Don't Dance

Ours, like most families, include a few furry members; Jr, Roxie, Izzy, and Olive are sometimes counted among those at family gatherings.  They are left behind more recently in lieu of some precious non-furry members who say sweet things likes PopC and MomC!

 

Lest we forget -- sin is a deadly beast!  An avid outdoorsman, Timothy Treadwell lived among, studied, and videotaped Alaskan grizzlies.  He often gave them names and even got close enough to touch them on occasion.  He even described the bears as “mostly harmless.”  In October 2003, Treadwell and his girlfriend’s bodies were found fatally mauled in a bear attack.  This tragedy reveals a profound lesson: wild animals can’t be reformed. No matter how trusting we become around them, sooner or later they do what wild animals do, and act according to their nature. That never ends well!  Why then do we assume, we can waltz with sin and survive?  Perhaps we have forgotten what sin is: James writes, “to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin” (4:17); and John writes, “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4).  We like to think of ourselves as kind, respectful, law-abiding people, but let us never forget our true nature.  “All have sinned and fallen short” (Romans 3:23).  It is the fallen and depraved reality of man’s heart that required a blood sacrifice, sending Christ to the cross so that our payment would never have to be death but rather the free gift of eternal life “in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23). At times our furry family members have acted quite naturally, getting them into trouble!  Believers do not have to act naturally, behaving according to our sinful nature.  Don’t be foolish, but wise – sin is a terrible dance-partner.  Just don’t do that dance!