Some
of you may remember the old television show, “kids say the
darnedest things” with Art Linkletter. The show was aptly named,
for those kids really did say things that made you think about human
nature. This picture is just like that: It makes ME think how God
changes you; you do new things, think in new ways, interact with
others differently – the old stuff, well, you simply do not live
like that any longer. The Bible says…
2
Corinthians 5:17 ( World
English Bible
)
[17]
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old
things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.
What
things? Well, the Bible has a lot to say about that, but lets just
look at a couple of lists.
Galatians
5 ( WEB )
[16]
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of
the flesh. [17] For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the
Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that
you may not do the things that you desire. [18] But if you are led by
the Spirit, you are not under the law. [19] Now the works of the
flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality,
uncleanness, lustfulness, [20] idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife,
jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, [21]
envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of
which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who
practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
Galatians
5 ( WEB )
[22]
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faith,* or, faithfulness [23] gentleness, and self-control.
Against such things there is no law. [24] Those who belong to Christ
have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
[25] If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit. [26]
Let’s not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one
another.
The
Bible refers to the way we live as a “walk”. We can either do
what we want to do without regard to consequences or try to please
God. The first is an “anything goes” lifestyle and the life that
wants to follow God is “walking by the Spirit”. Compare the
lists, think about the consequences, both now and forever. Make a
choice, but be careful, this earthly life won’t be forever.
One
more thing… Jesus said:
Matthew
19 ( WEB )
[13] Then little children were brought to him, that he should lay his
hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. [14] But
Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to
come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.”
You
know – The longer I look at that picture, it just makes more and
more sense to me! I thank God every day for what he has done in my
life.
Goodbye
pumpkin patch!