4.14-
Thoughts about O. J. Simpson and lessons from life, death judgment and eternity.
The bestselling book of all time is The Bible with over 5 billion copies having been sold. One of the reasons it is a best seller is because it tells the truth about people and their creator.
It teaches that the final judgement of all people is not to be done by human beings who cannot know the secrets of the heart. That is known by God alone.
What
wise humans are directed to do is to observe the fruit of a tree and learn from noticing whether the fruit is good or bad. Justice and consequences of choices is often delivered in this life but not always. Hitler killed millions, but was able to kill himself without facing the justice on this side of death.
It is said the Bible that after death comes the judgement for all of us. Great Bible figures like David and Paul saw themselves as great sinners saved by an even greater grace from God who is full of compassion and mercy.
Up to the year 65 A.D. Paul who expressed his own sinfulness by saying the was the worst of sinners and if God could save him that God could save anyone. Paul violently killed Christians for standing up for their own faith in Jesus. He changed and did what he could to help people to learn from his own life about the grace of God.
David, the most famous of all the Kings of Israel, said that his sins were constantly were a memory of deep pain except for the promise of the mercy and grace of His God. He had killed the husband of one of his sexual partners get rid of a problem by making a bigger problem. Yet, by his confrontation and repentance he became an example of God’s mercy and so many people are named David today because he became beloved by people down through history.
The question about the behavior of public figures is can they confess the failure and throw themselves before eternity and appeal to the mercy of God. David did.
The world’s best selling book reminds us that In eternity, all of the people there in the presence of a pure and holy God will be there by His grace and mercy. Whether, it is David, or Paul or O. J. Simpson or anyone else. It depends upon being honest and turning to the truth that sets us free. Can I be honest today with God and others about my own need?
O. J. Simpson’s death reminds me of the need to thank God for His grace and mercy available to all of us.
Larry Wishard
4.12.24
1 Timothy 1.
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
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