The Church of God has always suffered the plague of those who would change God’s Word in order to placate our sinful thoughts and desires. Indeed, that desire lives deep within each and every one of our own hearts. The sinful flesh is always at war with the Holy Spirit trying to justify sin and live as the rest of the world lives. And while the Lord hates sin, He shows His great power in this – freely forgiving the guilt of those who repent of their sins and seek His mercy. It is the fervent desire of Almighty God that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. He declares this great good news to the ends of the earth so that all might hear of the atoning death of Jesus and the salvation that He has won. We see this desire on display as Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, the city of peace, who had rejected the prophets and would soon crucify the Lord who had led them out of bondage in Egypt. So fervent was God’s desire that His children live! But, they would not. Would we? Having heard the way of salvation will we turn away from it? Will we seek after another god of our own making? Will we simply each turn to his own course like a horse plunging headlong into battle only to be slaughtered, to suffer unnecessarily the just judgment of our sin? Let us not turn away from the immeasurable riches of God’s mercy and forgiveness. Let us not despise the word of salvation proclaimed from the house of God. Instead, may the Holy Spirit stir up in us a fervent desire for the life and salvation our God freely bestows. I look forward to seeing all of you this coming Lord’s Day.
~Pastor