June 23: A Mystery
And to man He said, “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.” Job 28:28
The one who senses conviction of sin (the Holy Spirit’s gentle nudge) will seek relief, one way or another. If he or she rebuffs the Holy Spirit’s whispering call to repentance, the “relief” will come in a counterfeit form: gaining approval from people for the erroneous way that he or she is pursuing. Such approval is only too easy to find! And the heart, by yet another slight degree, shrivels and hardens.
But if one recognizes that the discomfort of conviction for sin is for his or her ultimate salvation, then the solution provided in the word of God suddenly become desirable! First, go directly to God and ask Him to forgive you. He will! His will to free each of us from sin’s entanglement is exactly why He gave us His Son.
By taking heed according to Your word, the shriveled, crusty heart softens . . . and grows in capacity of understanding. The realization of a deepened understanding is itself a reward, but this is only the beginning, beloved!
Jesus was in all points tempted as we are (Hebrews 4:15) but He never allowed Himself to ponder an excuse for sin. Sin is called the mystery of iniquity (2 Thessalonians 2:7). Indeed, the idea of going against an entirely gracious and loving God cannot be explained. If sin could be explained, it could be excused; and the entire world would be lost. This is exactly why the tempter worked so hard to make the earthly life of Jesus as trying as possible, that He might be led into sin. This is also why our enemy works so feverishly to glamorize sinful lifestyles before the eyes of today’s professed Christ-followers.
Jesus dealt with temptation thusly: “It is written…” (Mathew 4, Luke 4)
While He walked the earth, there were many who sensed their need of Him, and they longed to cleanse [their] way. They saw a depth of kindness in those eyes, and felt a peace that is the deepest longing of every heart. There were still others who avoided Him, having been near Him, for the purity of His spotless life was an unwelcome rebuke. If only they had recognized this as a silent revelation of the deadly threat of their own pride!
How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. I will run the course of Your commandments, For You shall enlarge my heart. Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end. Psalm 119:9-11,32-33
Jesus said: “…he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13