Prologue
The relationship between a believer and Christ is like a dance between two lovers. They hold hands, sway gently from side to side, and are enveloped in an ambiance of love. The believer, a young woman, feels warmth, joy, and peace in Christ's holy embrace. This is a stark contrast to the cold turmoil she once knew. Peace, purpose, and increasing joy are all experienced in this warm embrace.
Then comes a tempter - a young man, bearing very attractive jewelry, and dangling it at some distance from this dancing couple. The believer's gaze is drawn to the lustrous, appealing jewelry. Pursuing it, however, means leaving Christ's warm embrace.
So, she hesitates and continues in the love-filled dance. Jesus holds her closer, whispering words of comfort and persuasion.
Scene 1: When the believer experiences a temptation (James 1:13-14)
If she values His embrace over the shiny object, she won't look again. But if there is a lust for it – perhaps a desire to impress others- she may stare longer and eventually break away from the embrace of intimacy. Now, should the urge to depart arise, she needn't sever the connection. A soft plea to Him, "Lord, assist me," would suffice, and He would respond. You see, He will intensify His love so much in her heart that the object’s luster will look so pale and bland in comparison. She can then more easily decline.
But He never forces her gaze away, loving her deeply yet desiring her voluntary love in return. He reassures her but will not turn her face away from the tempter, allowing her to choose Him freely.
Scene 2: When a believer yields to a temptation (James 1:15-16)
If she breaks from the dance to chase the object, she distances herself from Him. He still stands waiting, at the spot of their dance; with His hands outstretched, hoping that she will return quickly to Him.
As she follows after the jewelry, the tempter retreats, leading her further from her lover.
She soon feels the turmoil and cold that she experienced before she met Him.
…Indeed, it is true that sinful desires cannot be satisfied. One desire begets another - One sin another, to draw a person deeper into the abyss of darkness.
Yet, she still hears His voice in the distance, calling her name. And as she continues to follow the young man, she hears his whispers in her heart. It is His Spirit urging her to return.
Scene 3: When a believer sins and has not repented (John 10:10)
Repentance is to turn away from the shiny object and return to His embrace. As she contemplates her response, the young man speaks to her persuasively.
Initially, he says, "But you have gone so far away from Him; surely, He no longer desires you."
This is the enemy’s tool of condemnation, the same that prevented the ‘prodigal son’ from going back to His loving Father, even though his life was falling apart (See Luke 15:11-16)
Later, he paints a picture of a life with the shiny object, saying, "Your life could be much more interesting; you could do anything you want. Why not enjoy this now and return to Him later?"
This is the enemy’s tool of deception that makes sin look permissible because of Christ’s forgiveness. Unfortunately when sinning becomes more intentional, many become hardened ( See Hebrews 3:13).
If she succumbs to these deceitful words, her vision and heart suffer. She can no longer discern his figure in the distance or hear his whispers in her heart. In these moments, her body and heart, sick from prolonged exposure to the cold and pained by injuries from stumbling in the darkness, make her feel doomed to this icy fate.
But, of course, these are all lies!
Scene 4: When a believer repents (Isaiah 55:7, James 4:8, Isaiah 1:18, Luke 15:17-24)
Should she decide to ignore those words and her fears, turn from the object, and run toward her lover, the heaviness in her heart would lift. She would soon realize that He never turned His back on her, and, astonishingly, she would see Him running toward her with love.
As she approaches the ambiance of His presence, a veil of blood appears, and passing through it, she is made completely clean and whole.
When she appears before Him, she is cleansed, ready to resume the dance. Yet, a stray thought may cross her mind: "He must be so disappointed; I don't think I can ever dance with Him again."
For the adversary will try to keep the believer from her beloved.
If she yields to this thought, she will stay at a distance, feeling unworthy to come closer despite His urgings.
But little does she know that it is much easier for her to be drawn away when she is not in His embrace.
However, if she dismisses that thought and returns to His arms, she will feel His warmth and deep love again. And as she reciprocates, they begin to sway from side to side again, with even more vigor than before.
Scene 5: When it is no longer possible to dance (Hebrews 3:12-19, Isaiah 55:6)
Indeed, the lover will wait as long as it takes for his beloved's return. Yet, if she lingers, captivated by the tempter, her heart may become utterly numb to her beloved's nudges—Scripture describes this as a hardened state. At such a juncture, she may lose the capacity to dance, becoming a 'reprobate.' The Lord doesn't specify when this happens, but a heart persisting in iniquity may become hardened by the deceit of sin and lose its ability to dance. These are the ones who have sealed their fate on earth.
If you are reading this and you have strayed from Christ, chances are, you are not in this category.
You can return, right now.
Confess your sins to Him, ask for His forgiveness, and follow Him- He will welcome you.
There is another group who will no longer have an opportunity to dance: those who die in pursuit of this shiny object. Their fate too is sealed.
If you have strayed far from Him, there is no need to wait until tomorrow to return. You can resume your dance today if you will repent and confess everything to Him.
He loves you and is waiting!
Epilogue
Jesus wants to dance with you forever!
As you look at His radiant face, and mirror His steps, you become like Him, more and more.
Oh, what great privilege to be God’s own beloved.
Isn’t this beautiful?!
