Sunday, May 25, 2008

"Who is a God like You..."

There is a lovely passage in the book of Micah which I have been memorizing..."Who is a God like You who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:18-19)

This lovely scripture describes of course, the one and true God, Jesus Christ. How many religions are there out there who have a god who is angry with His subjects? He tells them that they must strive after unattainable goals and entry into heaven is at his whim? Or a god who says that your husband will decide this??

I have been very captivated by the recent news regarding the Fundamental Mormons in Texas. Prior to these happenings, I have been reading about them and already had gotten a book "Escape" written by Carolyn Jessop who literally escaped from this false religion several years ago. Her story really grabbed my interest- she was forced to marry a man 30 years older than she when she was only 18. Then, she was repeatedly raped by him and bore him 8 children in 15 years. She describes the life of being his 4th wife and the family dynamic as he continued to add other wives. He never loved her. He only seemed to see her as a piece of meat and an object to conquer. Why did she stay? It was the only religion she had ever known. She was taught that she had to be his wife if she had any hope of entering heaven. They are taught that only a worthy man can decide if she will be elevated in heaven or be a slave. Finally, Carolyn came to the end of her tolerance of this situation. Her husband had not only been verbally and emotionally abusive to her, but had also become physically violent towards her as well. She was scared to leave her children for fear of how they would be treated by other wives. Five years ago, she left in the early morning hours and took all of her children.

I say all of that to say this...I am so grateful to know Truth! Jesus Christ gave Himself for me, that I might enter heaven on HIS merit, not my own! There is no way I could ever merit heaven or be good enough. He has provided a way! He is a God like no other! He wants so desperately to pardon our sins! He is so longsuffering, gracious and compassionate! No earthly person has any authority to decide where I spend eternity except me...I only must trust in His finished work on the cross! He has done it all. He so much longs to hurl our sins far away never to be remembered again! If you are saved and know this truth, take a moment to thank God for it!

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