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Why do I need salvation? I'm no worse than other people! Over the years we all pick up on certain things that stick with us and become our bottom line for dealing with life. We all have things we believe in because they have been proven to work over and over again. These are the things we use to get us through the times when we don't know quite how to handle something. Years ago, someone told me "when you're waist deep in alligators, it's hard to remember your initial objective was to drain the swamp". I've found that to be true many times. As we grow up we get in with people who seem to accept us without judging us and we like that. We ask them for advice and look to them for approval. The problem is they are usually as messed up as we are! It doesn't take long for all of us to fall into the same hole together. After awhile when things aren't working like we expected, we start thinking "that's just how life is". We begin to accept failures and disappointments as if there is nothing anyone can do about it. Things can get really discouraging! At about this point we really know in our own hearts something needs fixing. Something inside us, I can't really explain what, begins to realize something has to change. Not because somebody says so, but because something isn't right inside. The same old tired "fixes" just don't cut it any more, there HAS to be something better. Some people try on a new relationship, job or lifestyle. This helps us ignore the problem for awhile and depending on how obsessive we are it may last several years. Eventually we find ourselves right back where we started, nothing has really changed, we just have a new set of frustrations and less energy to deal with them. Sometimes we just need a ";reality check" to help get our minds clear so we can make sound decisions. The truth is there is an absolute bottom line in life and once we find it we are able to deal with everything from a completely new, immensely powerful perspective. In plain language, there are choices that bring life and choices that bring death. There is only one person who knows all the secrets to living successfully and peacefully. He is the only one ever to live a perfect life and after dying for all our sins, be raised to life again physically to administer His own last will and testament. His name is Jesus Christ. If you have a problem with the concept of sin, look at it this way: "There is that which is God and there is that which is not God." Whenever we choose God's will and ways we choose what leads to life and peace. Whenever we choose anything else, we choose what slowly and inexorably steals our life, sentencing us to eternal punishment. "The soul that sins, it shall die" is a chilling statement from God's word warning us to choose Life. We are told "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". Because of our messed up reasoning and experience we always take that as some angry, resentful, hateful ogre relishing the thought of destroying us. The truth is, this is the anguished cry of a loving Heavenly Father Who is trying to warn us of imminent destruction and tell us how to come safely to Him instead. Whatever you are going through, no matter how alone you may feel, there is always Someone (God) Who loves you and will never walk away from you. All you need to do is let Him in and ask Him for help. He never says no to those who ask for something good once we become His children. I'm not telling you life will suddenly be a bed of roses, but it will be a lot more peaceful and you'll have the help of Almighty God in facing and handling everything in life. The world is still a messed up place but we don't have to be controlled by that any longer. As I have studied God's word (the Bible) I discovered something I'll never forget, "We love Him because He first loved us!" He loves us, not because of who we are, but because of Who He is, when we realize this we can't help but love Him in return. That means no matter how much I mess up, it doesn't change how He feels about me. As any loving, responsible father, God will discipline His children but only and always for our good to teach us "not to play on the railroad track". If you are aware of that "stirring" inside you that is telling you something needs fixing, click here for help in making the most important decision of your life! Please don't delay this step, it really is a matter of life and death! Return to the Threshing Floor Ministries Home Page Copyright ©1996-2008 Daniel R. Milburn, All rights reserved |
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