You Were Robbed! As Much as I...

You Were Robbed! As Much as I...

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 

Jesus warns us to be on guard for thieves who will try to rob us of what God has for us. Jesus wants us to enjoy abundant life (John 10:10). Since the time of Adam and Eve, people have had to choose whom to believe. Satan convinced Adam and Eve that forfeiting their obedience to God would gain them everything. Instead, their disobedience robbed them of all they had. For the rest of their lives they experienced only a fraction of the blessings God had intended. Scripture is replete with accounts of those who forfeited their inheritance as children of God in order to gain that which was transitory and empty. The world seeks to convince you that you will find fulfillment if you adopt its standard of morality for your marriage, raising your children, advancing your career, or pursuing pleasure. If you believe this, you will never experience the blessings God intended for you. Sin brings death (Rom. 6:23). It is tragic to listen to the voices of the world instead of to the One who created life and who wants you to experience life to its fullest. Jesus wants you to live your life with security, knowing that you are a beloved child of God. If you are not experiencing love, joy, and peace, you have settled for less than what God intends for you. If you have been making excuses for why you are not experiencing an abundant and joyful life, determine today to settle for nothing less than God's best for your life. Stop following the world's way of finding satisfaction. Instead, listen to the Savior's voice, and you will find true fulfillment. - Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day 

We don't often look around in our lives and declare that sentiment. 

That being "I was robbed!".  We often look at life with some semblance of security. 

Yet we have been robbed. Sin robs us in every aspect of our lives. 

We both make up excuses for our decisions or we just straight up decide to sin.  Either way, in sin, we disobey God's Word. We sin against a Holy God. It's why Jesus, the Son of God, the perfect sacrifice, had to go through all that He did. 

I look back on my short life and although I don't remember a lot of specifics, I remember the sense of loss.  

I remember the fall to the Spiritual ground.

I remember the taunting laughter from both my sin nature and from the Demons who witnessed it. The berating words, the whole kicking me while I was down thing.  The daily barrage of belittling words trying to convince me of who I really was.

I certainly think that I understand that aspect of the Prodigal Son. That point in his life where he both loathed what he was doing and how it made him feel. Starving while feeding pigs.

You might or might not have thought along those lines. To me I am reminded of Paul's writings and warnings. To be on my guard. That the Devil roaming about seeking someone to devour. 

We can all feel a million miles away from God. 

The truth is exactly what I have experienced my Friend. 

We are never more than 1 step away from God. 

That truth broke me the very first time I experienced it.  The first lie that Satan's minions ever told me was that I was too far gone for God to ever care about me.  That He would never come looking for me. To give up. To quit. 

You, my Dear Reader, are no farther than one step away from the God who saves. As in the Prodigal Son, He always looks on the horizon for the Son who's trying to make it home. 

This song gives me goosebumps just about every time. I have often cried when trying to sing it. 

The God Who Stays - Matthew West

If I were You I would've given up on me by now
I would've labeled me a lost cause
'Cause I feel just like a lost cause

If I were You I would've turned around and walked away
I would've labeled me beyond repair
'Cause I feel like I'm beyond repair

Oh, but somehow You don't see me like I do
Somehow You're still here

You're the God who stays
You're the God who stays
You're the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You're the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart
From the God who stays

I used to hide
Every time I thought I let You down
I always thought I had to earn my way
But I'm learning You don't work that way, no

'Cause somehow You don't see me like I do
Somehow You're still here

You're the God who stays
You're the God who stays
You're the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You're the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart
From the God who stays

My shame can't separate
My guilt can't separate
My past can't separate
I'm Yours forever

My sin can't separate
My scars can't separate
My failures can't separate
I'm Yours forever

No enemy can separate
No power of hell can take away
Your love for me will never change
I'm Yours forever

'Cause you're the God who stays
You're the God who stays
You're the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You're the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart
From the God who stays
You're the God who stays
You're the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You're the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart
From the God who stays

We allow ourselves to be robbed, thinking there's no other recourse to our situation. 

We allow ourselves to listen to lies over and over because we don't know how to fight against them. 

We allow ourselves to be carried away rather than wrap our hands around the lifeline that the Spirit of God throws out to us.

True security in this life is only found in Christ Jesus. Not in any physical manner. Not in any physical construction made by mankind or huen out of the Earth. 

Listen not to the lies. Listen for that still small voice of the Spirit of God. 

Turn away from the sin that so easily entangles and cry out to Jesus to save. 

He has never lost one yet that has come to Christ. Never will either. 

The pleasures of this world will deceive you as much as any open faced lie. Be on your guard!

You live in a world that wants you to take what belongs to God in your life and spend it on yourself. I am not speaking solely of money. Of time, of energy, of effort.  Taking your attention off the cross you are to bear and putting it on you.

If your passions get enflamed for things of this world and not toward your walk with Jesus it's time to put on the brakes and really consider why that is.  Sadly, in my life, I have done it and see millions do it. They are more zealous for a sports team than they are for Jesus. That is sin that easily entangles. 

Look at your heart. Look with eyes wide open and you will see how you have been robbed. 

As long as a person takes a breath there's hope.  

As long as a person turns to make it right with God, they will always find Him running to them. 

So What do you need to do today?