Line in the sand...

In this world, we will have many troubles; states Jesus. I love that He is such a realist and doesn't allow us to use Christianity as our escape into a world so disconnected from the world.

BUT: It has been revealed to me in my talks with people lately, that troubles is what they are trying to avoid. A few told me they completely avoid the world as much as possible, because they don't like dealing with other people's language or lack of restraint in cursing. Some have shared they will no longer attend sporting events, because of the lack of morals or respectful attitude that is not displayed while their team is losing. For many, it was inappropriate dress and less then godly motivations that would like to be quarantined and avoided.

I certainly respect a persons right to draw the line in the sand. We all have to have personal life decisions that place certain boundaries on ourselves and on our families. Now I would like to take a look at the other side of the picture or the coin.

I ask this, are we not to sure that we are not using Christianity to our gain so much that we have boxed ourselves in; and are no longer reaching out? Have we accepted salvation so selfishly? What I mean is this: have we created a world where Christianity is now the method by which we have fashioned a life that no longer has anything to do with the world accept through prayer, tithing or an occasional pep talk to the unsaved?

There is a world that is hurting, lonely, suffering, angry, cursing, disrespectful, immoral, rebellious, prideful, lustful and lost. They we unbelieving, rebellious, religiously off, spiritually dead, mentally at war, and physically in opposition to the Cross and Christ. It was our God who showed us His love by choosing not to stay separate from us. It was our God who became flesh and sat with sinners, whores and drunks. It was our Jesus who offended the religious when he hugged the dirty, washed the feet of a sinner, and ate with sinners.

It was God though Jesus Christ that loved us enough to not stay away. It was Jesus who did not draw the line in the sand, accept to convict men of their own sins. I would like you to notice in the bible, Jesus drew the line in the sand and it is okay to draw the line in the sand....but I now ask you...on which side was He on? He knelt down, and as He drew the line in the sand....and He is behind the line....WITH THE SINNER, WITH THE ADULTERESS, WITH THE GUILTY, WITH THE IMMORAL, WITH THE LESS THEN ADMIRABLE. You and I better be thankful that He did...because of His love for sinners...He is the only one on judgment day who will draw the line between us and Gods wrath to come. On that day, Christ will draw the line in the sand and will be loving enough to be found standing with you, for you, on your behalf also...Spiritual adulterer, Spiritual murderer, Spiritual unfaithful, Less then honorable, and He will say..."Not this one Father, this one is mine".

Oh I thank you God for not staying separate from us. I thank you Jesus for not staying away from us. I thank you for drawing the line in the sand and standing with the sinner who has living a life of obviously rebellion to your ways. What a merciful God, what a loving God, that you will have Grace enough to found standing with me on that day when I need you most....now that is Grace...that God would be found standing behind the line in the sand.....with me! May you live in Grace, may you see the need for Grace, may you grow in Grace, and may you give away that Grace as you live and breathe today!