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GOD LOVES YOU & JESUS SAVES
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Things To Think About This page has material I believe is very thought provocative. While I agree with the material, I may or may not agree with their denominational beliefs.
THE
ROOM In the Holy Bible we read, "And I saw the dead,
small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book
was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those
things which were written in the books, according to their works"
(Revelation 20:12). This is evidence that God keeps a record. Joshua Harris, a young man of Maryland, USA, was
spending some time in Puerto Rico. One night he had a dream. He felt God had
given him this dream as a reproof for a lack of faithfulness. This dream
reminded him of the life-transforming power of Jesus Christ and His blood. We
would like to share it with you. ************ (THE
ROOM) In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I
found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one
wall covered with small index-card files. They were like the ones in libraries
that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files,
which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction,
had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to
catch my attention was one that read "Girls I Have Liked." I opened it
and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that
I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I
was. This lifeless room with its small flies was a crude catalog system for my
life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a
detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror,
stirred within me as I began randomly opening flies and exploring their
contents. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and
regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was
watching. A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends
I Have Betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright
weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told,"
"Comfort I Have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed At." Some were
almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled at My
Brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Muttered under
My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.
Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes there were fewer
than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had
lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my twenty years to write each
of these thousands, possibly millions, of cards? But each card confirmed this
truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature. When I pulled out the file marked When I came to a file marked "Lustful
Thoughts" I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an
inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its
detailed contents. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. Suddenly I felt an almost animal rage. One thought
dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! I have to destroy
them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter
now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took the file at one end and
began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became
desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried
to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the
file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long,
self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared
the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer,
almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches
long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand. And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep
that they hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees
and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows
of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of
this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No,
please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and
read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I
could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He
seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the
room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't
anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry
again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many
things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me. Then He got up and walked back to the v/all of
files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one,
began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted, rushing to Him. All I
could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and
continued to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so
quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk
back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said "It is
finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no
lock on its door. There were still cards to be written. ************ Have you ever wondered how God looks at your life? Jesus tells
us, "That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account
thereof in the day of judgment" (Matthew 12:36). If we are honest with
ourselves, we will admit with sorrow and regret that we have failed in our
thoughts and actions. We, too, will blush in shame for thoughts harbored and
deeds committed in secret. The Bible says in Romans 2:16 that "God shall
judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ." The Apostle Peter preached
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out,
when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord"
(Acts 3:19). Has Jesus blotted out your sins, or do they still haunt you today? Would you like to be set free? Are the thoughts and
actions of the past weighing you down? Our sins are a great weight on our hearts
and lives. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the
truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8). "For the wages of sin is death; but
the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans
6:23). Jesus offers forgiveness. He came to earth and
shed His blood for all sinners. The salvation plan is now complete. Would you
like to be made whole? "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall
be free indeed" (John 8:36). (Psalm 51) Come to Jesus now! Repent and
confess your sins. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John
1:9). Trust Jesus to lead you to a satisfying life with Him. He will provide
direction for your daily walk of life. THE ROOM — Copyright 1995 New Attitudes/Joshua
Harris. For additional Christian
literature write to the address below. For
Free Distribution—Not To Be Sold GOSPEL
TRACT AND BIBLE SOCIETY P.O.
Box 700 Moundridge,
Kansas 67107 U.S.A. Published
by the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite ' Printed
in U.S.A.
(FOF150M)
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