Cheater!!

Imagine with me for a minute a relationship that goes like this: Sweetheart, you are the love of my life. Will you marry me? I only ask that I can bring my former lovers to live with us. While I love you the most, I still love them too. You understand right?
How would you respond to this marriage proposal ? NO WAY!! Right? I love my wife. No way I’m sharing her with anyone! That’s sick. How about you?
Did you know that we have done this? Before you grab a rope to hang me with, let me work through this with you first. I’m only asking that as we do, be honest with yourself. Okay here we go. The message version of the Bible verse James 4:4-6 says: You’re cheating on God! If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies with God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn’t care? The proverb has it that “he’s a fiercely jealous lover”. And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find.
When Jesus gave his life for us, it was the ultimate act of love. So if we claim to be his, but then keep all of our old sins close to us, how is that different than bringing an ex to live with you and your spouse? Think about it. Jesus gave everything for me and you. Everything! What we bring so often is a half-hearted devotion. We still want to cling to at least one or two old sins. Am I right? I’m guilty. I’m ashamed of it too. I mean when I smash a finger at work, my first instinct is to cuss up a storm, not to praise God for it! Harmless right? What about when we let our thoughts linger a bit when we see someone attractive? Or when we don’t turn our cash in as income or……. It goes on. It’s like bringing our exes to live with our God!! He doesn’t deserve that! He is faithful. Shouldn’t we be?
Lord, you are so good! I’m sorry for bringing my old junk into our relationship! Please forgive me!

Have a blessed day!