One Common State.

"I've sinned. I've committed many sins." - Pres. Josiah Bartlet, The West Wing

Regardless of our place in this world. our socio-economic status, political bents and what number rung on the corporate ladder we currently find ourselves, there is one common thread that runs through each of our lives.

One problem.
One solution.
Two responses.

If all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and Christ is the only Way whereby man can be saved, then one must reconcile in their spirit, whether they will accept or reject Christ as a means of being reconciled unto God. Often, rejection isn't rejection so much as it is denial.

We've convinced ourselves somehow that being in the wrong is not the same as being in sin. 

There's another scene in, in another episode from this political show, where President Barlet is having a conversation with his press secretary. They were going to do a broadcast to students, discussing a NASA program that launch. Then they had problems with the satellite in communicating/retrieving the inforation it was supposed to collect.

In the course of the discussion, they talk about the cancelling doing the broadcast with the students. The press secretary advises to proceed in favor of the broadcast... and why?

Because some kids won't step to the blackboard for fear of getting "it" wrong. To which the press secretary recommends using it as an opportunity to say to students, "you think you get it wrong? You should come see how the big kids do it"

I relay all of that, to say, we are truly doing ourselves and future generations a disservice when we don't effectively communicate the fallen state of humanity, of our sin, of our need for a Savior and that the answer is only found in the person of Jesus Christ whereby we can come into right relationship with God our Creator.

We fail to acknowledge our sin; indeed that we have committed many. Instead we justify, dismiss it, deny our need for Christ and advise, albeit ill, that one should do what "feels right" for them as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else.
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If love speaks the truth, than that lie that we tell ourselves and our kids borders on hatred. 

Sadly, we are so deep into the lie, that now, is it not only hard to see the truth, let alone accept, it's hard to receive it for what it is; an act of love. For healing and restoration can begin if we don't get down to the core issue of what needs to be restored.

So, thanks for the extra couple minutes to lay that out... and pray with me this #youthPastorWednesday, for pastors of this current generation and upcoming generation of kids and teens. May they not be afraid to speak the truth of man's spiritual state and what the life of Christ means for our lives. Pray the eye-scales of deceit would come off; for those who have believed the lie regarding sin and whether man is "good enough" or simply good because we aren't as bad as our neighbor. May the cycle be broken, of many ways to God; for there is but only One name under Heaven whereby man can be saved. Pray the truth of God's Word would be revealed to the minds of humanity, illuminating the depth of our hearts; that no matter the nature and number of our sin, all have fallen short of God's glory; whether in positioned in high places or lowly streets, every leader and every follower.

One day we all stand before Christ.
Asked how we have decided to live.
May it be said of many,
"You have chosen wisely".
That we not wait to enter in to the presence of God
But come to Him through repentance, while time is still available.
For the glory of God.

- PNC

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