The Fire Withinنمونہ

THE GREAT EXCHANGE

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No one can continue participating in sin without being affected by it. After constantly compromising and ignoring the warnings given to him, Samson was captured by the Philistines. He thought that he would still have the strength to fight them, but he did not.

The verse says, “he did not know the Lord had left him.” That has to be one of the saddest verses in the whole Bible! The worst consequence of sin is separation from God—the One who is the source of all life, truth, and beauty. This is why God constantly warns us against sin, because He does not want this to happen to us because He loves us.

Out of His love for us, God made a way that no one need ever be separated from Him. He sent Jesus to take our place. Jesus experienced the ultimate separation from God on the cross, making Him cry out, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus was separated so we could be included. He was rejected so we could be accepted. He died so we could live. It is the sacrifice of Jesus that ultimately beat sin once and for all.

REFLECT

1. Are there sins that you are willfully, consistently participating in, even against the advice and correction of friends and spiritual family? Are you willing to turn away from them to receive the best that God has for you?
2. Are you under condemnation for sins and errors you have made in the past? Have you received God’s forgiveness through Jesus’ death on the cross?

RESPOND

1. Repentance is a regular part of the Christian life. As we encounter God’s truth, this leads us to turn away from sins that the truth exposes. Turn away now from any sin that God has shown you.
2. Faith is another regular part of the Christian life. By repenting, we acknowledge our error and receive the covering for it through what Jesus did on the cross. Have faith today, knowing your sins are forgiven and God has given you new life.