The Hard Stuff

I started reading 1 Timothy this morning. I want to share what touched me today.

Let me back up a step, though, and tell you that I have been listening to my CD's from 2011 ACFW Conference and one of the prevalent things spoken about is RULES. You have to learn to follow the writing rules before you're allowed to break them.

This morning when I read verses 8-11 (NLT), "We know that the law is good when used correctly. For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders {kidnappers}, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God."

I shrugged and thought, "Yeah, the law is for the lawbreakers." My mind was on physical laws - speed limits, etc. Then I read it again because it kept gnawing at me.

"The law is for...liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God."


Who among us hasn't opened our mouths and spoken untruths?

• "That dress is lovely."
• "I love your hair."
• "No, dear, that outfit doesn't make you look fat." LOL
• "Santa will be hear soon. Time for bed."  OH!
• "I'll do whatever--take out the trash, fix dinner, feed the dog in a minute."

We're like the tree in the picture. We are dead in our sins without Jesus.

But then Paul goes on and tells Timothy something else in verses 15-16, "This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners' --and I am the worst of them all. BUT GOD had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life."[emphasis mine]

BUT GOD--such an awesome set of words. Because of Christ's sacrifice, assuming we accept Him as our Savior, we--you and I--have the opportunity to grow and be rivers of living water for a dry and thirsty land.

Think about it. Pray about it. What is God asking you to do?

Blessings,
Ginger