“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:5-8
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” James 1:12-15
Mr. Simeon was hit by a hit and run driver and left for dead until his human rescuer drove by and realized he was alive and got him up off the road and hauled him off. Miss Mercy was probably hit by a truck and brought to an animal shelter where she would likely have been euthanized given the severity of her injury and pain. Both dogs all these years later are happy, healthy, and love their new lives. But when it comes to trucks, Miss Mercy has learned her lesson well. NEVER AGAIN!
I wish I could say we humans learn all our lessons well. Miss Mercy went the wrong way and did the wrong thing by getting away from her owner and landing herself in the middle of a road. But when it comes to us humans going the wrong way and doing the wrong thing, getting away from God and His will and ways, some of us just keep on keeping on. No matter how many “trucks” we get “hit by” because of our sin and rebellion against the Lord, we refuse to repent and turn to God and do what’s right in His eyes. If only when temptation comes our way we would do as Miss Mercy does when it comes to trucks. Stop. Freeze. And, in our cases, we need to run the other way! Into the loving, merciful arms of the Lord!
A reminder to all of us when temptation comes barreling toward us! May we run for our lives – to the Lord! Away from the temptation, away from the sin, into God’s everlasting arms! Into His perfect will for our lives! Into His love, mercy, and grace that awaits! AMEN!
