Dangerous Ground

Have you ever done something you knew you ought not to do? But then knowing better you kept on? This is an issue of stubbornness, pride, and arrogance. I do this every time my stomach sends a message to my brain that I have eaten enough. If the food is battered, fried, sweet, and creamy you better believe that I am going to keep eating. Knowing better does not stop me. And woe is me and weary and heavy laden follows.

We stand in a time that many of us are doing exactly what we please regardless of truth, morality, and faith. We have come back to a time in which men do what they feel is right in their eyes. This week we have seen just such an issue.

Consider that in one week in one of America’s largest cities we have been told there is a limit to the size of our soft drinks. And in the nation we heard the decision that selective-gender abortions are okay. Laura Ingraham put it well “So…we can ban super-sized drinks but not gender-select abortions? …Sugar bad but gendercide good? Heaven help Us”

We stand on Dangerous Ground today as individuals and a nation. We continue to practice the things that our God hates and have no plan on changing. We have been given plenty of time by the Lord – Dangerous Ground. We have been offered grace by a patient Holy God – Dangerous Ground. And yet we do not take advantage of His offer.

Jesus delivered a message to our generation through the church at Thyatira. This place was not particularly impressive or even important. But there was a witness in this city of the dye guilds. However the majority of that church continued to do the things they ought not to do. They stood on Dangerous Ground.

The Refusal to Repent

“I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.” Revelation 2:21.

The accounts of our lives are coming before the eyes of Jesus and he brings us a verdict – REPENT. We need to consider a couple of things here. First, increased ACTIVITY is not a substitute for repentance. Jesus recognized their activity in Revelation 2:19 “…you are now doing more than you did at first.” But Jesus is more impressed with genuine repentance than he is with hurried activity of kindness. Secondly, ignorant ACTION is not a substitute for repentance. Sure many fall prey to the sinful actions of the world. Many do these acts in complete ignorance to the principles of God’s Word. Ignorance of the law is not a valid defense.  Please do not refuse to repent when Jesus calls you to repent.  

If we refuse to repent we stand on Dangerous Ground because God will act on his Word. When we refuse we are saying we are ready for retribution.

The Retribution on the Un-repentant

You mean to tell us that there is a day of retribution coming? But this cannot be fair? Well, let’s consider that retribution will be from a just standing. Here is a fact about an Omnipotent God – he tells us the truth about our actions. “…I am he who searches hearts and minds.” Revelation 2:23. I cannot know your heart or your mind. Truth is I have trouble knowing my own heart and mind. Jesus can see it all. I cannot fool Him. And neither can you. This fact alone is enough to bring me to repentance. How about you? 

Here’s another truth we can depend. Retribution from God is based on merit. We think that we impress God with our actions and yet it is our actions of sin that he says when we leave unconfessed and unrepented of that he will judge.  “…I will repay each of you according to your deeds.” Revelation 2:23. To quote Apollo 13 – “Houston, We may have a problem!”

The un-repentant will have a day of retribution according to their actions. Once again, we must now repent. Repentance is our only hope.

The Release of the Righteous

Repentance brings at least three marks of goodness into our lives.  Repentance brings GRACE – confession and repentance opens the door to get what we cannot earn His forgiveness and mercy. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. Repentance brings GROWTH – Jesus promised to take to weights off of us. “I will not impose any other burden on you.” Revelations 2:24. Repentance brings GIFTS – Jesus allows us to hang on to him as our prize. “Only hold on to what you have until I come.” Revelation 2:25.

What is Jesus revealing to you right now about your current actions? He is calling us to repentance. Repent by dropping those things that you are doing, those actions are now dead to you do not do them anymore. Repent by totally depending on Jesus to move his work of Grace in your life.