“Concerning [Jesus] we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.” (Hebrews 5:11) The Christmas buzz continues to deafen humanity to the gospel. Think about this… nearly every store you enter right now will be playing gospel driven Christmas music (at least some of the music.) The gospel, being spoken in secular market places and look at the effect it has on us; very little.
He said, “Go, and tell this people:
‘Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand.’ “Render the hearts of this people insensitive, their ears dull, and their eyes dim, otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and return and be healed.” (Isaiah 6:9-10 NASB)
How bad do we need the Gospel? Even at the age of 71, a Twin Falls man was caught shoplifting on ‘Black Friday’. On Thursday, November 29, the Times News reported that he stole some sheets and candy bars: Total value – $32.54
For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.
Col 3:25 (NASB)
All of humanity is “of depraved mind and deprived of the truth” (1 Tim 6:5). All of humanity is in need of the Gospel. Why do not more people understand this great need? Because humanistic philosophies appeal to the sin nature of man the spiritual man eventually becomes “dull of hearing” (Hebrew 5:11). As long as the church attempts to accomplish the matters of the spirit with the things of the flesh, the church should expect to reap the things of the flesh. We must be rescued from the tyranny of sin.
A.W. Tozer argues, “Sin is not only a crime that man commits against God; it is also a monster that rides humanity to exhaustion.” Because of the unrelenting, monstrous death grip sin has on humanity, we are in need of a deliverer who can rescue us from the oppression of our total depravity (our inability to do good or choose right without the aid of God.) The Law of God shows that we are law breakers, always. Sin must be mastered. Death must have an executioner. Man cannot free himself from this monster. This condition of humanity requires a solution or all remain damned.
This master of sin and death must also be a native of the earth. Thus the incarnation of God was required because no mere man can do this liberating work. This is the Gospel. Thus the reason born-again believers rejoice and embrace the majestic incarnation of God (Christ.)
O God, do not remain quiet; Do not be silent and, O God, do not be still. (Psalms 83:1 NASB)
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