It's all about control.
Whether a police officer or a firefighter, when you arrive at a scene, you are in control. You give orders and expect them to be followed because you have to control the chaos that confronts you each day. One of the chief goals of law enforcement is to restore order to a chaotic situation.
That is what Jesus Christ does for us on earth. He takes our chaotic crazy lives, gives us calm, clear directives and restores order.
So why does chaos still follow us around? Why do our marriages fall apart, why do our children rebel and not listen? Why are so many first responders able to have great professional lives, but horrible personal lives?
In order for Christ to restore order, we must first stop giving Him orders.
Most people consider themselves to be good people. They don't recognize their own sins and therefore, don't see their need to be humble. They attempt to come to God on their own terms; another words, they are still attempting to give Him the orders.
However our definition of good and God's definition of good are not the same. God gives us His definition of good in the 10 commandments. So if you want to find out if you meet God's definition of good then ask your self these questions:
1. Have you ever told a lie? (even a little white lie) The 9th commandment says that you shall not bear false witness (which means lie).
2. Have you ever stolen anything? (even as a child, a cookie, a piece of candy..?) The 8th commandment says you shall not steal
3. Have you ever looked at another person with lust? (other than your wife or husband) The 7th commandment says you shall not commit adultery, but Jesus says in Matthew 5:28 that whoever looks at another with lust in their heart has committed adultery with them already.
4. Have you ever used God's name as a cuss word? The 3rd commandment is that you shall not use God's name in vain.
If you answered yes to just one of these questions, then God says that you are not a good person. He tells us in Romans 3 that their are none who do good.
Even when we are trying our hardest, our best is not good enough for God because it only takes one violation not to be good in God's eyes. The problem is that the punishment for all people breaking God's law is eternal punishment in Hell.
That's the bad news, but there is good news.
Because God loves you, He sent His Son to take the punishment for your sins. When Jesus died on the cross, He took your punishment for breaking God's law.
Jesus says that if you turn from your sins, trust that He took your punishment for your sins, ask Him to save you, that you will be saved.
Salvation is not about what we do, its about what Christ did for us. Our salvation is by faith and the grace of God.
Jesus says in John 6:37, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
Stop giving orders to God, humble yourself and ask God to save you.
Whether a police officer or a firefighter, when you arrive at a scene, you are in control. You give orders and expect them to be followed because you have to control the chaos that confronts you each day. One of the chief goals of law enforcement is to restore order to a chaotic situation.
That is what Jesus Christ does for us on earth. He takes our chaotic crazy lives, gives us calm, clear directives and restores order.
So why does chaos still follow us around? Why do our marriages fall apart, why do our children rebel and not listen? Why are so many first responders able to have great professional lives, but horrible personal lives?
In order for Christ to restore order, we must first stop giving Him orders.
Most people consider themselves to be good people. They don't recognize their own sins and therefore, don't see their need to be humble. They attempt to come to God on their own terms; another words, they are still attempting to give Him the orders.
However our definition of good and God's definition of good are not the same. God gives us His definition of good in the 10 commandments. So if you want to find out if you meet God's definition of good then ask your self these questions:
1. Have you ever told a lie? (even a little white lie) The 9th commandment says that you shall not bear false witness (which means lie).
2. Have you ever stolen anything? (even as a child, a cookie, a piece of candy..?) The 8th commandment says you shall not steal
3. Have you ever looked at another person with lust? (other than your wife or husband) The 7th commandment says you shall not commit adultery, but Jesus says in Matthew 5:28 that whoever looks at another with lust in their heart has committed adultery with them already.
4. Have you ever used God's name as a cuss word? The 3rd commandment is that you shall not use God's name in vain.
If you answered yes to just one of these questions, then God says that you are not a good person. He tells us in Romans 3 that their are none who do good.
Even when we are trying our hardest, our best is not good enough for God because it only takes one violation not to be good in God's eyes. The problem is that the punishment for all people breaking God's law is eternal punishment in Hell.
That's the bad news, but there is good news.
Because God loves you, He sent His Son to take the punishment for your sins. When Jesus died on the cross, He took your punishment for breaking God's law.
Jesus says that if you turn from your sins, trust that He took your punishment for your sins, ask Him to save you, that you will be saved.
Salvation is not about what we do, its about what Christ did for us. Our salvation is by faith and the grace of God.
Jesus says in John 6:37, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
Stop giving orders to God, humble yourself and ask God to save you.
