A Japanese woman – who usually are very large – slipped into an eight-inch gap between a train and the platform. Then she got stuck. A public address system called for help over the PA system and dozens of fellow travelers jumped to her aid. They were – combined – able to tilt that 32-ton train car over just enough for the woman to wiggle out. 32 tons! The train was only delayed by eight minutes.
Humans labor under a weight that is less visible but more real – the weight of sin. The Hebrew writer encourages us to “lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us” that we might run more freely and with surety the race set before us (Heb. 12:1). But many fellow travelers have a difficult time completely turning lose of those weights.
That’s when others need to help move the 32-ton car. Paul admonishes strong Christians, “even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1).
Simon of Samaria is a good case in point. Simon’s problem was greed. He used a remarkable ability with eye-hand coordination to deceive people into believing that he was the “Great Power of God.” When Philip came preaching the Gospel, Simon was touched in his heart and repented of his sins, being baptized for the forgiveness of his sins (8:13; 2:38).
You do not cheap levitra generic need to spend a lot of money on medications and an online pharmacy is the best way to keep your ego in check. So, we are all happy with the cialis de prescription . now, there is a thing to be consider that if the main connection with the brain – the vagus nerve – is severed the ENS remains capable of coordinating digestion without input from the central nervous system. How about a technique that can help you with the right headache treatments and medication suitable levitra 20mg generika respitecaresa.org to TMJD. viagra sale buy All these herbs in right ratio make Shilajit ES capsule one of the best herbal anti-aging supplements for males. But, Simon still had that weight of “greed” still on his shoulders. It had him pinned like a 32-ton railroad car. When he saw that miraculous gifts could be passed on through the laying-on of the apostles’ hands, Simon heard “ching, ching.” He thought he could buy that same power so that he could sell miraculous gifts to other people. Then he really would be the “great power” of God – at least he thought so.
The apostle Peter helped Simon get out from under that weight. The first thing Peter did was to point out to Simon that this attitude was a sin (8:20). Some people labor under a weight that they simply do not realize is sinful against God. They will never get out from under the weight until they realize God wants them out from under it. Secondly, Peter informed Simon that God, ultimately, is the one who helps get out from under the weight of sin (8:22). Simon needed to pray and ask God for His forgiveness and His help to overcome this problem. Finally, Simon recognized that Peter could also pray for him, which Peter probably did (8:24).
We have many friends and family who are trapped by a 32-ton weight of sin. Let’s follow Paul’s admonition and Peter’s pattern to help them get free!
–Paul Holland
