Monday, October 5, 2020

Pastor's Ponderings, October 5, 2020

We Must Be Born Again

The Scorpion and the Frog is a classic animal fable. A scorpion, which cannot swim, asks a frog to carry it across a river on the frog's back. The frog hesitates, afraid of being stung by the scorpion, but the scorpion argues that if it did that, they would both drown. The frog considers this argument sensible and agrees to transport the scorpion. Midway across the river, the scorpion stings the frog anyway, dooming them both. The dying frog asks the scorpion why it stung despite knowing the consequence, to which the scorpion replies: "I couldn't help it. It's in my nature.  This fable teaches that most people will not resist doing what comes naturally even when it is not in their best interests to do so.

 

This fable demonstrates the fallen nature of mankind.  We tend to only do those things that benefit us personally while leaving altruistic work to others.  The Bible explains this perfectly. While we may want to do good things, we find that there is a tendency in us that leads us to do evil deeds (Romans 7:21-23).  Although we may feel that our good deeds outweigh our bad ones, the Bible says otherwise.  We all were born into a sinful world and we are shaped by our experiences here (Psalm 51:5).  That is why Jesus said we must be saved or born again (John 3:5-7)

 

No matter how much we may protest our basic goodness, God says that everyone from the most pious saint to the toughest murderer has resisted His commands. All have done and continue to sin (Romans 3:23).  But even though we can’t help wanting to do naturally selfish deeds, God says if we will change our minds about our natural lifestyle and tell God that we don’t want to live our lives like we used to do, He has a solution for us.  


We can thank God that He can deliver us (Romans 7:25) from whatever we may be dealing with. All that we have to do is believe in our hearts that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Jesus from the dead, and say this, we will be born again (Romans 10:9-10).  God wants us to have a life that pleases Him, and He welcomes all who were sinners but now want to live in harmony with Him.  He is welcoming us right now. Let us all get born again today.

 

Romans 7:21-23
New International Version

21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me

22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law

23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me

 

Psalm 51:5

New International Version

5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

 

John 3:5-7

New International Version

5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 

Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 

7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’

 

Romans 3:23

New International Version

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

 

Romans 7:25
New International Version

25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

 

Romans 10:9-10

New International Version

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.


 

 

 

 

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