10-17-2015

Good Morning All!!

          Psalm 41:4; “As for me, I said, “O Lord, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you!”

    It is a truth we all know but most of us don’t really like.  If you buy something, like a car or a computer or a lawn mower, if you operate it according to the manufacturers’ manual it will operate at its peak capability, efficiency and give you the maximum life span of the piece of equipment.  If you use the fuel that the manufacturer suggests, if you use the oil suggested, if you keep the air pressure in the tires, if you service it as suggested, you will get the peak performance and the maximum life.

    Many of us don’t.  We either don’t know this so we just fumble along not knowing that you need to change the oil, you need to check the filters, and you need to keep the air pressure in the tires correct.  Some of us “know better”.  The recommended air pressure is ok but I’ve always used this air pressure.  Or I’ve always used this type of fuel or this type of oil.  The manufacturer may have spent millions of dollars developing this product but I know how to use it better than the manufacturer does.

    Does this sound familiar?  Does this sound like your real life?  This is what sin is like.  Luther defines sin as any thought, word, or action that goes against God’s will.  When we do the wrong thing or when we fail to do the right thing, we sin.  Some get offended when they are told that they sin.  It was a mistake, a slip, a boo-boo, the way I am, and so does everyone else.  They often accuse you of being judgmental but they miss the point of why we must confess our sin.  Sin goes against God’s will; sin goes against the manufacturer’s manual.

    Sin separates us from God but sin also harms us.  Sin causes all of our pain, our troubles and our sorrows.  There are times when we do not realize that what we do is against God’s will.  Our knowledge is weak or is dulled by the sin in our life and around us.  However, most of the time; we simply think we know more than God.  We think we have a better way.  Every time, this idea causes us pain.

    Only God can heal this pain.  He forgives our sin and he heals our soul.  Yet, if you want to stay healed, you need to change your way.  This is why Jesus tells us to “go and sin no more.”  This is to keep us healed, to keep us whole.  This instruction is to keep us from harming ourselves over and over again, doing the same sin, suffering because of it and wondering why.  So see “go and sin no more” more as “read the manufacturer’s manual” rather than a cruel judgment.  It is guidance to healing.  God’s healing gives us peace.

Father of all hope; lead me to see your mercy in all aspects of my life.  Lead me to see the love that you pour out upon my.  Lead me to know your healing.  Guide me by your Spirit so that I may follow your will and to live my life according to you guidance.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret