Tope Popoola

SUNDAY MUSING

THE PRODIGAL GOD - 5
Naked. Exposed. Ashamed. Afraid.
Solution? Cover up! Just like Adam!
Why should you be so vulnerable?
After all, if no one sees it, no one can judge it!
So do something and fix it quick. You know the feeling don't you?

Man's performance outside God's provision only leads to greater frustration. God looks at man's best act and concludes, "Filthy rags"!

"I sing in the church choir."
Well, Satan once led the celestial orchestra!
"I am involved in several good deeds in the community."
And so? Even the devil is sometimes transformed into an angel of light!
"I read the bible and I know the scriptures."
The devil knew it so well he almost tripped God's own Son with it remember?
"I believe in God."
So do demons. You only mouth it. They tremble at it!
"I am deeply religious, zealous for God and never miss church."
Interesting. Try Saul of Tarsus for size.
"I never tell lies."
Well, you just did!
"I hold no grudge against anyone"
Yeah, but you have avoided them since they bruised your bloated ego.
"I might not be perfect but I am still way better than some Christians that I know."
Really? Didn't you read, "ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"? ALL!
"I keep The Ten Commandments religiously."
Well, I thought you read "By works of the law shall no flesh be justified..."

God's verdict? Filthy rags. Fig leaves.
Only problem is, the lifespan of fig leaves is annoyingly short. In a matter of days, the elements would have made nonsense of Adam's fashion label.
Mercy reached out and snuffed life out of some innocent animals and pronto, a new weather-resistant covering for Adam and his wife was made. The guilty now wore the garb of the innocent!
Prodigal grace!
A foreplay of heaven's romance with mortal man!

In the ultimate consummation of this engagement, God paid a price far in excess of the offence.
For Adam, He killed some animals.
For YOU, He "killed" His only begotten Son!
God determined what sin was. He judged man guilty as charged. He determined what the penalty would be. Then He stood in the criminal's stead and paid.
IN FULL.
And he that was guilty now walks free.

How does one experience this freedom?
Simply believe that Christ's death was for you.
Receive and accept your new status.
Discharged and acquitted!
Too good to be true.
That is the meaning of the gospel.
Too good to be true news.
Did I hear you say grace doesn't make sense?
It was never meant to!...
Continued...
Remember, the sky is not your limit, God is!