For Petulant Pete [I think you know who I mean] All my life I’ve heard the saying, “every tub must sit on its own bottom”. The circumstance surrounding the speaking of this particular warning, was always the same. One of us children were trying to get around, or away from correction, or readily admitting to guilt, while blaming it on another, ” they told me to do it”. Then we would hear Grandma or Mom pronouncing, ” every tub must sit on its own bottom”. What were they trying to tell us, our bottoms would soon be so sore, sitting would be difficult? We never were quite sure. Of the correction we could always be sure. What I considered then the most unfair of treatment, surely in all the world. I now consider one of the greatest gifts ever bestowed upon me. Loving correction, when I erred from the path. Today, it seems everything, is some one else’s fault. Rarely do we hear some one say, “I did it, blame me, I’ll take the responsibility”. I guess it’s always been the same, even in the garden. Cain said, “Am I my brothers keeper?” Further back yet, Adam said, “the woman YOU gave me”. Not only shifting the blame to Eve, but even accusing the Lord. So I guess the blame game has been around a while. I am even more assured, it fails to shift the blame. Every tub must set on its own bottom. Romans 5:12 “Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” But thank the Lord for this verse:15 “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one, many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded to many.” Bless His holy name. We have free access to the very throne of God, at all times, through the shed blood of Jesus the Christ. The bible encourages us, Come boldly, Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in a time of need.” An open door is set before us, to come before the Creator of all heaven and earth, our Father. Access to an earthly king is not given to us common folk, nor to our president, or even our local mayor’s office. One thing can hinder us in our access, the failure to come boldly. Condemnation will prevent us, condemnation is believing the accusations of the enemy, using the vehicle of others thoughts toward us. Some times our own thoughts are polluted by the accusations of the enemy. Some times wrong teachings can condemn us. Romans 8: tells us “There is therefore now NO condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” What does this mean? For those who base their faith and access on Jesus, and all that He accomplished on the cross, there is no condemnation. My salvation began in Him and is maintained in Him. Now if I stray, enter in to sin, for example walk in un-forgiveness, the Holy Spirit will convict, tug at my heart and say,”That’s not right”. My response will determine my course, will I repent, turn from that attitude. Say You are right forgive me, change me, and so enter back into right relationship. Or will I play the blame game, “I wouldn’t feel this way if THEY etc…”The Lord taught us if we come to the altar [or throne] to offer a gift and there remember we have aught [anger] against our brother, Go and be reconciled, and then come back and offer our gift. Blame shifting does not work, we can not have free access with out walking in fellowship with the Spirit of God. The blame game breaks that fellowship. Notice with Adam and Cain, the All knowing God knew of their sin and heart condition, yet went after them desiring to give them a chance to say, “I did it, forgive me”. The blame game is what separated them. Don’t fall for that old trick. Let your tub sit or stand on its own bottom. There is nothing, no slight or offence worth, losing access to the presence of the Lord. It is not much comfort to perhaps be right in a situation, but wrong in attitude, and so separated. John 1:7 reads, “If we walk in the Light as He is in the Light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” When the Lord says this is the path, walk in it, that is how He reveals light. When we except His words and walk in them, that is walking in the Light. From that place of obedience flows forgiveness, acceptance, and fellowship. Simply put LIFE. Be honest with the Lord, let Him be Lord in your life. So you can come with boldness before His throne at all times.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 01:40:26 +0000
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