Monday, July 16, 2012

They are knocking


Two doors.  A choice.  One will offer us ease and quick riches.  It will offer us fun and excitement.  the other door offers us trials.  it offers us a life of hard work as a servant.  It also offer us eternal life and grace.  Which one do we open?  Instant gratification or the joy of a job well done?

As christians we need to not only answer this once, but daily.  I was reminded of this last week while listening to the Imperfect Wives radio show.  Cherie read Genesis 4:6-7.  

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it. ” NIV84


Cain had anger and discontentment in his heart after Abel's offering was accepted over his.  I've seen this hurt in my daughter's eyes when her brother won a bigger prize at our local amusement park.  I could see her eyes saying "It's not fair, I'm older!!!", just as Cain felt.  Kevin Leman mentions in the introduction of his book "The Birth Order Book" that he wanted to call it "Abel had it coming."  (LOL)

God loved Cain just as much as he loved Abel.  He reminded Cain that "sin is crouching at your door."  Only we can let it in.  Satan will use any trick in his book to get us to answer, think SNL Landshark (if you knew what I was referring to immediately, you're showing your age).   He will tell us what we want to hear and make it all pretty and shiny, but underneath it's rotten and tarnished.  These things are lies!  They are distortions of the truth.  

There is another door mentioned in the Bible in Revelation 3:19-20.


Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.  Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. NIV84


Another person  stands behind a door.  This person offers us truth, justice, peace and grace.  This person died for us.  He suffered so we didn't have to.  All He asks for is our submission, humility and obedience.  We are taught these things are wrong in our society, just the way Satan wants sit.  he wants to distort the truth as he knows the lies he is selling.  He knows what he offers is cheap.  What Jesus offers us is riches and prosperity - it is freedom.  Yes, that's what being a servant of Jesus means - freedom from bondage; freedom from sin; freedom from shame; freedom from our past; freedom from.....

Two doors.  One offering instant gratification.  One offering eternity.  One seems to be free, until you read the small print.  One seems to cost a lot, but is actually already paid for.  They are knocking.  Who will you answer?

Linking up with the SDG Sisterhood.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

This is so true! Although sometimes it is more frequent than daily that I am tested that way.
I hope things are going well with you this summer and that you survived the Calgary Stampede. :)

Cherie said...

Great post Michelle. I love how you showed both doors. Offense, anger, they both and more are waiting for us at the wrong door! Praying this post will touch many and turn their hearts back to God!

Love you,
Cherie

Katharine said...

Well said! The freedom that is ours is so wonderful!

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

One seems to cost a lot, but is already paid for ... a beautiful truth.

Pamela said...

So thankful for the door of eternity. Instant gratification doesn't begin to outshine it. Well thought out post--promotes a "good-think."

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Alberta, Canada
I'm a 39 year old (oh yeah I'm telling you my age) Stay at Home mom. A former Bad Girl now reformed sinner, I'm married to my Y2K guy and raising 3 great children from God. Proudly Canadian, however, missing the West Coast, I currently live in the prairies watching the farmers fields produce as I learn how God produces the fruits in me.
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