In his book “Nuggets of Gold,” Donald E. Wildmon tells the story of a college professor who, some years ago, had his students come to the chalkboard in the front of the class and work some assigned math equations. After all the students were finished the professor reviewed the answers along with the mathematical calculations and formulas used by the students to solve their assigned problem. One of the students had an incorrect answer. The professor, knowing there were some seminary students in the class with the others asked, “How many of you are seminary students?” To which a few hands were raised in response. The professor told them, “Watch and I shall give you a great sermon.” Walking to the board he turned to the class and said, “Here, at the very beginning of the equation, the student failed to square the number. Therefore, although he worked the rest of the equation correctly, the answer is incorrect. In math as in life, if you don’t square things from the very beginning, then regardless of whether or not you do everything else correctly, in the end the answer will be incorrect.” He then stated to the seminary students, “Watch and I shall give you another great sermon.” He called the student who had worked the problem incorrectly to the chalkboard at the front of the class. Then he took an eraser and starting at the end of the incorrect calculation erased it all the way back to the place where he had made his original mistake. Then he handed the student a piece of chalk and said, “Try again.”
Wow! What a testimony to the goodness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! He does the same thing for us!
The Bible is filled with story after story where Jesus, through much love, compassion, and forgiveness, exposes where one of His children has failed to square something in his life, then erases the incorrectness associated with the actions that follow, hands him a fresh piece of chalk, and simply states, “Try again!”
I am reminded of the story in the Bible of The Woman Taken in Adultery. You remember the story. The Scribes and Pharisees had caught her in the act of adultery. They brought her before Jesus in an attempt to entangle Him in the Law of Moses. (I have always wondered why they didn’t bring the man before Him too!) Now, the Bible leaves no doubt regarding her guilt or innocence. She was guilty as charged. There was also no doubt regarding her punishment. The law said she was to be stoned to death. But in a stunning turn of events, Jesus writes on the ground as though he didn’t hear them. Then, the Bible states that from the eldest to the last they left. For all you and I know, Jesus was quoting dates, times, and places where each of them had been with her. We don’t know. All we know is that they left. Then Jesus engages in dialogue with her. Then He speaks some of the sweetest words in the Bible: “When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” (John 8:10-11 KJV) In essence, Jesus erases the incorrectness of her life back to the point where she had failed to square it, gave her a fresh piece of chalk and said, “Try again!”
Every twenty-four hours, every seven days, every 28-31 days, and once every twelve months, when the New Year dawns, we are afforded the same opportunity.
As we boldly go in 2015, my encouragement to you is: examine your life and determine where it is not squared with Jesus and His Word, allow Him to erase the incorrectness of your feeble attempt at life, grab hold of the fresh piece of chalk He is offering, and try again!
Happy New Year!
Brother Aaron
To schedule Brother Aaron to preach a Sunday service at your church, a revival meeting, or a special event, you may contact him at: 1-800-511-9536, 706-302.9162, or e-mail: freshfire@mindspring.com
