Without Excuse
Pastor Kennis P. Smith April 13th, 2008
When I was a child growing up, I enjoyed what seemed to me the very best that God Almighty has to offer on this earth. I had the great privilege of being brought up on the Sabine River bottom. There were amazing endless days of swimming in the summer. I can still remember how the cold river water felt when I would jump in from a high bluff. Laughing and swimming to the nearest sand bar. Enjoying the feel of the warm sand on my young body, chilled from the swim, that had been heated by the summer sun. Catching bass, catfish and perch then running for cover at the sound of approaching evening thunder storms that brought a welcome reprieve from the hot summer afternoons.
Then summer would give way to fall. Hunting squirrel, rabbit and buck deer with an old single shot twelve gauge shotgun that had been handed down from previous generations. Excited at what each new day would bring to the hardwood bottoms.
Then winter, firewood had to be cut and split. I can still see my Mom standing by the old wood stove and the smell of bacon and biscuits that would soon be devoured by eight hungry kids. The leaves were all gone from the oak and ironwood trees. The landscape took on a gray and what seemed a lifeless color. The winter rains would set in and the roads would become a muddy rutted mess that became a challenge for even the most daring of school bus drivers. We did not have electricity so video games and television did not consume our young minds. Looking back now I am very grateful for that because I may have missed out on those long rides on my Dads old stud horse named Cocklebur. Many times I would think that the winter season would never end. But like all winters before they eventually gave way to spring. In what seemed like an instant the river bottom would break loose from the strangle hold of dreary and literally burst into color. Over night the trees became alive again. The smell of honey suckle would fill the air, the blooms of dew berries and pear trees could be seen every where. The birds would sing in harmony at the newness of the land.
Many years have passed and I am definitely not in my youth any longer but I am still amazed at the brilliance of Gods creation. Every spring an explosion of new life comes to the earth! How appropriate it is that we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus in the spring.
Romans 1:19-20 says; because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse…
Without excuse, wow! You see I think that we live in a nation where the vast majority of people live close to the cross. You see the cross every where hanging around the necks of movie stars, and recording artist. On business cards and of course in our churches the cross is displayed for all to see. While many are close to the cross I feel few are close to the blood. Jesus came and endured the cross so that we could receive salvation. A new beginning, just as when winter has to loose its hold and give way to the newness of spring. So does sin and death have to give way to the new life of Christ. The resurrection of Jesus turned the spiritual landscape from dark and dreary to fresh and alive. Take advantage of the wonderful opportunity that has been given. Because my friend you are without excuse!
