Corona Devo 1912

Ever play tag when you were little?  I can remember the chaos and frenzy of being chased.  I can remember feeling fear in wondering if I would get tagged and then sometimes getting caught off guard and getting tagged when I wasn't even suspecting it.

You never really knew if you were safe.  And usually...you weren't.

But--if you had one hand or foot on "base", then...you were golden.  You were safe and there was no tagging you out.  No fear, no surprises, just safety and peace because if you were touching "base", then you were safe no matter what.

~~~

Life with or without Jesus cannot (really) be compared to a game of tag.  Or can it?  

As we read Hebrews Chapter 10, we find that there are some similarities.

Before Jesus Christ came (humanly) into the world...sacrifices were needed in order for people to be forgiven.  God is (so) holy, and we (sinful people) could not be reconciled to Him without a sacrificial offering being made.  Sheep, doves, bulls, wheat, and other items were sacrificed to pay for our sins.  

But then Jesus came to earth, born as a babe in a Nazarene manger and He grew up to be the Son of Man, and He would give His life as a sacrifice for ours.  Jesus would be the ultimate sacrifice.  The once-for-all reconciliation propitiation.  

And if we are touching Jesus with our heart, with our spirit, or with our prayers, then we are safe. It was God's good plan that Jesus would be our "base".   And if we have one hand or foot on our "Jesus base", then...we are golden.  We are safe and accepted and loved and there is no tagging us out, even if we do fall to sin once in a while.  We can't get tagged by the enemy, because our "base" is Jesus, and as long as we stay connected to Him, we're golden.  

No fear, no surprises, just safety and peace because if we are "touching" Jesus, then we will be safe no matter what.

And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.  

And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. (20) By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. (21) And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, (22) let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.  

(23) Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. (24) Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. (25) And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.  ~Hebrews 10:19-25

~~~

We are safe in Jesus and with Jesus.  (Keep one hand on Him!  He always has one hand outstretched to us!)

But what if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth?

Yikes.  If we are purposely ignoring the truth, and the reality and the judgement of Jesus... then we had better lookout!  

If we are making poor and sinful choices, then we are not safe, and there is no sacrifice that will cover us. 

Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. (27) There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. 

(28) For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. (29) Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us.

(30) For we know the one who said, “I will take revenge. I will pay them back.”  

He also said, “The Lord will judge his own people.” (31) It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.  ~Hebrews 10:26-31

Life lived without God and living in opposition to Him has the markings and cut-and-dry outcomes of tag.  Without God we live in a chaotic state because God's order is missing from our relationships, decisions, and outcomes.

If we are experiencing the frenzy of being chased, or if we wonder (and worry) that we will be "tagged" and taken out because we are not connected to Jesus...the answer (Jesus says), is, "Yes".  And that will be a tragic "game over" for those of us who do not seek or understand God's opportunity and consequence of trampling on the Son of God.

And when we are separated (from God) and not pursuing Jesus, then we run the life-altering risk of staying that way.   In this there will be fear, negative-unknowns, lack-of-safety and no-peace because we are not touching God, Who is our "base".

~~~

Friends, if we have to wonder if we are "safe" or not, then there is a problem, and it could be an eternal one.  

Don't let it be.

Do we have one hand or foot on the "base" of Jesus Christ?  And if we have wandered away from His base, or if we are in a defiant jog around His perimeter...come back while there is still time.

Let's rekindle the fire of our early faith.  Following Jesus can be hard and even persecuting, but there is no greater reward.

(32) Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. (33) Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. (34) You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.  

(35) So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! (36) Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.  

(37) “For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay.  (38) And my righteous ones will live by faith.  But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”  

(39) But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.  ~Hebrews 10:18-39

Let this be us, Lord.  

By simple prayer, or by devout faith...let's do all that we can to keep one hand or foot on our "Jesus-base", and then...we are golden.  

We can be safe (forever) with Jesus and (even if we fall to sin) we (remain) in Him forever, and there is no tagging us out.  

No fear, no surprises, just safety and peace because if we are touching Jesus Christ as our "base", then we are safe no matter what.

Blessings,  
sarah  
https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com