Apples of Gold
Radio Script for September 2, 2008
“Stop Sinning or Something Worse May Happen to You”
Hello, I’m Doug Apple…with Apples of Gold.
We don’t think of Jesus as the kind to make threats.
Well, maybe to the Pharisees – but to the average Joe? No.
He is Jesus meek and lowly, full of love and grace.
But then we come to John chapter 5. Here Jesus heals a man who was a cripple for almost 40 years. Then in verse 14 Jesus looks him up at the temple and delivers this ominous message.
“See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”
Well that sounds terribly old fashioned, doesn’t it? That doesn’t fit our 21st century philosophy. God is love, remember? He’s not sitting up in heaven waiting to beat us with a stick.
Yes, God is love. Yes, He is gracious and kind and very patient. But.
If we keep on sinning, we will be punished.
“Come on, Doug. That’s not the God I believe in.”
Well it is if we’re talking about the God of the Bible.
Look again at what Jesus said to this man, a man that He had just healed. He said, “Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”
Does that sound like a threat? That’s because it is a threat! It’s a warning shot over the bow.
And I think it applies to us all.
Look at Galatians 6:7. It says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
If we think we can keep on sinning and we won’t be punished, then we are mocking God. We are looking up to heaven and saying, “Did you see that God? Did you see what I did? Well what are you going to do about it? Nothing. That’s what I thought.”
God will not be mocked. Look at Galatians 6:8. It says, “The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction…”
That’s a strong word: destruction. And that’s what will happen in our life if we keep on sinning. We will reap destruction.
More than once in the Bible God delivers this terrible phrase, “‘I will repay.”
“But Doug, that doesn’t leave any room for the grace of God. What about Romans 2:4, that His kindness leads us to repentance?”
The Lord is patient and kind. That’s why we’re still alive.
But keep reading in Romans chapter two. Verse eight says there will be wrath and anger for those who are self-seeking, who reject the truth and follow evil.
When we sin, that is what we are doing. We are rejecting the truth and following evil. And that leads to “trouble and distress,” according to verse nine. It says, “There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil…”
“But I’m not doing actual evil. Yes, I have my sins, but doesn’t everyone? At least I’m not out slashing people.”
The Bible says there are all kinds of evil. And if we participate in any of it, even evil thoughts, we are setting ourselves up for trouble and distress. We will reap what we sow.
Does that mean every bad thing that happens is punishment? No. In Luke 13 a bunch of guys died when a tower fell on them. Some people thought it was God’s judgment for their wickedness. Jesus said, “Were they worse sinners than everyone else? No.”
But then Jesus punctuated His commentary with this warning, “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Now some want to debate what He meant by “perish,” but you know what? That’s His part. I need to take care of my part, which is repentance.
Most children understand this clearly. There is a zone in which you are operating under your parents’ patience and kindness. But if you keep it up, you will enter another zone – the zone of judgment.
And that’s what Jesus was talking about when he warned the man in the temple. He said, “Keep it up, and you will enter the judgment zone.”
“God will not be mocked,” the Bible says.
“‘I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
“It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God,” it says in Hebrews 10:31.
“No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning,” it says in First John 3:6.
“Come back to your senses…and stop sinning…” it says in First Corinthians 15:34.
Yes, God is patient and kind. But His kindness must lead to repentance. If it doesn’t, beware.
If you continue to live a self-seeking life, if you continue to sow to please your sinful nature, beware. I think these words of Jesus are a stern warning for you.
“Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”
Comments?
E-mail me: dougapple@wave94.com.
May God bless you today! With Apples of Gold…I’m Doug Apple.
© 2008 The Arrow’s Tip
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(Proverbs 25:11 – “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”)
Why “The Arrow’s Tip”? Each morning, after diligently seeking the Lord, I write Apples of Gold. Then before I release it to the public I pray one final prayer, “Lord, send forth your arrows.” I envision Apples of Gold as arrows, tips dipped in the river of the water of life that flows from the throne of God (Rev. 22:1), sailing toward the hearts and minds of men and women around the world.
Doug Apple
General Manager - Wave 94
Christian Radio for Tallahassee
PO Box 4105
Tallahassee, FL 32315
(850) 926-8000
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