The Offer of God’s Compassion and Pardon is Real, Don’t Miss It!

WORD FROM THE CENTER: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2023

Welcome to “Word from The Center” MONDAY, a devotional word from the Center of our faith, Jesus Christ, with reflections on His Word. I’m Gregory Seltz. Today’s verses are from the Prophet Isaiah, chapter 55, verses 6-7, where he says,

Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.

THE OFFER OF GOD’S COMPASSION AND PARDON IS REAL, DON’T MISS IT!

Today many people are running around demanding apologies and retribution. It’s a very difficult time in our country because many don’t truly believe in “right and wrong” anymore, yet they are certain that their accusations against others are just. Even worse, most really have no idea as to what should be done to responsibly change things. Sinful people have a bad habit of pointing fingers at others and demanding that others change, as if their accusations against others somehow get them “off the hook.” Our text for today doesn’t let anyone get away with such things. In life, the main question is, “What does God think about our lives, according to His standards?” Then, when we fail to meet those standards, a follow up question asks, “Is there any hope?” Isaiah calls us all to account before the Lord in thought, word, and deed, and then invites us to return to God in repentance and faith. Real blessing only happens there. That’s the main question. That’s the main thing.

 

I was reminded about how destructive it can be when that “main question” is avoided. When I was in Germany several years ago, we had a young woman (not much more than 21) who led us through the Dachau death camp. It was a sobering experience. It’s hard to imagine how human beings could do such things. Unfortunately, sinful human history is littered with similar, sickening acts. Many Germans have had to struggle with the fact that such things happened in their midst. Many wondered how such things could have happened in a country that was so “progressive” intellectually and culturally at the time. How, indeed? But, sadly, what I learned that day at Dachau was that, instead of individually asking the main question of why so many of them had fallen away from God, many Germans preferred to find scapegoats, blaming the citizens who lived nearby the camp, projecting all that “sin” on to them. This young guide was one of those scapegoats. She wasn’t even born WHEN the atrocities happened, yet many Germans had “tarred and feathered” her merely because she was BORN THERE. They claimed, “It was the people of Dachau, you see, not us.” As a result, young people like this woman would be forced to live in shame so that others could go on their merry way. The problem? The main question still was unanswered.

 

We, as Americans, are dealing with many issues today, and the real problem is that we don’t see how far we’ve fallen away from the things of God, the moral truths of the Bible. Many think that politics can “save” us. Politics won’t save a people who feel no need to get right with God on His terms. Like Isaiah, Jesus reminds us of that urgency. Jesus declares that whoever hates his brother is a murderer (see Matthew 5:22) and adds, “Whoever looks lustfully at a woman has committed adultery in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). He concludes that in order to meet God’s standard, we are to “be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

 

When you begin to feel the real weight of your own sin before God, Isaiah invites us to “seek the Lord while He may be found.” Don’t give into the temptation to falsely cast your guilt on to another person. Don’t give in to the temptation to blame your parents, your teachers, or “the system.” Sin, your sin, is so much more than all of that, but forgiveness for your sin is the beginning of living a “free life” that no government can ever take away. When the crushing reality of your sin hits home, that’s the time to realize that God has a message for sinners like you and me. Realize that there is one who took away the crushing blow of your sin and mine as only He could. While it’s wrong to cast your guilt upon others, Jesus invites you to bring your sins to the cross, because He is your Savior. Isaiah tells us to seek the Lord. Jesus tells us to put our faith in Him (John 14:1).

 

I don’t know if we’re going to come out of the sin-denying, libertine malaise of today because I haven’t yet seen a “turning to God” moment. People aren’t asking, “What does the Bible say about things?” or, “What does God think about our lives, about my life?” Yet, amazingly, many of those same people are confident about other people’s sins, while remaining oblivious to their own. In the midst of this, take Isaiah’s advice, “Return to the Lord” and be honest before Him, “for he will abundantly pardon.” Then live lives of grace and truth towards others. That’s not just a start; that’s the only thing that will last.

 

PRAYER – Dear Lord, give us confidence to trust in Your “exposing” Word, as well as Your “saving” Word. Then give us courage to live lives graciously in Your name toward others. AMEN.  

 

Previous
Previous

Transgenderization Of Our Children….Who Has The Authority?

Next
Next

Re-Presenting Dr. Walter A. Maier’s 1941 message, ‘God is Our Defense’ Part 2