The Untouchables

Issue 12          [April 4, 2010]

     Lets me direct your mind to a particular moment in time and briefly discuss Al Capone, and the man who put him behind bars; Elliot Ness. The group of people who brought him down were called “The Untouchables” because in Chicago they had the best law enforcement money could buy. This particular group of people could NOT be bought. These people were not for sale. I am simply borrowing the title to talk about something that God brought to my attention, and that I may bring it to yours.

     When God calls a person to be saved he uses conviction to prick their heart, they are remorseful for their sins, they go down to an old fashioned altar, repent , Baptized in Jesus Name, filled with the Holy-Ghost, speak in tongues as the spirit gives the utterance and their name is wrote in the lambs book of life. This is for those who God has pricked their heart.

     Now lets look at the other side of the coin. What about those who are never changed. King Agrippa told Paul “almost thou persuadest me to become a Christian”. There was a rich man that Jesus spoke to and when he told him to sell all that he owned and give to the poor, the man walked away because he had many possessions. The list goes on and on, but they are all in the same boat. They are “The Untouchables”. The can not be moved and they refuse to sell out to God. They pay the Devil to live for him but they wont allow God to pay them to live for Him. I’m sure if you’ve lived as a Christian for any length of time you have quite possibly met someone who was one of the untouchables. For what ever reason they just couldn’t give up the world and live for Jesus. Something was there too rooted in their heart to let go of.

     There are those who wouldn’t even give God a chance to work in their life and then there are others that may feel a prick and maybe even attempt to live for God. These are, like the parable spoke in the 4^th chapter of Mark.

^{Mk 4:14} The sower soweth the word.  ^{Mk 4:15} And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.  ^{Mk 4:16} And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;  ^{Mk 4:17} And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.  ^{Mk 4:18} And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,  ^{Mk 4:19} And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.  ^{Mk 4:20} And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirty fold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

     There are people who have even attended church but not totally give over to the Lord. There are those who change sides as the seasons change  throughout the year.

      What’s the most you will pay for a lunch or a dinner at a restaurant? $10, $20, $50 ? What will be the price you pay when you have the preacher for dinner? Your health, Your companion? Your children? Not to mention when you die your soul will burn for eternity.

      If for some reason you don’t understand everything he preaches, DO NOT have him for dinner. Never make them look bad in any way. You can NOT be saved without a preacher and they have to give an account for your soul.

      If a preacher corrects little Suzy or Little Johnny or maybe he bruises your ego, then swallow your feelings and thank God that he loves you enough to steer you in the right direction.

      A REAL parent will correct their child. A REAL parent that loves their child will keep them from doing things that will harm them later in their life. Would you allow your child to play with a loaded gun or maybe let your baby play with a bottle of bleach?

      When you truly love your child you will do things that are that child’s best interest. It may hurt their feelings or bruise their pride but when its all said and done, that child knows you love them and will return that love.

      What about those children who are never changed no matter how you work on them? There are children who can misbehave and you can beat their backside till they are within an inch of their life and they will immediately run back to the mud hole and do the same thing. Untouchable. . .

      As they get  older, you can plead and beg your children to turn from their ways. They’re on a road of self-destruction. They’re on the highway to Hell and running just as fast as they can travel.

      I have seen cases where God seemingly only dealt with someone only a couple of times and others he has dealt with ALL their life. I can’t explain why he takes some out after only 1 or 2 times and others (like me) he has dealt with time after time and showed mercy and grace unrelenting.

      As I lived as a backslider for 4 years I knew that every night I laid my head down that this could be the night that God removed his hand of mercy and let me go. That, my friend, was an endless nightmare. Waking up because the hounds of Hell were on my trail.

      If you are one who has never felt the power of God flowing thru your veins, or if you are one who has walked away from the plow, if you are breathing, then there may still be time.

      I hate to make this sound so carnal, but life can be like “Rolling The Bones”. You can roll the dice and roll the dice, but remember that every time you roll, it is your soul on the line and you never know when you will crap out. Never forget this: The house ALWAYS wins.

    If you are allowed to experience “truth” and you can feel God tugging at your heart, I BEG you please don’t turn him away. You never can tell if that will be one time too many.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Scripture For Your Basket:

Acts 26:27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 

Ac 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 

Ac 26:29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

Matthew 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 

Mt 19:18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 

Mt 19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

Mt 19:20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 

Mt 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 

Mt 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Editors Comments:

      Philosophical Question: If time travel were possible would you change your past? Me, I don't feel I would. Simply because I know the life I have been delivered from can be used to reach and rescue others like me from the pit of Hell (here and there). Would I go and relive those years? Dear God NO! As the song says "Too many miles behind me, too many trials are thru. . ."

     Remember that Getting ready and Staying ready are not the same thing. Call Jenny Craig, lose a few pounds and ride off into the sunset? No, you have to reach a healthy lifestyle and keep working at it. The same goes for a relationship, you don't "honeymoon it" for the rest of your life, it is a continual work in progress. A relationship with Jesus is the same, and oh yes, it is worth it!!

     Like a plane, when you get off course, God will redirect you for a safe landing, but if you pilot it yourself and "override" Him, you are guaranteed to hit the drink!