“FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART” February 21, 2019

 

There are some things that are viewed as inescapable. In America, it is often joked that no one can escape death and taxes. That is only partially true, since there are several who avoid paying taxes by illegal means and loop holes in the system. Death on the other hand is something everyone will eventually have to encounter during their life. Interestingly enough, though, there are two people recorded in Scripture that have even evaded the reality of death. They are Enoch (Genesis 5:21-24) and the Prophet Elijah (2 Kings 2:10-11). There is literally only one thing that is unavoidable in all of creation. No matter what you believe or do or think, everyone, without exception, will deal with the One true Living God who created all things. Those who rebel and want nothing to do with the God who is proclaimed in the Bible will find it impossible to escape His judgment and eternal damnation. The Prophet Amos was told to record this truth by God when Amos wrote,

 

“I saw the Lord standing by the altar, and He said: “Strike the doorposts, that the thresholds may shake, And break them on the heads of them all. I will slay the last of them with the sword. He who flees from them shall not get away, And he who escapes from them shall not be delivered. 2 “Though they dig into hell, From there My hand shall take them; Though they climb up to heaven, From there I will bring them down; 3 And though they hide themselves on top of Carmel, From there I will search and take them; Though they hide from My sight at the bottom of the sea, From there I will command the serpent, and it shall bite them; 4 Though they go into captivity before their enemies, From there I will command the sword, And it shall slay them. I will set My eyes on them for harm and not for good.” (Amos 9:1-4, NKJV)

 

There is no way of escaping the God of the universe. Therefore, people must decide how they want to deal with Him now as opposed to later. If a person waits to deal with God in procrastination or simple avoidance, they will know His wrath for all eternity. Those who choose to deal with God now can receive freedom from God’s wrath and judgment to enjoy the benefits of His love and grace by admitting their sin and seeking redemption from God’s wrath through the sacrifice of Jesus, the Son of God, on their behalf. It really is that simple. After all we are nothing more than “puffed up dirt” according to a good pastoral friend of mine, which means God already knows how weak and frail we actually are and will make things simple (Genesis 2:7; Psalm 103:13-14). God created all things which make all things answerable to Him as the Owner. This includes every person who has ever lived in the past, is currently living now, and will live in the future. The only real question that each person must answer is: When do I want to encounter God? It is not a matter of if, but when.

 

Praying beyond the physical: Father, thank You for helping me understand that now is the best time to deal with You while there is hope. Jesus, I rejoice in Your death and resurrection on my behalf so that my sins are atoned for by You and not me. Spirit, thank You for Your presence guaranteeing that I am forgiven in Christ and bound to be with the Father. Pastor Tom