of this earth. It is nice to know that even though Satan would love to have the power to take us away from our God, that is something that cannot be done!!! Our future is totally secure!!
Maybe as we pray today, we need to be sure to thank God for this wonderful gift, and know that as we ask for forgiveness and as we forgive others, that that is one less thing to worry about as we live in this very human and sinful world!
Blessings!
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