It wasn’t a typical day in this small farming area. Everyone and I mean everyone
had done double duty all week, so they could catch the big show rolling through town.
How often is anything free and guaranteed to last a lifetime.
The atmosphere was right
for something spectacular to take place. Lights of all colors were swirling throughout
the venue bouncing against the waves of booming brass as anticipation mounted and
expectation grew in the hearts and minds of everyone in attendance.
Then suddenly,
everything went dark and the reverberating sounds of big time brass went silent.
Gracious! it was like your heart stopped beating. A big spotlight circled the arena
showing quick glimpses of the many faces to finally rest in the middle of everything.
Before
their eyes stood the ringmaster attired in a bright red, gaudy topcoat and tails,
trimmed with gold. His eyes pierced the crowd and without hesitation, he spoke with
a loud boisterous voice, “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages.
Welcome one and all to the Greatest Show on Earth. Today you will see an ordinary
man transformed, spirit, soul and body, before your very own eyes.”
Awaiting the applause
to silence, he broke in loudly saying, “In ring number one we have an unredeemed
body, with the same desires that it had in this world. The price has been paid in
full for it’s redemption, but it will not receive liberation until the future.” Phil
3:20-
A quick slap of his whip, he announced with much intensity, “In ring number
two we have his soul. After receiving the free gift of salvation through faith in
the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and as he matures and grows in the Lord
(sanctification), he will notice changes in the way he thinks. His heart (soul) is
growing more and more into agreement with God and His law (which is spiritual), but
his flesh will still want to go the way of this world.” Paul sums it up quite well
in Romans. “I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my
members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the
law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me
from this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with
the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” Romans
7:21-
He raised his arms, as though, directing a symphonic orchestra and with
great enthusiasm said, ”Ladies and gentlemen, In ring number three we have the spirit
of man. When he was born again, his spirit became alive to God. The old sinful nature
was crucified and buried into death with Christ. Romans 6:6 says, “knowing this,
that our old man was crucified with Him…” and Col 3:3 declares, “For you died, and
your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, the most amazing part
of tonight’s show is the moment you put your faith in Jesus Christ, your born-
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