Something has to Give

This is part of what I shared at ACF’s solemn assembly last Sunday. To read the full transcript. Click here.

Brothers and Sisters, it is with great humility, conviction, fear and sadness that your leaders stand before you today confessing that we have much in common with the priests and people of Ezra’s day (See Ezra 9-10). 

It is our conviction, that much like our biblical predecessors, we have forgotten the commands of God and embraced lifestyles that are completely incongruous with his Word.

 It is our conviction that instead of being humbled by his grace and overwhelmed by his repeated acts of goodness to us, we have taken his favor for granted and actually grown entitled, arrogant, haughty and calloused toward the very Creator who formed us, gave us life and to whom we owe even our most recent heartbeat.

 And it is our conviction that unless we repent, unless we throw ourselves before the Holy One in genuine confession and contrition, unless we reject the casualness with which we approach our Christian calling, and unless we take seriously the Word of God and its authority in each one of our lives, we will be judged exactly as our biblical ancestors were and as rebellious peoples have been throughout history.

 As Paul reminded the believers in Rome, “So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you,” Romans 11:20-21.

 We are not exempt. We are not the exception. We are not above judgment. God doesn’t owe us anything. We run the very real risk of losing our freedoms and the opportunities we have grown to love if we do not immediately turn from our sins and turn back to the Holy God.

 And as the prophet Joel said: Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing . . . . Joel 2:14.