"The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit."--- Holy Bible, Psalm 34:18 New King James Version, God's Word
Coming to Christ, following Him is more than going to a feel good "Jesus Pep Rally," although if you follow Him, that's what you like to spend time doing, but Jesus asks us to count the cost. In creasingly, every day there are costs to being a Christ follower. He is the Light. We, as followers should reflect that Light. He even told us that we are the light of the world.
God layed down some basics for us to follow to avoid missing the mark. That's called sin, a word you usually hear now days in advertising Lots of people today think of God as some cosmic Killjoy. He is NOT. He created us a certain way and knows what's best for us to function. Why He forbids some things is frankly "above my pay grade!"
Quite literally, God laid down, if you'll pardon the pun, what works and what to stay away from. He LITERALLY said not to go poking around where you're not supposed to. I know a couple who ignored this and went to "poking" and it was fun, they said...until a doctor told them they had better quit. Get me?
Listen, a bunch of times, the verse that applied to me was, "Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and not follow what I say?" Man, I'm trying not to put impressing people ahead of pleasing God.
That word "contrite" is like pulverized. They pulverize talc to make talcom powder. It means a sorrow for wrong doing that is at that level, really mourning for something you've done wrong (sin). That's what repentance is, being so sorry you've displeased God, that you are willing to reverse your actions and go the other way, God's way. Will you stumble? Most likely, but God's Word also says that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to FORGIVE us our sins, and dig this...to CLEANSE us form ALL unrighteousness! The Buck LOVES you. By the way, so does GOD! ;-)
