“And now for a little while grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a peg in his holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes, and give us a measure of revival in our bondage.” Ezra 9:8.
Every day, man wakes up to see himself as an actor on the various stages of life – a farmer in the field, a student in the school, a merchant in the market, a prince in the palace, a minister in the ministry just to mention a few of the very many roles he plays as the day goes by. These various roles allow man to live out his desires but his freedom has caused him to commit wicked acts (sin) for “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked…” “He devises wickedness on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not abhor evil.” Jer. 17:9; Ps 36:4. His acts are grievous enough to attract a grave judgement attached to it “Behold, …the soul who sins shall die.” Ezek. 18:4.
Truly, this pronouncement by the Creator of all puts man in a helpless situation in that, the little time man has to spend on earth is now full of the trouble and taunting of death. As if that is not enough, the director of play in this world (Devil) is also striving that this position man has got himself will continue. He does this by allowing man to make great name, wealth, skill and influence for himself in the world in order to make man forget about the need to amend his ways so as to escape the imminent judgement he has incurred upon himself. “I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a native green tree.” Ps. 37:35.
Meanwhile, this helpless situation is not a hopeless one because the Creator of all never wants his creature to perish so He made out a ransom for as many that agree to accept it. He said, “Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? … and not that he should return from his ways, and live?” Ezek. 18:23 The ransom is JESUS Christ who came to offer himself as a sacrifice to cancel the death sentence on man. Accepting this free offer, affords man with a new life, free of condemnation and a Spirit that makes him live a sinless (RIGHTEOUS) life without difficulty. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17.
Picture yourself in this piece, you live your everyday-life as though none can control you. Driven by passion and pride, you get entangled in those acts or activities that are sinful. A sure way out of this, in order to be free (living without sin) is to accept the free gift of Salvation that JESUS offered on the cross. Simply, believe He came to cancel sin and its consequences out of your life and then play out your life according to His dictates through faith “…the word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved, …, whoever believes on him will not be put to shame.” Rom. 10:8-11 “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:7. (Amen).
'Tunde Vincent Akinmolayan 