Encouragement

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March 23, 2002
Sat



Oh dead sinner when will you arise from your sleep? Saddened saint when will you be glad and rejoice? God's time of mercy does not last forever. There is a time appointed when each of us must face death. That is an appointment that we must all keep. "For as it is appointed unto man once to die but after this the judgment." Hebrews 9:27

You may have been late for your doctor's appointment. You may have been late for school or work but you will never be late for the appointment of death. That is one appointment you will be on time for. I have often reminded myself of this since I have had a problem with punctuality but it shall not be so when God is ready to lay me down to rest. I must be ready to meet my maker. I must be certain of my salvation and that is why the Scripture says be diligent and make your calling and election sure. (2 Peter 1:10)

Believer let me encourage you to think more highly of Christ than you do. Can you ever have too high of thoughts of the one who loved you and gave himself for you? (Ephesians 5:2)

In order to think more highly of Christ think often of your sins. See your miseries and you will see his joyfulness. See your failing and you will see Christ's success. See your weakness and you will see Christ's strength. Meditate upon your pride and then answer that with Christ's humility. Your imperfections with Christ's perfection. Notice the contrast.

Now there is a danger in meditating or studying your sin too much. Certainly do not grow proud or arrogant that you are worse than others. That is certainly nothing to be proud of but rather be ashamed. Be ashamed of that and each time you sin you do press the crown of thorns deeper into Christ's brow. Consider what it cost Christ for your salvation. It cost him nothing less than his agony of spending the equivalent of an eternity in hell for he bore the wrath of God. The wrath that we should have borne the wrath that is appointed to sinners he took upon himself. You will never be able to pay him for that. That is a debt that you will forever be in but you should always be grateful for such a marvelous salvation he has secured.

Think little of your achievements and more of Christ's accomplishments. We tend to compare ourselves with other people and think ourselves quite good and quite favorable because afterall we are not as bad as the other fellow over there who committed such and such a sin. Fact is it is the grace of God that enables us to do any thing that is good.






Carlton Pruitt ministers the gospel to the Los Angeles area. Formerly a Hollywood actor (SAG member)and junk removal expert he now spends most of his time studying the scriptures, writing articles, hymns and poems and doing street preaching.

See his videos on http://www.youtube.com Type LAStreetPreacher in the search bar. CONTACT at Carlton2061@gmail.

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