[Biblemat] "Trapped"

[kenneth Thomas]

Trapped! 
Monkey trappers in North Africa have a clever method of catching their prey.
A number of gourds are filled with nuts and firmly fastened to a branch of a
tree. Each gourd has a hole just large enough for the unwary monkey to stick
his forepaw into it. When the hungry animal discovers the nuts, it quickly
grasps a handful, but the hole in the gourd is too small for him to withdraw
his clenched fist. All the monkey has to do is open up its hand and let go
in order to escape, but it refuses! So, it is easily taken captive.
Clinging tenaciously to treasures also plaques unsuspecting humans.. The
Bible teaches that this is the way that SIN "works." When we take hold of
Sin..... Sin takes hold of US! 
"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 1:13-15).
ALL of us have "taken the bait." "For ALL have sinned and fall short of the
glory of God" (Romans 3:23). And, we are "trapped" in the penalty box of sin
(Romans 6:23), unless Someone can free us.
Because of His great love for us, God sent His Son to deliver us from the
bondage of sin (John 3:16). Jesus died on the cross as full payment for our
sins. "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7).
In order to be delivered from the bondage of sin, we must "let go" of the
forbidden treasure and turn to Jesus... (the Bible calls this repentance, 2
Corinthians 7:9-10), and then in trusting faith (Acts 16:30-31), confess
that Jesus is the Son of God and the answer to our sin problem (Romans
10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) in Jesus’ name for the forgiveness of
our sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). 
Once delivered from the bondage of sin, we must continue to follow Jesus
faithfully lest we become entangled again in Satan’s trap (1 John 1:7, 2
Peter 2:20-22).
With his crafty devices, Satan continues to try to ensnare us. He appeals to
the appetites of the flesh that can lead to our spiritual downfall. As long
as we hold on to worldly bait, we cannot escape from Satan’s trap. Won’t YOU
"let go" of sin and cling to the Savior?
David A. Sargent, preacher -Via- Living Waters bulletin of the Creekwood
church of Christ. Copied by Kenneth E. Thomas
 
Kenneth E. Thomas
Pekin church of Christ
1451 Valle Vista Blvd.
Pekin, IL 61554
1 (309) 347-3582 - Office
1 (309) 347-5645 - Home
 
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