Our salvation only comes from one Source, and it begins with recognizing that we are born into sin because of Adam. His sinful nature and the penalty of sin, which is death, are inherited by all humanity. God, in His love, sent His son, Jesus, to pay the price for sin, every Man’s sin. But here’s the issue: not all men believe!
Romans 5:18-20
Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.
1 John 2:2
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
Not all men believe they have sin in their lives. In fact, many love sin. Before I was saved, I loved sin! If sin were a garden, I watered and fertilized mine. I hated the thought of hanging out with men of faith because I wanted to have fun. Like most men, I preferred playing in the dark than in the light. In the depths of my soul, I knew sin was wrong, but I hung on, worried that righteousness demanded too much. Righteousness would require too much. Men of God were just too religious and judgmental, and that just wasn’t me! But, just like all of us, we have a good, good Father. Despite my rebellion and denial, God had a plan. God’s patience and love never fail. In my mind, my sin was controlled and hidden. Yet, in my Father’s eyes, no sin is controlled or hidden. Yes, sin is often concealed from your neighbors, coworkers, and friends, but in God’s eyes, nothing is hidden. Not only is it not hidden, but He knows that if sin is not dealt with, it will destroy us and, worst of all, lead to eternal separation from our Father in Heaven.
Consequently, in His love, God brought a storm in my life. Yes, storms can be gifts to His children. This storm stopped me in my tracks and brought me to my knees. The only place I could turn was to Him! Whether God brought it or allowed it, He was the only One Who could correct it. My eyes were opened! My hidden sin and its path of destruction became fully evident to me. Like so many who play with sin, it darkens their thinking so they believe that no one believes He knows. All things are evident to Him! So, He needed to purge it out of my life. While I never considered where this sin was taking me, God knew it would kill me! In His grace and love, He corrected my steps. He showed me that I needed a Savior! So, what do wheat and weeds have in common with us men?
Romans 6:21-23
What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Men, we are all sinners in need of a Savior. My sin may be more or less than yours. Regardless, we have all fallen short. When we are saved, we need to consider that wheat and weeds do grow together. Matthew 13:27-28 says, “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.” As we grow in Christ, we must remember that the weeds also grow – sin. But we are called to be examples, standing in Truth, always willing to tell others about what God has done for us. We must also remember that, as wheat, we have no control over the harvest and its timing. Simply stated, we are the wheat, and men living in sin who have denied the need for a Savior are the weeds. At some point, the Farmer will come and separate the wheat from the weeds. Remember, you were once a weed! Many couldn’t tell if you were wheat or weeds, but God knew. God is in charge of the harvest; we aren’t. We are growing among other godly men as wheat. Like wheat, we are to feed others and show them God’s Truth as someone did for us when we were growing as weeds. Never take pride in your wheat position because it was only through God’s grace that He saved you, and always remember that when you were a weed, you needed God’s grace like others do now. The harvest will come, and we should want all men to receive the grace of God as we have so that at the harvest, they avoid being collected and tossed into the fire (hell).
Matthew 3:12
He will “gather His wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Like you, I want to be gathered into the ‘barn’ (Heaven) with the other wheat and men who desire the same. They just need to know they have a Good Father who wants to transform them from weeds to wheat.
S.L. Thomas, RTM