Trading Our Birthright

December 1, 2009

It never ceases to amaze me how the enemy will sneak in with deception, and how we as God's children seem to make it so easy for him. We look at our adoption certificate, take a quick half-glance at the scars on Jesus' hands, and then we turn away - set our gaze elsewhere - as the enemy spews whispered lies in our ears. He tempts us with his wares, saying "look here...look at this...see what you could have if only you will reach out and take it..." He tempts us to sell our birthright for a measly bowl of soup. First, he reminds us how hungry we are...then he puts a rich, hearty, savory-smelling bowl of piping hot soup right under our nose. He says, "Your hunger will be satisfied if only you'll take a few bites. It will be delicious on your tongue, it will feel warm going down, and your desire will be satisfied." Only when it is too late do we finally realize our mistake. Only when the bitter taste fills our mouth, when the icy cold of guilt runs down our spine, and our stomach is filled with the gritty ash of regret do we grasp the enormity of what we have traded. Then the weight of our loss becomes overwhelming.

Is there forgiveness? Yes, and there can even be restoration. We have to put all of our trust in Jesus because the enemy will pound us with our failure. He tempts us, lures us into a pit, then holds us down. He will tell us over and over again how we failed God, how we trampled on His grace and the precious blood of Jesus. He will tell us how unworthy we are and how we can't really be forgiven. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He wants to steal our peace, our joy, and all of the good gifts God has placed in us. He wants to destroy the plans God has for our lives, our ministries, our families; he wants to strip us down and make us feel like we have lost everything and all hope is gone. But most of all he wants to kill us. He wants our complete and total destruction as a slap in the face of God. We are God's children, and in hurting us he strikes at the very heart of our Father.

There is no temptation, no sin, that is worth trading our birthright for. God's plans for us are always good, and amazing beyond our imagination. Why would we ever want to trade them for one moment of delicious soup that will turn sour on our stomach?