REWARD!!!!

That word really catches your eye, doesn't it? REWARD!!! This past Sunday evening I had the opportunity to speak to some teens at Red Mountain Youth Camp. I had never really spoke to teens and didn't know what to expect. I remember really looking up to the adults that were involved at camp when I grew up. Well I spoke on having an "extreme faith" in God. I felt pretty good but I found that, with kids, you can't judge your performance on their reaction! It was fun though and I truly hope to get more involved with this camp.
This week in preparing for my Life Group, I have been studying Romans 8 where Paul is talking about how we are in "bondage to decay." I have fallen into the trap so many times trying to figure out "why" things happen in my life. I have always tried to give a logical (or at least reasonable) explanation as to why things happen.
Paul explains it so perfectly. Basically, from the moment we are born, we begin to die. Because man chose to sin, our days are immediately numbered from the moment we take our first breath. God did not want it that way, but without free will, we would have no hope. If you have everything you want, you have nothing to hope for. Once I am in Heaven, I will not need hope any longer. My purpose will have been fulfilled. Until then, I will have hope.
Now, I can choose what to have hope in. I can hope for better health. I can hope for better finances. I can hope that my children grow up healthy and happy. None of these things are guaranteed. Why because I was born. I was born a sinner and I will die that way. My only true hope is that which comes from knowing Jesus.
Read Romans 8. You'll see that "the Law" established by God in the beginning was an unattainable goal. No one can follow all of the rules. We are physically incapable of doing everything right all the time. Jesus came to this world and became the sacrifice that we could never be. A sacrifice to God is supposed to be the best we have to offer. It should be "without blemish." Therein lies our problem. Until we understand that we are covered in blemishes and Jesus, by choice, sacrificed himself because we could never live up to it. In return, he asks that we follow him, worship him and do His will.
He gave up His life for mine. I need to return the favor.