You Keep That

Intro:

The other day, my mom asked me to try milk that she said tasted funny:

1. Milk products congest my sinuses

2. Why would I taste something someone has suggested, has gone rotten?

I told her, That's okay, I trust you; it's gone bad if it tastes bad.  

Outro: 

We don't have to taste what has gone rotten; our nostrils will flare, coupled with the sense of smell, to warn us to steer clear of what is inedible and unfit for consumption:

1. Learn from other people's bad experience

2. Why risk exposure to tastebud insult, and possible stomach upset?

Transferring the topic: 

Sin can be sniffed out, it can be tasted and leave a nasty flavour on the soul, but it can also be detected and one, say you, or I, can decide, No no, you keep that, I am not interested in tasting and trying, and running the risk of soul rot. 

Jesus died for the sins of the world, and those that believe in him as their Saviour, do not have to taste the wasting and rotting of their being, while in this world, or in the next; this said, it is the sinners that do not see anything wrong with defiling themselves without an ounce of repulsion, that will not be relieved of their own stench. In other words: Jesus will say to those that tasted and tried and indulged wickedness without regret, remorse and repentance, You keep that sin, it is all yours. 

Here is what Matthew Henry has to say on the matter: 

... the appointment of God concerning Christ... he must be once offered, to bear the sins of many, of all the Father had given to him, of all who should believe in his name. He was not offered for any sin of his own; he was wounded for our transgressions. God laid on him the iniquity of all his people; and these are many, though not so many as the rest of mankind; yet, when they are all gathered to him, he will be the first-born among many brethren, Matthew Henry, Acts to Revelation, Volume 6, page 749. 

Jesus was tempted but never touched, nor tasted sin; he bore sin for us, and while it is true he died for the sins of the world, it is only those that look to him for their salvation, that are relieved of their burden of guilt. Let us take a glimpse at life and death for a moment, found on the same page mentioned in the last paragraph: 

The appointment of God concerning men contains in it two things: - (1.) That they must once die, or, at least, undergo a change equivalent to death. It is an awful thing to die, to have the vital knot loosed or cut asunder, all relations here dropped at once, an end put to our probation and preparation state, and to enter into another world. It is a great work, and it is a work that can be but once done, and therefore had need to be well done. This is matter of comfort to the godly, that they shall die well and die but once; but it is matter of terror to the wicked, who die in their sins, that they cannot return again to do that great work better. (2.) It is appointed to men that after death they shall come to judgment, to a particular judgment immediately after death; for the soul returns to God as to its judge, to be determined to its eternal state; and men shall be brought to the general judgment. at the end of the world. This is the unalterable decree of God concerning men - they must die, and they must be judged. It is appointed to them, and it is to be believed and seriously considered by them, Matthew Henry. 

Now try to tell me that we aren't beings unto death; and try too, to share your escape plan to ensure eternal in your current body, life. Of course I jest, but isn't it so, that people thumb their noses at death, mock the consequences of sin, and deny eternal life either as a damned one, or a saved by Christ one? 

I heard about a young woman that abruptly died recently. She was 26 or 27. Of a sudden, she did not feel well, and had a seizure. Her mother called an ambulance and in the ambulance, her life ended. It truly is, an awful thing, to die, to have the vital knot loosed and cut asunder, with all relations dropped at once, and enter into another world. I did not know that girl; what I do know, is her soul went somewhere when it was rudely ripped from her body, and I can only hope, it went to heaven, and that her sins did not damn her and send her to hell eternal, where there are no second, third, fourth chances, to get life, and death right, before the living Judge, known as God Almighty. 

2 Timothy 4:1

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom...

In the verse provided, Paul is exhorting believers to share the gospel, to charge them with the duty, of rebuking and warning sinners, about the coming judgment of the quick and the dead. We, you and me, the girl that died, and every human being quick (alive) or dead, will face our Maker, and my question to you, is this: 

Is the blood of the lamb of God, your cleansing from sin agent? Jesus shed his innocent blood for you: do you say to him, You keep that, or do you tremble at the thought of innocence being murdered on your behalf, and with weeping, thank him on your knees, for what he has accomplished on your behalf?  

Sin that is not repented of, separates us from the Saviour of our souls. 

We end our time together with a sentence selected and noted above, from Matthew Henry;

This is matter of comfort to the godly, that they shall die well and die but once; but it is matter of terror to the wicked, who die in their sins, that they cannot return again to do that great work better, Matthew Henry.