~ 3 Differing Responses ~
What Have I Done? ~ “The Lord told
me to say to his people, ‘When someone falls down, doesn't he get back up? If
someone misses the road, doesn't he turn back? Why then, my people, do you turn
away from me without ever turning back? You cling to your idols and refuse to
return to me. I listened carefully, but you did not speak the truth. Not one of
you has been sorry for his wickedness; not one of you has asked, “What have I done wrong?” Everyone keeps
on going his own way, like a horse rushing into battle. Even storks know when
it is time to return; doves, swallows, and thrushes know when it is time to
migrate. But, my people, you do not know the laws by which I rule you. How can
you say that you are wise and that you know my laws? Look, the laws have been
changed by dishonest scribes. Your wise men are put to shame; they are confused
and trapped. They have rejected my words; what wisdom do they have now? So I
will give their fields to new owners and their wives to other men. Everyone,
great and small, tries to make money dishonestly. Even prophets and priests
cheat the people. They act as if my people's wounds were only scratches. 'All
is well,' they say, when all is not well. My people, were you ashamed because
you did these disgusting things? No, you were not ashamed at all; you don't
even know how to blush! And so you will fall as others have fallen; when I
punish you, that will be the end of you. I, the Lord,
have spoken’” (Jeremiah 8:4-12 Today’s English Version). The sad
thing about this Biblical account is that the question, “What have I done
wrong?” was asked by a careless sinner—one
who had an incorrect response.
What Must I Do?
~ “But
at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the
prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so
that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors
were opened and everyone's chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison,
awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners
had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a
loud voice, saying, ‘Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.’ Then he called
for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he
brought them out and said, ‘Sirs, what
must I do to be saved?’ So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and you will be saved, you and your household.’ Then they spoke the word of the
Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of
the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were
baptized. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them;
and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household” (Acts 16:25-34). In this case an inquiring and anxious sinner is the one who asks the question. After hearing the
answer he responded correctly.
What Shall I Do?
~ “Now
at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one
prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner
called Barabbas. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to
them, ‘Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called
Christ?’ For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy. While he
was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, ‘Have nothing
to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream
because of Him.’ But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that
they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said
to them, ‘Which of the two do you want me to release to you?’ They said, ‘Barabbas!’ Pilate said to them, ‘What shall I do with Jesus who is called
Christ?’ They all said to him, ‘Let Him be crucified!’ Then the governor said,
‘Why, what evil has He done?’ But they cried out all the more, saying, ‘Let Him
be crucified!’ When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather
that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the
multitude, saying, ‘I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to
it.’ And all the people answered and said, ‘His blood be on us and on our
children.’” (Matthew 27:15-25). In this case we
have the easily persuaded or undecided
sinner. As in many situations, the lack of a clear decision is a wrong response.
The bottom-line: With regard to life’s critical questions,
have you answered incorrectly, correctly, or are you still undecided?
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
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