 |
|
An
Outreach Publication of the Church of Christ at
Creekwood |
|
“Tie
A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Old Oak Tree” was the title of a popular song in the 1970s written by Irwin Levine and L.
Russell Brown. It
was recorded by Tony Orlando and Dawn among others.
The words of the song tell a story from the
perspective of a convict who has just been released
from prison after a three-year term.
He wants to know if the woman
that he loves has forgiven him and if she still loves
him. Previously
he had written a letter to his sweetheart with
instructions as to how he would know if she still
loved him or not.
The instructions make up the chorus of the
song: Tie
a yellow ribbon 'round the old oak tree Would
she tie a yellow ribbon around the tree?
Had he been forgiven? Did she still love him, and would she welcome him home?
He could not bear to look..... But
as the bus approached the designated oak, the
occupants who were aware of his agonizing situation
erupted in cheers and applause.
The man looked and to his astonishment....there
was not one, but ONE HUNDRED yellow
ribbons tied to the old oak tree!
Because of those ribbons, he knew that she
still loved him
and welcomed him home. * Like
the man on the bus, WE are sometimes fearful because
we are guilty of sin and know that we are to blame.
We wonder, “Can I truly be forgiven for my
mistakes?” There is another tree that reveals God’s answer. The "tree" that reveals the answer is the cross of Jesus Christ! And the answer is: “YES, I love you and will forgive you.” “But
God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while
we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans
5:8). On
the cross, He paid the price for OUR sins so that we
might have forgiveness (2 Corinthians 5:21). God
will forgive those who: believe
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from sin in repentance
(Acts 17:30-31), confess
Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins
(Acts 2:38). He
will continue to forgive those who continue to walk in
the light of His Word (1 John 1:7). Through
the cross of Christ, God says, “I love you and I
forgive you.” Won’t
YOU
accept His forgiveness through your trusting
obedience? -- David A. Sargent, Minister Church
of Christ at Creekwood * Many thanks to J.R. Zeringue and Wayne Dunaway in “A Closer Walk,” a G & P Ministries Daily Devotional, for referencing this song and making another great application. See G & P Ministries -- http://www.gandpministries.org/ To Subscribe to "Living Water" send a blank e-mail to:
HTML version: subscribe-livingwater@lyris.dundee.net Follow this link to locate the church of Christ nearest you: www.churchzip.com Archived issues of "Living Water" can be accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org
|