"High and Lifted Up" -2

"Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still, when God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah." (Psalms 76:8-9) To be completely honest, I might do better if I would get angry at my sin more often. We tend to not get rid of the sins we still like; so it's all about liking what God likes and hating what God hates. You do know that sin causes death, right? That was the whole point God was trying to make to Adam. God said, 'Adam, don't do that, because it will cause you to die!' But, did Adam listen? What frame of mind was Jesus in while he was praying in the garden? I am willing to bet that he was angry; angry for the devil trying to tempt him, angry for the weakness of his flesh, and angry because he needed to go through the next 24 hours. But what was his answer for all of these things? "Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done." He did not like it, but he loved the Father more! When you read about all the people who were killed and made an example of because of sin, you can get the feeling that sin is not something to be taken lightly; in fact, sin is something we need to be serious about, and we must remove it from our lives, at all cost! It's kind of like Jesus saying, "If you eye offend you, pluck it out.'' Not that he seriously meant for you to pluck out you eye, but he was making a point of us getting serious about not sinning. After all, he got serious about going to the cross, even though it was going to hurt, really really bad. How bad can it hurt to give up your sin? I am willing to bet, those two examples don't hardly compare...
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding the shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin." (Hebrews 12:1-4) NLT