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| Picture taken from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ |
Whether it is teachers or fire fighters, that word that seems to have
slipped from the headlines is back with us. Strike! Large numbers of workers
have walked out of their employment for a day to register their discontent.
More are about to do the same. Why? Perhaps they wish to express their views
about Government plans – working hours, pay, pensions, etc. Perhaps it is an
expression of their growing frustration at never being listened to or
consulted. Perhaps they feel that their employer, or the Government, have gone
too far on this occasion and “enough is enough”. However, without being
critical, the real reason is that the strike is all about “me” – my wages, my
conditions of employment, my pension, my frustration, my isolation . . .
Human nature being what it is, we would all have to say that, to
varying degrees, we are “out for number 1”. We have to look after ourselves. As
adults, no one else will! I want what’s best for me. Most people are the same.
Those prepared to go on strike are looking to work together through strike
action to better their conditions, or, perhaps, just maintain the status quo
when it is under attack.
The word “sin” is also a word that has slipped from our vocabulary. We
used to talk about people “living in sin”. That meant they were “living
together” as man and wife without being married. Today that term has been lost.
However, put simply, sin is all about the letter at the centre of the word
itself – “I”. It’s all about me! When I go my own way rather than God’s way and
do what I want to do, often but not always at the expense of others, I am
sinning – acting in a way that brings me into conflict with God. I am a sinner.
As indicated above, I am by nature and practice in conflict with God.
The alarming thing is that I will have to answer for my sin. I will be held
accountable by God. So will you! However, for those who have accepted Jesus
Christ as their Saviour there is a way of escape from the penalty that will
follow our judgement for sin. In the death of Jesus Christ at Calvary 2000
years ago, a penalty was paid for sin. As a believer in Christ, I can say that
the penalty for my sin was borne by Christ. He took my place. He bore the condemnation
of God for my sin. I am relying upon him for salvation. What about you? Have
you turned your back upon a life lived for “me” and trusted Christ?
