"Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has
been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was
to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice
of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning
because he has been born of God." (1 John 3:8-9)
A few years ago, I
heard about an international company that was looking for a new director
of marketing.
The position was a lucrative one and many
applicants came forward to be interviewed. Eventually, the candidates
were narrowed down to two finalists. Each of those men was brought in
for a short and final visit. They were asked the same question: "What is
two plus two?"
The first candidate thought a bit about his
answer. He was wise enough to know that there had to be some kind of
deeper purpose behind such a simple question. Eventually, he answered:
"The answer to two plus two is four ... or we could also say it is the
number between 3 and 5."
The man was thanked for his time and
escorted out.
The second individual was invited in for his
interview. The same question was asked of him: "What is two plus two?"
Without hesitation, the man replied with a question of his own. He
asked, "Tell me what you want the answer to be, and I will make it so."
That fellow, and not the first, was hired.
It occurs to me
that in some respects that story is the story of our lives. Whether we
are conscious of it or not, we are all interviewing somebody whom we can
spiritually follow: somebody into whose hands we can and will place our
futures.
There are two candidates. The Lord says, "Put yourself
in My hands. I can tell you the difference between right and wrong. I
can lead you to faith in My Son, who gave Himself so you might be
forgiven and saved. In Jesus your life can be blessed and your eternity
will be assured."
But there is a second candidate for our
loyalty.
When we bring this one in and ask why we should follow
him, he says, "Tell me what you want the answer to be, and I will give
it to you."
Tragically, far too many people hire the devil right
then and there. That's because his promises seem so good, so beneficial,
so desirable. Only the passing of time shows they have been duped by the
"father of lies" (see John 8:44).
This is why I encourage you to
follow the Lord. Only He has shown the kind of love that can forgive
your sins, redeem your soul, and grant you all you really need ... not
want ... but need.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, Satan's seductions seem
to promise satisfaction. May we be given eyes of faith that expose his
falseness. Further, may we be granted the ability to trust in Jesus, who
alone can give us what we need. In the Savior's Name. Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus
Lutheran Hour Ministries All rights reserved;
not to be duplicated without permission.
