In This Issue:
It Will Turn Up
No Matter What They Decide
How to be Forgiven
Volume: 817 July 5, 2021
Theme: Sin
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It Will Turn Up
Bill Brinkworth
Twenty years previously, Aaron Giles lost a small identity bracelet he was wearing. He was about five years old and was never sure where he lost it. Aaron believes he lost it when he was playing at his grandfather’s farm in Fairmont, Minnesota.
A lot of time has gone by since, and his grandfather’s farm is no longer standing. How surprised he was when the piece of jewelry was returned to him. It was found by a meat cutter, who found it when removing a chicken’s gizzard. The object was in good condition, and the name was still legible. It was believed the animal came from a farm near where the boy had lost it 20 years previously. It was there the fowl swallowed the shiny object.
Many times, deeds done a long time ago rear their reminding head. If it was a good deed, and we are reminded of it, we smile and remember happily. If, however, the deed was something we are now ashamed of ever having done, we cringe at the remembrance that we were the ones who did the shameful act.
Again and again, crimes that were done a long time ago come under re-investigation. Surprised are the villains when the law arrives at their door to arrest them for a crime that they may have even forgotten they had done.
Adulterous acts have often been revealed to spouses many years after the sin was committed. Government officials running for office have had to resign from their race for office after it was discovered that they had cheated on a long-past college exam. People have been rejected from getting jobs because of the discovery of their criminal activity many years before.
Like Mr. Gile’s bracelet recovery, the wages and the public exposure of sin can occur long after the act was done or performed. There is a principle taught in the Bible about iniquity. It is that no one gets away without paying a price tag for their transgressions. The act may have been done in secret, but it will not always be hidden. As Moses reminded His people, “… be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).
Many suffer in this life from a payday of sin long after the deed was committed. Adulterers often pay for their trespass by eventually losing their families. Thieves’ salaries for their sin are often paid by jail time. Liars pay time and a half for their dishonesty by separation from friends that no longer trust them. All, if unsaved and not receiving Jesus’ death as payment for their sin, will suffer in a dark, lonely, painful, eternal Hell.
God wants no one to suffer the after-shocks of sin. That is why His desire is for us to keep far from the damaging grasps of iniquity. No matter who you are, your sin may be revealed – somewhere, sometime. Its embarrassing reminder can turn up.
“Sin may open bright as the morning, but it will end dark as night.”
– Talmage
No Matter What They Decide
Bill Brinkworth
Before Joshua’s death, the leader gathered the people of Israel together. He reminded them of all the great and mighty things God had done for them and their fathers. Joshua rehearsed how God took, gave, sent, plagued, brought, put, destroyed, and delivered for them in over 17 instances (Joshua 24:3-13).
Joshua also rehearsed all the failures of His people. He reminded them how they continued to backslide from God and repeatedly had to be saved from the consequences of their poor choices. Many of God’s rescues were because the people had not learned their lesson and were still of two beliefs.
Sometimes they served God, and other times they served the losing side and its false gods. Trying to live for God was a constant struggle for them. Their minds were not completely made up, or they would not have had made the same mistakes repeatedly.
No matter what Israel’s loyalty to God was, it was not a hard decision for Joshua. The leader’s mind was made up. He had previously decided who His God was and that he would be faithful in obedience to Him. It was no longer a struggle for Joshua to know whom he would serve.
“Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:14-15
Israel’s leader used interesting terms in describing many of the people’s desire not to serve God. He used: “… if it seem evil.” This wording indicated that some people thought that serving their Creator and Protector was physically, socially, or morally bad for them. This thinking is not unlike the thoughts of many today. Too many think serving God and obeying His commandments, as recorded in the Bible, is unprofitable to them because:
- They think they will miss all the “fun” if they follow God’s commandments. Sin is only “fun” for a short time, however. It usually has regrettable consequences that come at a later time. Iniquity never gives genuine joy, only temporary satisfaction.
“Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;” Hebrews 11:25.
- They do not know that there is a price tag for sin. No one gets away with sin.
“ He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverb 28:13
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
- His way is not the world’s way. By following His way, they will appear different from others. It is often more important to some to be like everyone else rather than pleasing God.
Yes, God’s way is different. Yes, you will not fit in if you are obedient to God, but why do you want to be like the losing side, anyway? God’s way is always better. He has raised billions of children, and Father knows best.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9
- They only see the now and forget the eternal. There is life after death. There is an eternity in either Heaven or Hell. What sense is there in missing an eternity in Heaven for temporary satisfaction for a relatively short time here on Earth?
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36
The world’s reasons for not serving God are not much different than those of Joshua’s day. The excuses come from the same rebellious and disobedient heart. No matter the time, the answer to God can be the same as Joshua’s: “… but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15. No matter what others think or do, we can always be different and do right!
“Sin and dandelions are a lot alike; they’re a lifetime battle to control that you never quite win.” —White
How to be Forgiven
- Know all have sinned — including you.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23 - Know that eventually there is a cost for your sin that has to be paid.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 - Know that the price for your sin has already been paid — no matter what you have done.
“ But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 - Know that you can apply Jesus’ payment to your sin account and have ALL your sins forgiven. You can have God’s promise of Heaven!
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9 (“Confessing” is admitting your faults to God in prayer).
“God hates the sin, but He loves the sinner.” — D. L. Moody