We’re having our Grand Opening this weekend at Guidestone Church in Hermosa Beach. The following week we’ll kick off a new series but for this week it requires a one-off message this one comes with a punch!
If you’re going to stand on the sin’s doorstep, you’ll end up dancing in the kitchen with the devil.
This is the phrase that came to me as I read a familiar passage and have been asking God to show me this week’s message.
John 18 tells about when the Jewish leaders took Jesus before Pilate, the Roman governor, to ask for him to sentence him to crucifixion. They tell of Jesus’ “criminal activity” and push Pilate to take Jesus into custody and send him to the cross.
The thing that jumps out to me however, is what John wrote to us in verse 28-29 at the beginning of this section. “…By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them…”
Entering a Gentile’s home according to Jewish law would make a person unclean. An unclean person would be prevented from participating in and celebrating something like the Passover meal.
So, the Jewish leaders, didn’t go INSIDE Pilate’s palace so they wouldn’t be guilty of breaking Torah and kept from eating the Passover lamb. Instead they waited for him on his doorstep to kill the True Passover Lamb of God.
There was sin in their hearts and this brought division with and separation from God.
If we are going to experience the life God has for us, and taste the goodness of God, we need to deal with sin in our lives and in our hearts. We can’t stand on the doorstep and expect to still enjoy the benefits of the Father. We can’t walk right up to the line and expect not to stumble into darkness. We can’t play with fire and expect not to get burned.
I don’t know where you’re at with this or what lines you’ve been flirting with. Maybe you’ve just run smooth past them or they’re so blurred you can’t see them anymore. First, come to Jesus. His arms are open and his grace is abundant.
But here’s some scripture for anyone to latch on to and let speak as lines may need to be redrawn:
James 4:7-10 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
Get off the porch. Get away from the fire. Get back from the ledge.
Repent - to turn around and change your mind. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
#BlurredLines
#GetOffThePorch
#RestoringWholenessOfLife
Brett
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