The Issue

The issue isn’t the problem. The problem has been resolved for 2,000 years. The issue is faith in the solution. Ironically, man tends to focus on the problem and not the solution. This is odd especially when we realize that we head towards what we look at. It is impossible to do otherwise.

Before the finality of the problem is the capacity and potentiality of the problem. It is this capacity and potential which frightens us and becomes the cause of our self-destruction. Only with finality of the problem is fear diffused and only then do we move forward in a positive direction.  But what is bravery without fear and dread? What is hope without the presence of despair? What quickens the gifts of God’s grace of faith, hope, patience, and longsuffering if not fear, despair, pain, and despondency? For why would you hope for a better day when the better day had come? Why wouldn’t you hope if it had not?

You can’t get clean without first being dirty and you can’t get cleaned without being washed.

The Apostle Paul said, “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20-21)

Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. Why? Because light extinguishes dark, every time.

Paul then brings up two rather interesting questions, in one of his infamous arguments with himself.

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?....shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” (Romans 6:1,15)

Don’t let sin, death, and destruction fool you by allowing them to gain your attention. Remember, the issue isn’t the problem. But we can make the problem the issue by feeding it and breathing life into it by giving ourselves over to it. Remember, it is the capacity and potential of a problem which moves us by fear in all the wrong directions. It is the finality of the problem which frees us and enables us to move forward.

Jesus gives finality to every problem: “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Jesus is that one way that the devil strives so hard to deviate us from.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6)

One of the great things for man to discover is the realization that Jesus doesn’t show up during times of trouble. Jesus is here. Now. Jesus is in you and you in Him. Always. And because Jesus is always with us, this makes Him not only the problem solver, but the problem preventer. There is no sin in Jesus. The more we allow Him in our life the less sin can have an effect.

Stop giving power to the problem. Give power to the Savior by keeping your eyes focused on Christ within.

Bill Hitchcock