DAILY ENCOUNTER ~ Tuesday, September 05/00

by Dick Innes ~ ACTS International http://www.actsweb.org Partnering with NCF Ministries: http://www.ncfliving.org

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[1] EXPERIENCING EARTHQUAKES

“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full- grown brings death” (James 1:14-15, RSV).

If you have never experienced an earthquake, it’s hard to imagine just what they feel like.

When I first experienced them, I was scared out of my wits. But having lived in Southern California now for quite some time, I’ve experienced several of varying intensity. In fact, I find I’m getting a little bit too used to them and have become somewhat nonchalant or indifferent about them.

The night before last, the town where I was visiting had a 5.2 earthquake. While it was only a moderate quake, it was big enough to do considerable damage. And when you are close to the epicenter as we were, it can be very frightening. When it hit at about 1:30 early Sunday morning, I was awakened by the sudden, violent shaking and in my half-sleep said to myself, “Another earthquake, no big deal. And as soon as the shaker stopped, I pretty much rolled over and went right back to sleep!

The next morning I learned how people were terrified, some were screaming, others went out on the streets for the rest of the night, afraid to go back into their homes for fear of an after shock, and so on. A number of houses were damaged, and one boy is in critical condition after some bricks from a falling chimney fell on his head.

What bothers me is that the earthquake didn’t bother me!

I should have been out of bed immediately heading for the nearest doorway to stand in to avoid falling debris. What concerns me is that if I stay nonchalant about earthquakes, I could experience a major one and stay in bed and get killed!

It reminds me of sin. If we entertain it for long enough, we will become nonchalant and indifferent about it, and end up being destroyed by it. As today’s Scripture reminds us, it’s end result is death; that is spiritual death which is eternal separation from God, the author of all love and life.

Fortunately, however, while the “wages [end result] of sin is death, the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23, NIV).

Whatever you do, don’t become nonchalant or indifferent about sin. It is a deadly spiritual disease. Come to God today to receive his forgiveness and gift of eternal life. (See how to in [2] below).

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to always be very much aware of the deadly dangers of sin, and never entertain it or become indifferent about it. Help me to confess all my sins to you and receive you forgiveness and the gift of eternal life. Gratefully in Jesus’ name. Amen.”