Snickers

I haven’t seen all the Snickers’ commercials that feature someone who has a complete personality change and then is told to “Eat a Snickers. You’re not you when you’re hungry”; but, I’ve seen many. Well, I really like Snickers; but, eating a candy bar is not going to make me better. In fact, there are many who would say it will make me worse. It can’t possibly be good for my overall health, can it? Probably not. Yet it seems the ad capitalizes on a prevailing thought of our culture. Many today have come to believe that whatever problems we cause or experience must come from external sources. You’re cranky because you’re hungry. That’s not usually my problem. When I’m cranky, it’s because I am acting selfishly. A Snicker’s won’t help that! Here’s what the Apostle Paul says: For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. (Romans 7:15-17 ESV). I don’t know about you, but the way that reads, I’m in a mess! And, there’s more. Psalm 51:5 states that we all come into the world as sinners: “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” Ephesians 2:2 says that all people who are not in Christ are “sons of disobedience.” Ephesians 2:3 also establishes this, saying that we are all “by nature children of wrath.” If we are all “by nature children of wrath,” it can only be because we are all by nature sinners for God does not direct His wrath towards those who are not guilty. God did not create the human race sinful, but upright. But we fell into sin and became sinful due to the sin of Adam. Sin is our very nature. The Snickers won’t help with that nature; only the Savior can do that. We can never be fully changed by our efforts. D.M. Stearns was preaching in Philadelphia. At the close of the service a stranger came up to him and said, "I don't like the way you spoke about the cross. I think that instead of emphasizing the death of Christ, it would be far better to preach Jesus, the teacher and example." Stearns replied, "If I presented Christ in that way, would you be willing to follow Him?" "I certainly would," said the stranger without hesitation. "All right then," said the preacher, "let's take the first step. He did no sin. Can you claim that for yourself?" The man looked confused and somewhat surprised. "Why, no," he said. "I acknowledge that I do sin." Stearns replied, "Then your greatest need is to have a Savior, not an example!" So, let me offer this simple encouragement. You are not you when you refuse Jesus. Have the Savior; you’ll be everything God intended you to be. You will experience a life that is designed and ordained by God to bring you good.