Rebellion

"There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:22-24 (NIV)

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 (NIV)

Tonight, after a long day and night's work, myself and several other people had the pleasure of rude and crude interruption of our silence by a few girls completely drunk. While one lie flat on the ground looking at up at her friend, another loudly proclaimed her state of want for company (to put it politely) as she talked on the phone. Needless to say, no one at the bus stop was really appreciative of any insight gained.

As much as I was annoyed because this was not what I wanted to be listening to, I was at once struck with sadness because these girls thought they were free!

Rebellion is a state that I think leads us, the more we are bound by the chains of our lifestyle, our passions, desires and ultimately sins, to believe that we are bound by nothing. Have you ever heard someone say that they don't want to hear the opinions of anyone else because they are free to make their own decisions - well, you are witnessing the hardening of sin and crusting on someone's heart as they further attempt to convince themselves that what binds them is their freedom!

This is not just the case with those who get drunk, commit adultery - but with every one and every sin. We are all sinners! But the power of God covers all sin through Christ Jesus.

Sin is a chain and as with any work we do for our boss, it has a wage - death! Not something that brings freedom or independence! It does not make us cool or 'in', no matter what people around us scream out in the way they act, talk, dress...

The great news is that we dont have to stay bound - we can choose life :) So choose it and live it :) My only hope in this life is that I might do some justice to the gospel by accepting it wholeheartedly. All the sin and rebellion that I have had is on the cross, even that which I will have before I die and go to heaven. "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12 (NIV)

At the end of thinking all these things my heart just pained for those girls - they thought they were free and they didn't realize how bound they truly are!!!

God bless
Teneke Newport