Terry Ulm, Shepherd
Terry has the gift of teaching and encourages us each week, around Thursday, with gleanings from his study and time with the Word.
IT’S TOO LATE
Scripture tells the life-stories of some for whom it is too late. Abraham pleads for Sodom and Gomorrah who chooses not to repent and perishes. Korah and his household were “swallowed up” because he chose rebellion over obedience. Jesus’ disciple Judas after his betrayal chose death instead of grace. Lucifer, who chose his own kingdom over “captain of the heavenly host” in the kingdom of the heavens under his Creator. Cast out of heaven with a new name, Satan, he awaits his ultimate destruction at the feet of Jesus, who began His work with the Resurrection, and will finish it when He returns to make all things new. Yes, there are those for whom it is too late.
By their own choosing.
There are also life-stories of those who discover that it's not too late. Adam with the birth of Seth. Abraham when Isaac is born. Rahab when Jericho is destroyed. Ruth at the feet of Boaz. Solomon’s birth to David and Bathsheba. Judah’s remnant at the end of its “double for all her sins” (Isaiah 40:2). The call to a teenaged Mary. The call of Matthew the tax collector. Zacchaeus. The woman at the well. The Centurion’s son. The woman taken in adultery. Barabbas. The thief crucified at the right hand of Jesus. When it comes to the grace of God, it is never too late. When it comes to Jesus, it is never too late.
There is a story we all know in Luke 15. It is of a wealthy father and his two sons. The older son chose to be about his father’s business. The younger chose to be on his own, out of his father’s sight, and out of his father’s care. The demand granted, as we all know he loses all that he has been given by making all his own decisions, spending it all on every imagined pleasure. He comes to the end of his resources. The end of himself. All hope is lost. It’s too late for me. So, he hired himself out to a citizen of the country who sent him out to feed pigs. He is in want.
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father” (Luke 15:17ff NIV).
It was too late to be a son, but it’s not too late to late to be a servant, and I will not be in want. Light at the end of the tunnel, but not the fulfillment of the promises of God. His father had a different idea:
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him…‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (Luke 15:20…24).
Compassion. Restoration. Grace. Sonship. Have you ever felt like it’s too late? I’ve gone too far. I’ve done too much. I’ve made too many mistakes. Do not give up! Stand with Abraham, Rahab, Ruth, Matthew, the woman at the well, and the thief at Jesus’ right side, “while it is still called today” (Hebrews 3:13).
As long as there is breath in our lungs, with Jesus it’s never too late. April 12, 2018
Scripture tells the life-stories of some for whom it is too late. Abraham pleads for Sodom and Gomorrah who chooses not to repent and perishes. Korah and his household were “swallowed up” because he chose rebellion over obedience. Jesus’ disciple Judas after his betrayal chose death instead of grace. Lucifer, who chose his own kingdom over “captain of the heavenly host” in the kingdom of the heavens under his Creator. Cast out of heaven with a new name, Satan, he awaits his ultimate destruction at the feet of Jesus, who began His work with the Resurrection, and will finish it when He returns to make all things new. Yes, there are those for whom it is too late.
By their own choosing.
There are also life-stories of those who discover that it's not too late. Adam with the birth of Seth. Abraham when Isaac is born. Rahab when Jericho is destroyed. Ruth at the feet of Boaz. Solomon’s birth to David and Bathsheba. Judah’s remnant at the end of its “double for all her sins” (Isaiah 40:2). The call to a teenaged Mary. The call of Matthew the tax collector. Zacchaeus. The woman at the well. The Centurion’s son. The woman taken in adultery. Barabbas. The thief crucified at the right hand of Jesus. When it comes to the grace of God, it is never too late. When it comes to Jesus, it is never too late.
There is a story we all know in Luke 15. It is of a wealthy father and his two sons. The older son chose to be about his father’s business. The younger chose to be on his own, out of his father’s sight, and out of his father’s care. The demand granted, as we all know he loses all that he has been given by making all his own decisions, spending it all on every imagined pleasure. He comes to the end of his resources. The end of himself. All hope is lost. It’s too late for me. So, he hired himself out to a citizen of the country who sent him out to feed pigs. He is in want.
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father” (Luke 15:17ff NIV).
It was too late to be a son, but it’s not too late to late to be a servant, and I will not be in want. Light at the end of the tunnel, but not the fulfillment of the promises of God. His father had a different idea:
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him…‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (Luke 15:20…24).
Compassion. Restoration. Grace. Sonship. Have you ever felt like it’s too late? I’ve gone too far. I’ve done too much. I’ve made too many mistakes. Do not give up! Stand with Abraham, Rahab, Ruth, Matthew, the woman at the well, and the thief at Jesus’ right side, “while it is still called today” (Hebrews 3:13).
As long as there is breath in our lungs, with Jesus it’s never too late. April 12, 2018
