Run For Your Life

 

There is an old fable about a dog that boasted of his ability as a runner. One day he chased a rabbit but failed to catch it. The other dogs ridiculed him. He retorted, “Remember, the rabbit was running for his life, but I was only running for the fun of it.” People play games for fun. In fact, the basic reason or playing them is just that, fun and amusement. Too many times we find that Christians are just playing the game and are not really serious about their soul’s salvation. Christianity is a game of life – eternal life. If we play it like a game, however, we will find ourselves losing – just like the dog that was running for the fun of it. The road to forever is not a game we can afford to lose.

A mother of one of Napoleon’s men was pleading for the life of her son who had deserted his post. It was a heartfelt plea. “Please spare my son,” she begged. Napoleon replied, “If justice is to be met, he must hang!” “But sir,” she pleaded, “I’m not asking for justice, I’m begging for mercy!” Every single one of us must be eager to cast ourselves at the mercy seat of the Almighty. None of us deserves the marvelous grace of God extended to us. We have been carnal, and selfish, and sinful, and obnoxious, and imperfect. So, we have been given a Savior who pleads our case before the Father of lights. “…I write this to you so you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2).

[Acts 2:40] With many other words he (Peter) warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” In a period of loose, sagging morals, Satan provides many rationalizations for improper behavior. Those who would live faithful Christian lives must not be “…unaware of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11). * Wrong is Wrong even if one doesn’t get caught. The honorable purpose does not justify the dishonorable deed or action. The end never does justify the means. “…sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). * Wrong is Wrong even if others are doing worse things. It will be little comfort to you on the day of judgment, if you should be lost, that others you knew did things which you considered to be worse than your own sins. * Wrong is Wrong even if it doesn’t bother your conscience. The conscience can be trained or educated to accept wrongdoing, but even an honest sin or evil done in sincerity is still sinful in the sight of our holy God. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7). * Wrong is Wrong even if it is commonly considered acceptable. “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd…” (Exodus 23:2). The Christian should, “Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not walk on it; turn from it and go on your way” (Proverbs 4:15-14). “Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil” (1 Thessalonians 21-21). * Wrong is Wrong even if you did not know it was wrong or believe it not to be wrong at the time the act was done. Leviticus chapters four and five deal with what is called “unintentional” sins (NIV); (“unwitting” sins – American Standard Version); “If a soul shall sin through ignorance… (King James Version) (Leviticus 4:2). Peter, in teaching the Jews on Solomon’s porch about the death of Christ stated, “…I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. Repent, then, and return to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:17-19).