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Good Riddance By Pastor Stacy Williams web posted June 10, 2009 RELIGION – Chen Fuchao felt as though he had no reason to live. He was $290,000 in debt from a failed construction project, and saw no way out but to kill himself. He climbed to the top of the Haizhu bridge in Guangzhou, China, where eleven other people have attempted suicide since April of this year. Fuchao intended to be the twelfth. When he got to the edge of the bridge, however, he must have needed to think about whether this was the thing to do or not. He remained there for over 5 hours. During his contemplative moments on the bridge, the police were called, the area was cordoned off, and traffic was held up. A 66 year-old man named Lai Jiansheng emerged from the crowd that had gathered. He asked the police for the opportunity to try to talk the man down from the bridge. The police turned his offer down. Lai was insistent that something needed to be done, so he took matters into his own hands. Mr. Jiansheng walked away from the police, and proceeded toward the barriers. He broke through the cordon, and began the climb to the bridge. He climbed up to where Fuchao was standing on the edge, and reached out to shake his hand. As they shook hands, Lai pushed Chen Fuchao off the bridge. Fuchao fell 26 feet onto the inflated air cushion that had been laid out by the police. Fuchao survived with some spine and elbow injuries. When Mr. Jiansheng was asked why he pushed the man he replied, I pushed him off because jumpers like Chen are very selfish. Their action violates a lot of public interest. They do not really dare to kill themselves. Instead, they just want to raise the relevant government authorities' attention to their appeals." Indeed, Mr. Jiansheng and those who were stuck in the traffic, the police and fire departments, and many others were very inconvenienced by Fuchao's actions. When we allow sin into our lives, it takes everything hostage. It robs us of self-control, happiness, relationships, time, and money. It holds up the blessings that God wants so much to give us, and keeps us blinded to the needs of others. It stalls our relationship with Christ and damages our witness to the world. If sin is that disruptive in our lives, then why do we tolerate it? Why do we continue to do what is displeasing to God? God provided a way out. God sent Jesus to die so that we could be free from sin and temptation. Instead of letting sin hold our lives hostage, we should get rid of the thing that clogs up our relationship with God. How? Simply push it out of our lives. Mr. Jiansheng had enough of Mr. Fuchao interrupting his day, so he pushed him off the bridge and ended the ordeal. We need to follow this example and push sin out of our lives. Is it easy? No. There will be those who tell us we cannot rid our lives of sin, that it is just a part of life . (1 John 3:5-7) The police tried to tell Mr. Jiansheng that he could not talk to Mr. Fuchao, but he didn t accept that. He did something about it. It will take courage. (1 John 5:18) Mr. Jiansheng had to climb the bridge in order to face the culprit. We may have to do many things that will take courage to accomplish in order to rid sin from our lives, but we must resist the temptation to do nothing. In the end, we must do whatever we can to avoid sin. The alcoholic knows that if he takes that one drink, he cannot stop. Therefore, he must avoid drinking alcohol of any form. The same is true of whatever sin it is that you are wrestling with. Remove yourself from the circumstances, and ask for help if needed. Will you give your sin up to God today and take the measures necessary to live a wholesome life before God? Will you push that sin off the bridge today and free your life from its holding power? If you would like to talk with someone who can help you, please contact me or a Christian friend who can pray with you, and help push the sin into the depths where it belongs! Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me. Then Jesus said to him, Away with you, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve. Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. (Matthew 4:8-11 NKJV) All are welcome join us Sunday mornings at Edgefield First Baptist for Sunday School at 10 AM and worship at 11 AM. For more information call us at 803-637-6139 or visit our website where you will find weekly activities, church information, or even listen to sermons online. Our web address is http://www.edgefieldfirstbaptist.org © Copyright 2009
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