What If You Were The Only One?
There are many situations that one could face in which being alone could be a scary thing. What if everyone else died and you were the only human alive? What if everyone else jumped on the lifeboats and you were the only one left on a sinking ship? What if you were the only visiting fan in the home section at the game?
Most people like companionship. A few might find companionship in an animal such as a dog or a cat. Some might limit their physical interaction with others and deal with only a few. How would you feel if you were the only one heading north when everyone else is heading south? Often times, we do not like the idea of being different because we know that people will think things about us that may not be true.
Now, just imagine that everyone else is involved in sin and you decide that you do not want to be like everyone else. Do you realize that has happened to some people before? It happened to Noah a long time ago. In Genesis 6:5 we read: "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually". God was ready to destroy it all and start over. Down in verse 8 we read: "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD". Everyone else was involved in sin and evil, but Noah did not do such. This is what God wants us to do. Even if everyone else is involved in sin, we are expected by God to keep ourselves from sin.
In the book of Revelation 3:4, we read: "But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white; for they are worthy". These people did not allow themselves to fall into sin and evil. They chose to remain faithful to God. They set an example for us that we need to learn from.
Do you remember when you told momma that everyone else was doing something? Remember her retort? "If everyone else jumped off the bridge, would you?" Yeah, that was very unfair of momma to say such a thing. Can you imagine that if you joined everyone else in sin and then had to stand before God in judgment? You do not have to sin to be like everyone else. That usually gets you into trouble. In the days of the judges, the people asked Samuel to give them a king so that they could be like the nations around them. Samuel pleaded with them that it would be a big mistake, but the people did not want to hear that.
You do not ever have to sin because God has made it possible for you not to sin. In 1 Corinthians 10:13 we read: "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it".
In our world today, it seems that more and more people are wicked, evil, and choose to sin before God continually. The question for you is this: Are you going to let them guide you into sin, and thus lose your favor with God? Let us so live as to be found righteous and blameless before God and man. Our soul's destiny is hanging in the balance of whether we will be measured and found wanting, or found righteous and innocent.
By Carey Scott

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