Are we suffering from Onoda's denial ?

Wednesday July 28, 2021

Are we suffering from Onoda's denial ?

Searching the Scriptures

We were reconciled to God through the death of his Son when we were his enemies. Romans 5:10

Hirō Onoda is a Japanese who was called up at the age of 20 to do his military service. He joined the 61st Wakayama Infantry Regiment in December 1944. Destination : the Philippines, US territory occupied by Japan.

In 1945, American troops recaptured the island and nearly all Japanese troops were wiped out or taken prisoner. However, Onoda continued the war, initially living in the mountains with three comrades. He rejected as a ruse any attempt to convince him that the war was over. In 1959 he was declared legally dead in Japan.

Tracked down by a Japanese student, Suzuki, Onoda stubbornly refused to accept the idea that the war was over, unless ordered by his superior to lay down his arms. In 1974, the commander of Onoda, Major Taniguchi, now a bookseller, visited Lubang. He informed Onoda of the defeat of Japan and ordered him to lay down his arms. Lieutenant Onoda left the jungle 29 years after the end of World War II.

Are we suffering from Onoda’s denial ?

You probably do not yet know the Lord and you hesitate to leave your forest to approach him. You tell yourself that your sins are too serious or too numerous. Or : you may have been a Christian for a while and tell yourself that you have ruined everything and that it is too late to come back to God given your estrangement.

Either way, I would like to tell you that the war between God and you is well and truly over and you can get out of your forest! It is God who has decided to reconcile you with him, it is not on your own initiative !

The second good news is that the reconciliation decided upon by God is automatically followed by complete salvation through faith. In Romans 5:10, it is said in fact that the death of the Son of God reconciles us with the Father and that his life assures us, especially now that we are friends with God, a complete and eternal salvation ! Hallelujah !

Listen to the voice of God

Let’s take the time to listen to what God means. Approach him knowing that nothing can separate you from the love he has shown for you in Jesus Christ.

Praying is easy. Talk to God as you would your closest friend. God loves you and he can hear everything. Here is an example of a prayer : "Father, I believe and confess that you have reconciled me to you through the death of your Son and I declare that I am no longer your enemy but your child. I reject them. lies of Satan who tells me that I am not worthy to approach you. I am coming out of my forest and I am now running in your arms of love."

Praise God

To praise God is to show him our gratitude. What are your subjects of recognition today ? Take a moment to thank the Lord.

Act today

Now dig deeper into what you have received. What can you do to apply what God has told you ? Write down the concrete actions you can take.

Honor the Lord

Our route for the day ends. Let us pray together to honor our God.

"Lord, thank you for this reconciliation you offer me. You gave your all to be saved. Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, amen !"

David Nolent

Source (The Thought of the Day)