Turn...

Turn...

by David Brenneman 

"He did evil in the sight of the Lord, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel sin; he did not turn from them." 2 Kings 13:2.

"Nevertheless they did not turn away from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, with which he made Israel sin, but walked in them; and the Asherah also remained standing in Samaria." 2 Kings 13:6.

"But if you on your part warn a wicked man to turn from his way and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your life." Ezekiel 33:9.

"Perhaps they will listen and everyone will turn from his evil way, that I may repent of the calamity which I am planning to do to them because of the evil of their deeds.’" Jeremiah 26:3.

"Oh I got time!" 

"You're too worried about what probably won't happen!"

"Go live a little!"

"What fun is it in living life like that? Go sow your wild oats!"

There's so many people deciding that they know better than God at what God has already decided upon both for them and those around them. When pushed, they don't want to hear it. Why? Because the truth of God scares them.

Those knowingly heading for Hell should be scared. These are those who are adamant that they don't care and think they'll be ok when they get to Hell. Hell isn't what mankind believes it to be. Songs were written decades ago showing it to be an eternal party. Whole religions say its the true paradise where your every whim is going to come true. 

These verses point to the truth. That we are to turn from sin not embrace it nor "enjoy" it while it lasts nor even grow insensitive to its ravaging effects. 

In a corner of the United States fires rage uncontrolled. Countless millions of dollars in housing of the rich and famous up in smoke. That's the physical manifestation of sin in the visual sense. 

It ravages lives. It's not to be messed with. Not to be quote unquote enjoyed.  

Some may think that I have something against sports. I do not. My personal view is that I really don't care about those things. There's no place in my life for what I deem as worthless wasting of time and money such as that.

My aim, not my goal goals can be broken, is to add value added reading to my life. To reinforce what I have learned in Christ. To help me identify what sins are tripping me up and to turn away from them, from the evil they represent. 

Would you even recognize a sinful activity or sinful trap set before you without ever studying God's Word?

Would you know what to do about them? 

Would you try to deal with them or get on your knees before Jesus to ask for forgiveness and help?

Sins are becoming more and more public that used to be done in the dark. Moreover these now public sins are having laws written to protect them. Those who point out these activities and actions as sins get arrested or fired from work.  

We are NOT to "get with the times" no the world hasn't "changed and we need to get in step with it".

Turn from evil.

Turn from sin.

Turn TO a living hope in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. 

It's on you to get serious about your life and take seriously the effects of sins presented to you. Satan's never on a coffee break. His demons are never on a coffee break. Your sin nature isn't away on vacation. The spiritual battles will not end for you until God says your time on Earth is through. 

Nobody has ever arrived. 

Nobody is immune.

The only human who ever lived that was, was Jesus. 

Be diligent. 

Stand firm.

Always abounding in the work of the Lord. 

Yes you're going to stand out and yes the world is going to hate you for it. Jesus said to remember that they hated Him first. 

Is your lifestyle laced with sins you just aren't trying to fight anymore?

Are you even looking to see what parts of your life have their origins in sinful actions or activities?

You can only identify sins when you fully accept what the Bible says are sins...and then agree with God on it...and turn from them. 

If what you immerse yourself in isn't doing anything to grow you in Christ...that means you need to turn.

If whatever consumes your thoughts isn't remotely considered obeying God...that too means you need to turn. 

If you aren't interested in the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus for you...this means you need to turn. 

If you will spend money, time and effort on you but not towards the work of God in Christ through your local Church...you do need to turn.

If you are always looking everywhere else for love and satisfaction except at the feet of Jesus...you need to turn.

What are you really doing to grow in Christ? Is getting to know Jesus after all He's done for you more important than the things you filled your life with? Remember the true story of the rich young ruler who wanted to know. Jesus told him to do what?

"A ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’ ” And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. And Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” They who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But He said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.” Luke 18:18-27.

Remember too: 

"but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9.

Turn...

Flee...

Run...

Is it really more important for you to be right or to live a life that proves that living for Jesus is right?

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.