The Human Condition
"...one of you will betray me."~ Jesus [Matthew 26:21]
I've been betrayed, many times. You probably have been too. Betrayal sucks, especially when it comes from someone that you have given your trust to, placed your confidence in or become accountable with.
"...woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”[Matthew 26:24]
When Jesus called out Judas as his betrayer he had a choice. Or did he? John 13:27 says that once Judas acknowledged that he, in fact, was the one who would betray Jesus "Satan entered into him."
I am always intrigued by the stupid decisions we make as humans - choices that open us up to the schemes and plans of the enemy. In another gospel account Jesus has just healed a leaper and "strongly commanded" the man not to tell anyone [Mark 1:43-44].
"INSTEAD he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news." [v.45]
The healed leper made a choice to disobey Christ's warning. His decision shows me how vulnerable we are as humans to make bad choices. Choices that have consequences for us and those around us. Thank goodness that God sent His Holy Spirit to be our guide and companion along the way.
"...if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve."[Joshua 24:15a]
Elizabeth Naeckel wrote a song called Then There's You that came to mind today:
When you've done all you can, and there's nothing left to say
When your hearts a wreck, your mind still can't comprehend
Sometimes we can't fathom, the mistakes we make
Sometimes we can't help, the pain others create
Then there's you, that's where you come in
I give you my heart, and you mend it again
Then there's you, that's where you come in
You bind up my wounds to make me strong again
In Deuteronomy 30 God says to us, "I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction..." [v.15]. If we choose to love God, walk in obedience and keep His commands we will "live and increase" [v.16]. OR... we can turn away from God and not obey Him and "certainly be destroyed" [v.18].
"Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life..."[Deuteronomy 30:19-20]
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on Sunday, July 13, 2014 at 12:52 PM.
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