Can you remember growing up, and just how far you were able to push the line with your mom and/or dad? Some kids are just really good at it!! Could even be considered professionals. You know what I’m talking about, just annoying your parents just to the brink of being angry, but not quite angry enough to punish you. Sometimes that practice follows us into our work lives. We learn the boundaries, how to go right to the edge and push our luck, sometimes the hard way, after crossing the line a few times. We knew when we had gone too far, because we were punished.
As Christians I think we often do the very same thing; we push the limit as far as we can go. We do things that we consider “border-line,” but not enough to be called an actual sin (in our minds), but enough to know we shouldn’t be doing it. We try to find the “grey areas,” just like we did when we were kids… trying to bend the rules without totally breaking them. But the punishment for sin, for “crossing the line,” isn’t simply getting time-out, and it’s not getting a whooping by mom or dad. It tells us in Romans 6:23 that the punishment for sin is Death. But I am so thankful that God loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son, to pay the price for our sins. So that we could have eternal life through His free gift of salvation. What wonderful news!! Imagine if you were to go into a store and steal something. But instead of going to jail, they just simply said, “It’s ok! I forgive you, just don’t do it again.” If you really think about it, that’s exactly what God did for you and me. He said, “Don’t worry about what you’ve done in the past… I forgive you for all of your sins! I don’t remember them anymore!”
Again, that’s wonderful news!! That’s an amazing demonstration of the love God has for each of us, but I’m afraid that it’s also one that oftentimes take for granted. Because every time we put ourselves into the “grey area,” we put ourselves in the “Danger Zone.” Every time you put yourself in a situation where you might face temptation or sin, you have a greater chance of falling into it. And every time you allow yourself to fall to sin, you are taking this amazing gift for granted.
Stay close to the Savior’s side today and don’t risk the grey areas of life!!
