Trust Your Senses?

Wow! What a great picture! I was surfing the internet and ran into this. You feel you could just reach out and touch that globe, don't you!

God gave us our eyes so we could enjoy things like this. And we should give him thanks. But as much as we appreciate (or don't appreciate) our sight, it is a gift!

We use our eyesight, just as we use our other senses of smell, hearing, taste and touch, to help us avoid danger, eat safe things and live longer and happier lives.

But there is a limit to how well our senses serve us. Sometimes we "feel" that things are ok when they really aren't. Could it be that our senses sometimes lie to us? Sure!

The Bible tells us that "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end, it brings death". See, we can't live by our feelings! There are times when we just say "I'm ok, because I feel ok". Well, would you mind if we check this out?

Have you ever told a lie? Be honest --- Who hasn't? Well, what would that make you? If you can't get yourself to use the "L" word, what would you call me if I told you a lie? A liar, of course! Ever stolen anything, regardless of the size of the object...or how long ago? What would that make you? Just like me, if you have stolen anything, it would make you a thief! Have you ever hated anyone? The Bible says that it murder. Jesus said "It was said by them of old, 'thou shalt not kill', but I say to you if you hate anyone you are guilty of murder". So, again. have you hated anyone? If so, God says you are a murderer. And that is only three of the Ten Commandments! There are seven left and the first one says "I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other Gods before me". Have you always, without fail, kept God in first place in your life...in every detail? Then you have replaced Him with a God of your own making and broken the first and second commandments.

So, by your own admission, you (just like me) are a lying, murderous thief, guilty of idolatry, and God is a Holy Judge who must punish sin! God's Word says that He is "angry with the wicked every day."

So, do you think you'll go to heaven or hell? You say "Heaven!"? You say "God will forgive me because I have or will ask him to forgive me"? Really? Perhaps, just like we've already discussed, you are living by your senses!

What would you think of a judge in your town who let murderers and thieves go free? Wouldn't you want him booted out of the bench? Of Course You Would! Therefore you know you are in deep trouble don't you? You have no guarantee that you will be alive in five minutes, yet you have no solution for your "legal dilemma" do you? God is Holy and must judge sin. He must punish those who rebel against Him and He must be eternally separated from those who choose to live in rebellion against His Holy standard!

And Jesus said that "Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees, you will in no way enter heaven". And just a warning to you, the Pharisees were not slouches when it came to the law. Yet Jesus indicates that they wouldn't get in!

1 Corinthians 6:9, 10 clearly says: "Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor abusers, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."

The Bible clearly says that everyone who is still in their sins will be cast into the lake of fire forever! (Revelation 20:12ff)

So, you're standing before God. His gavel has fallen. You have been declared guilty. What is your remedy?
Do you have any idea as to a solution? Fortunately for you, there is!

You see, God sent His Son, Jesus. God in human flesh. He lived on Earth 2000 years ago and lived the perfect life that you an I cannot live. Without Christ, we are slaves to our senses. We are slaves to our sin! We can't do good. "There is none righteous, no, not one" the book of Romans says.

But Jesus lived a perfect life. And after living that perfect life he suffered and died on a cross, bearing your sin. He paid the penalty so that you can go free. It's like the Judge found you guilty, fined you an amount you could never pay, ever. But then he came around your side of the bench and paid it for you.

What is your response? God "calls all men to repentance". That means to forsake your sin and rebellion. You must also trust completely in Christ and Christ alone for his work on your behalf. This is called faith. Repentance is one side, trust is the other side. But it is the only way to be saved.

You value your eyes. You used them to view that picture at the top of this post. You see many beautiful things with them. Your girlfriend, boyfriend, parents, wife. Everything you hold dear you see with your eyes. Would you sell one for a million dollars? Yes? No? Maybe? Ok, what about a 100 million for both? No? Of course not! They are priceless to you. Yet your eyes are only windows that your soul looks through to perceive the world around you. How much more valuable than your eyes is your soul, which will last for ever! Given therefore that your soul is worth more than your eyes (which you wouldn't sell), would you sell your soul for the temporary things you see around you? My prayer is you'll choose wisely.

Don't trust your senses, which may say "all is well, God is a God of Love, He will just overlook my sin". No friend, He won't. He can't. Remember, only an unjust judge would do that!

Repent (turn from your sin) and place your trust in Jesus Christ as your substitute. Trust Him as you would a parachute. One day, maybe today or tomorrow, you will take a leap into death and only the Parachute of Jesus' death and resurrection will save you. But you must trust Him as your substitute.

Stop right here for a bit. Consider carefully what you have read. Isn't your conscience telling you that you've heard the truth? Then confess and forsake your sins to God, and ask Him to forgive you. Admit to Him your need for what His one and only Son offers.

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So, you still say you think you can trust your senses? Here's a side view of te "globe" at the top of this post. It's nothing more than a chalk drawing on a sidewalk!

(For more great illusions, Check out "CoolOpticalIllusions")