September 11, 2018 - - Psalm 56:13 - - How great is your sin? Your salvation?

For you have delivered my soul from death,

yes my feet from falling,

that I may walk before God

in the light of life.

Psalm 56:13 ESV

The Gospel of John (1:4) describes Jesus this way:

"In him was life, and the life was the light of men."

Perhaps some of you remember this from about three decades ago: an "artist" [Andres Serrano] took a photograph called "Immersion". It was a picture of a crucifix which was submerged in a glass of the artist's own urine. Even writing this is so offensive to me. Though I am not a Roman Catholic and I disagree with any depiction of God (in accordance with the Ten Commandments) I find Serrano's work beyond disgusting. It angers me that galleries feted the artist and displayed his work.

Then I am led to reflect on my own sin. It is so easy to call out the sins of others and feel superior. How often don't we compare our deeds to someone whose deeds we consider to be way worse and think "Wow, God must be pleased with me. I am not so bad as THAT person."

Every sin, every thought against His Majesty, every good work left undone, is as vile a rebellion against the holiness of God as Serrano's work. Every man, woman, and child is immersed in sin and spews sin. Who will rescue us from death?

To be delivered from death is to be delivered from the steady acts of evil which we knowingly and unknowingly commit against God. When God rescues us it is by Jesus Christ, the life who gives light to men. Our sins, and revolting, disgusting lives which deserve everlasting punishment have been punished in the Person of Jesus Christ, Who died in our place. All who believe in Jesus are rescued from death. Our hearts are changed. In contrast to our former way of spouting all sin all the time, the Spirit of God enthrones Jesus Christ at the centre of the believer's life. In Him we have life and all our actions are illuminated. Those who once walked in death and darkness, but who now believe in Jesus they now walk according to the Light of Life. Jesus is our chief joy and very great reward.

We, Christians, still sin. Though we still have rebellion clinging to our flesh and thoughts, the core of who we are has been thoroughly changed. We are given life in Jesus. We are called sons and daughters of God. Our hearts now hate sin and we grieve it wherever we see it--in ourselves, in our peers and in our world. We do not point out sin because we feel superior, no, never that! We point out sin because we know the unspeakable, great joy of being thoroughly washed and cleansed by Jesus Christ.

King Jesus, how can we ever repay You for Your immeasurable love? God of Angel armies and inestimable holiness, Who is like You? You have removed our sins far from us--as far as the East is from the West! You, God, have anointed us with Your Holy Spirit so that our hearts have been utterly transformed by the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. We now walk in the Light in Life. Blessed are You O God. In view of Your resplendent gloriousness, cause us to walk in the light of life. May our words and our actions be such a powerful witness to Who You Are that others will seek to know You and join us in blessing Your Holy Name--we pray it through Jesus Christ--Amen.