At The Edge of a Spiritual Cliff

"How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gather her chicks under her wings, bu you were not willing."

—Jesus

One of the greatest fears of many people in America today is the looming "fiscal cliff."

If you really want to hit people where they live, mess with their money. Nothing strikes fear in the heart of man more than the prospect of losing all they have materially and financially.

But what about the prospect of being spiritually bankrupt?

Like I did for most of my adult life, most people feel that they are "just fine."

"I'm a good person" you say.

"I don't murder people or rob banks" they reason.

And yet, I believe that most people feel a growing sense of uneasiness today. A growing awareness that everything is not okay in this nation, and in this world. An increasing feeling of trepidation that something big, something horrific, is going to happen one day soon.

But instead of looking within and acknowledging that the real problem is in the heart of man, people point the finger at each other.

"We inherited this mess!"

The recent school tragedy in Connecticut, the looming fiscal cliff, the rapidly increasing downward-spiral of morality in this country—these are all symptoms of a much deeper cause.

It's a spiritual problem.

In His admonition to some people who also thought they were 'just fine' Jesus said:

"Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see." (Revelation 3:17-18)

You could spend a couple of days discussing the full theological meaning behind the four sections of this passage. But the basic message from Jesus here is, 'You think you're just fine, but you're spiritually dead. You think you're enlightened and can see things clearly, but your sin and pride has blinded you to the Truth.'

Like He is saying to an entire planet today, Jesus was saying to these spiritually dead, arrogant and pridefully blinded people that they are not "fine" and they desperately need Him.

The Savior of the world.

But most people will not surrender their pride, their hearts, and their hurts to Jesus Christ. They will not take the loving Hand that is freely outstretched to all men, offering them the free gift of salvation, found only in Him.

They refuse to see and acknowledge that they have a spiritual problem

And for another nation 2,000 years ago, who arrogantly rejected His love, He bitterly wept for them:

"O' Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gather her chicks under her wings, bu you were not willing." (Matthew 23:37)

Some people think the message of salvation in Christ alone is hateful. That's it's based on fear, and not on love.

What about you?

If you saw someone walking towards the edge of a cliff, but could not see it coming, wouldn't you frantically warn them of the imminent danger that lies in their path?

Of course you'd warn them.

You'd do it out of love and concern for the person.

America and the rest of the world are at the edge of a spiritual cliff.

Many people are blinded to the path that they are on.

They can't see what's coming.

Hear the heart of Jesus today...

"Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see."

It's His message of Love.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, and that whosoever will believe in Him shall not perish—but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

—God is Love, and Love Never Fails.