Ezra 9:5-7 – “At the time of the evening offering I got up from my self-abasement, with my tunic and robe torn, and then dropped to my knees and spread my hands to the Lord my God. ⁶ I prayed:  “O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face to you, my God! For our iniquities have climbed higher than our heads, and our guilt extends to the heavens. ⁷ From the days of our fathers until this very day our guilt has been great. Because of our iniquities we, along with our kings and priests, have been delivered over by the local kings to sword, captivity, plunder, and embarrassment—right up to the present time.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, a question arose in my heart, inspired by Ezra’s prayer (9:6).  The question was: “How much does sin bother us?”   Does it keep us awake at night?  Does it weigh on our hearts and minds knowing its result?  Does it have no effect, and we continue business as usual?  The extent sin bothers us is the extent we love God and understand the Kingdom.

In Matthew 22:32, Jesus made an interesting statement. “God is not the God of the dead but of the Living.”  The only truly dead are those who go into eternity lost.  If we are in Christ, even if we die naturally, we are yet alive.

In the discussion with the dissenter about the greatest commandment, Jesus gave the key to life. First, love God Totally!  That relationship enables and empowers us to fulfill the second, love others as ourselves.  It is becoming one with God. It is God living and loving through us.   It is Agape in action!

A key to the relationship that will make all sin horrific to us is found in Matthew 25 and the 10 virgins.

Keys:

1. They were all virgins – Saved.

2. They all fell asleep.

3. Five had an inner depth (extra oil = developed life). Five did not.

4. The prepared went in when the bridegroom came. The unprepared went to seek restoration and were locked out.

It can be too late; delay and failure to develop a consistent relationship with Jesus can cost us eternally.   Today, or better, this breath is the only breath or time we are assured of. Eternity is too great a prize to risk losing.

Another is in the account of the 5, 2, and 1 talent.  Gifts are, according to God’s view of ability, not ours.  We are only responsible for stewarding the gifts we have.  Failure to do so is treated and viewed as rebellion. It exhibits a lack of trust in God and His ability, and it disrespects God’s grace.  That is a major no-no!

How much does sin bother us?  Ours or that around us!  That is revelatory as to where we are.  Are we the 5-talent, 2-talent believer, or the 1-talent believer? Are we the 5 wise or 5 foolish virgins?

Respond accordingly!  Make it right today, for tomorrow may never come!