The Debt I Could Not Pay

By Heather Allen –

Last week my son Noah and I had a conflict of interests. I was interested in him obeying.  He was interested in playing and ignored what I asked him to do. After ten minutes of discussion and internal prayer, I sat him down. I looked into his bright teary eyes and told him the consequences of his continued disobedience: a week without any video games.

The week before this fairly normal event, I read through a few pages of parenting tips.  On occasion I have given a consequence and then released my child in order to show what mercy is. But one of the tips I read took that idea a step further, encouraging parents to take their children’s consequences from time to time. As much as I like Tetris, it is a rarity for me to play video games. But my, oh my how I love a hot bath after a long day.

I looked at his sad face and felt compassion. I said I would take his discipline. I would forego a pleasure bath for one week. Honestly, I am not sure what response I was hoping for, but  he smiled and said, “You mean I can play video games?”  I repeated what redemption is, and why we need it. I thought about pulling out a dry erase board for some illustrations. He looked so happy. Surely, he does not understand how much I like baths!

I did not expect my older children, lingering nearby, to offer to take the consequences by giving up what was important to them. One thought ran through my head as I asked them to join us at the table—I should have thought this through.  I felt we were standing on the brink of great spiritual understanding and I was not sure which direction to go.

If I were having this conversation with God, what would he emphasize? I spent moments throughout the day thinking about this.

I talked to my husband about it as I climbed into bed and kept talking as he snored. Do I remind Noah that his sin costs more than a bath and an apology? Does God remind me of my sin to reveal his salvation?

Romans 7:7 says we know what sin is because of the law. The Ten Commandments are the law. If we break one of these, we have broken them all. Saying sorry does not cover it.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in his blood” (Romans 3:23-25, NIV).

Sometimes I will be able to carry my children’s consequences but I cannot atone for their sin. Correction can be used to show children their need for a Savior, even if it takes awhile for them to understand. In our case, it meant showing Noah that God’s word says children are to obey their parents. When he chooses not to, he not only disobeys me, he disobeys God.

When he understands he has sinned against God, my son can also understand there is a consequence. The consequence of his sin is death. The only one who can cover this debt is Christ. And He already has.

God exposes sin, to reveal his love. Christ died to pay a debt I could not. Salvation is miraculous and beautiful only to those who know how badly they need it. The law exposes sin and grace covers it, remembering it no more.

“Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him” (Romans 4:7-8, NIV).

Heather Allen spends most of her time caring for her hubby and three kids.  Check out her blog at http://www.thebloodknot.blogspot.com.

Longing for a Better Country – A Heavenly One

By Heather Allen –

“Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you” (Revelation 3:2-3, NIV). Read more

Could Love Be My Forte?

By Heather Allen –

Love is not my forte. But I am clearly not alone. I was practically run over by a monster truck. While slowing down to make a turn, I inconvenienced him. His wild gesturing and finger raising left me with that impression anyway. The word love is used to encompass many feelings, but rarely shows up in its true form. I am guilty of this. I have professed a love for Ben & Jerry’s. Ice cream is much easier to love than the crazy man riding my bumper. Read more

Saying Sorry

By Heather Allen –

Today was a rough day.  My response was irritation.  I answered my children’s arguments in sharp staccatos.  I expected them to be grateful and quiet.  That did not happen, so I escaped to the backyard with my blanket and Bible.  I mentally numbered their transgressions.  When I searched for the right verse, to put things in perspective, I was deeply disappointed to find Proverbs 12:16. Read more

Intervention

By Heather Allen- 

When I was six I was overcome. I knelt down and confessed that I sinned, regularly, I needed someone who would intervene. I became a teenager. I wrestled with staying home from the parties that would spiral into intoxication and sensuality. Not because I wanted to go, but because I didn’t want to be left out. But then five drunken lives are permanently altered as their car runs off the road and headlong into a tree. Three are dead, two shattered, and my public school turned into a funeral home. The consequences of compromise are far worse than being alone. Weeks after death and regret, the parties kick up again. The pattern repeats. God stands near to the broken, will we turn, will we bid He intervene?

I become an adult. I look for a new pattern. Surely the church is transformed. Surely believers extend their arms. Surely, we the beloved of God flood love on all that is broken. But it is not so, and the mildew starts here in my own hearth. Growing from an insecure doubt that I am not who God says.

The foundation has been laid. Years and years ago. But human insecurity never quits whispering “You are not enough, you will never be enough.” I hold hands with the enemy inclining my head in agreement. “So here is the plan, look around you…you’re better than that guy over there, but you’re a loser compared to her. She would never be your friend, so just ignore her.” And it turns out that he has substance to spare, and she is hurting for a true friend.

My daughter and I take a drive. She abruptly turns to me “When we seek God’s glory we find our empty, lonely emotions overcome by the jolting purposefulness of living in God’s plan.” Is serving God, by loving others, worth trading for the emptiness found in seeking what’s best for self?

We sojourn together you and I, traversing the dusty Earth roads. Will we trip one another, or will we grab hold and run together? Will we live the beautiful blessing of discipleship and fellowship? Will we be the Pharisee or the Good Samaritan? Will we stop to help the ones left to die alone? Will we follow the Pharisee who uttered all the right words and never put them into practice, or will we be the Samaritan who cared more for a broken man than his own reputation, wallet, or time?

A few weeks ago, I walked by a woman who needs my friendship in order to chat with the friend I want. I felt a pinch in my spirit. I appealed for God’s strength to love others better than myself. He reminded me that small deeds of kindness are weightier than I fathom. Intervention in one life affects eternity. Christ made himself of no reputation in order to save us. So when He says “follow me” He is asking us to live from the knowledge that we are loved, valuable, and worth redeeming. This is home. A grounding point from which we find the stability and support to love our fellow traveler.

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