"Recognition" -2

"Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine; and the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself." (Psalms 80:14-15) Yesterday I heard a quote from Charles Spurgeon that pretty much hit the nail on the head, it was something like this: "It's a good thing that God chose me before I was born, because he surely would not have afterwards." That's pretty much what grace is all about. We don't deserve God's grace; and we surely could never earn it! It's not really true, the point about "it is a good thing," Spurgeon was just making a point. God knew us before we were born, everything about us; including that sin from yesterday, and that sin from tomorrow. I think that we could do so much more for the Lord, if we could just settle that point in our hearts. Instead, we let our weaknesses get in the way of God's greatness. Does that mean it's okay for us to sin? No! Sin equals death, in one way or another, there will be death as a result of sin! I know we can't see that, because there are so many different elements and dimensions to life, beyond just physical. When we step outside of God's perfect will, it's hard to say what might have happened otherwise, or what could result from just a single misstep or failure. We don't have a clue! One missed opportunity, or one casual sin, that's all it could take to set off a chain reaction of events in more lives that we could ever imagine. Can't see it? Well guess what, God does! Tell me that does not blow your mind! Getting back to a point I made earlier, in that we have no rights; we really don't have any right to complain, and we surely don't have any right to expect anything; all rights belong to Jesus! He is Creator and Redeemer, which means that He created us and He also redeemed us, so what right do we have, except to trust in Him...
"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 its 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. And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, "My child, don't make light of the LORD'S discipline, and don't give up when he corrects you. For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child."" (Hebrews 12:1-6) NLT