19 August 2009
There are two kinds of people. Those who are the children of God, and those who are the children of sin. Two families, and two destinies.
Everyone is born into the family of sin. In a letter written to encourage Christians, the apostle Peter describes the people in this family as "living in ignorance" (1 Peter 1:14) - he's not very complimentary!
But he uses these harsh words to draw out the strong contrast between the family of God, and the family of sin. Two families, and two very different worlds.
The amazing news for all of us trapped in the grimy, bitter, dissatisfying life of the family of sin is that there is a way out - escape is possible.
Through Jesus' death, all who trust in him can be "born out of" the family of sin, and "born again" into the family of God. It's a complete transfer - in Jesus our family has changed, our destiny has changed, our whole world has changed.
So Peter tells the Christians to look back on that past life when they "lived in ignorance" so that they might get going living their new life, living with eyes open, with a new wonderful Father God.
This offer of a family transfer, made possible by Jesus, is free to all. So why don't all take it?
Peter's answer: it's hard to see clearly when you're living in ignorance. Your perspective is totally warped and distorted.
Ignoring Jesus' offer of a "born again" life in the family of God to carry on in sin is like the boy at the buffet who fills himself up on stale bread rolls and watery soup, because he hasn't spotted the feast laid out on the next table.
It's like the caterpillar who is afraid to make a cocoon for himself because he doesn't know about the beautiful transformation into a butterfly that lies ahead.
It's like the man who is too busy to open a letter informing him that he has just inherited a fortune.
When it comes to Jesus, don't be ignorant, and don't ignore.
