BENT FORKS

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

Psalms 125:5

“But those who turn to crooked ways the LORD will banish with the evildoers.”

 

Have you ever tried to eat with a bent fork? One day I sat down to eat one of my favorite Saturday morning breakfasts; blueberry pancakes. There before me smothered in luscious maple syrup were the sweet light‑brown pancakes dotted with delectable blue splotches of juicy blueberries. I grabbed my fork and proceeded to place the first anticipated bite in my mouth. Just before this first delicious bite could enter my mouth I felt a sharp pain in my upper lip. The piece of pancake fell into my plate as I examined the end of my utensil. Two of the prongs of my fork were bent up and two were bent down. No normal human would have been able to eat with such a tool without causing serious harm. Rather disappointed because my delightful breakfast had been delayed I got up and acquired another fork.

 

Have you ever considered that before anyone is transformed by a relationship with Jesus Christ that they are similar to bent forks? Yes I think there is some wisdom in such an observation.

 

When forks are first forged and constructed, they are marvelously designed. The smooth curves of their handle fit a human hand perfectly. Their curved head with 3 or 4 sharp prongs are excellent for stabbing all sorts of food. The prongs with their flat and straight arrangement allow for scooping up edible items as well.

 

Just like perfectly made forks; God created man in a perfect sinless state. He was in close fellowship with God and was not yet prone to do wrong or sin against his Heavenly Father. He lived in harmony both with God and his mate Eve. Adam and Eve were wonderful creations of God. They reflected the Creator of the Universe Himself. Adam and Eve brought glory to their Heavenly Father and served Him well.

 

Once sin entered in, Adam and Eve became “bent” in their souls. Much like forks whose prongs have been bent, Adam and Eve ceased to be perfect. Sin polluted their hearts and minds and their relationship with God was forever changed. Since Adam and Eve were our ancestors, we have all inherited this “bentness.” We are “bent” towards selfishness from the day we are born. We strive to please ourselves and if left to ourselves will die in our sins.

 

It is not good for forks to remain bent. They cease to fulfill their purpose in life. They can even cause pain and trauma. It is not good for people to remain “bent” either. We can never fulfill our purpose in life unless God makes us straight again through the cleansing of our sins made possible by the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ on the cross. God in His love and power can change our “bent” tendencies and make them straight. If we but trust in His Son Jesus and accept Him as our Lord and Savior, then God can transform our lives. Our position before God is made straight and we can regain a fellowship with Him that was tainted by our sinful nature.

 

But the work of God doesn’t stop there. God continues to work in us through the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit who lives within those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior prompts us to follow our Lord’s instructions in scripture. He will seek to stimulate us to seek to live holy and pure and express the fruit of the Spirit; Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

 

Continually and persistently the Spirit who lives within us as Followers of Christ will motivate us to do good works and think pure thoughts. He will seek ways for us to live out our faith, manifest the spiritual gifts that God has given us and minister to those around us, be they fellow Christians or non-believers.

 

It is also true that God will discipline us as a father would his children, to bring us to a condition that reflects straightness, purity and love. God the Father calls us to be His spiritual children in all areas of our lives so that we might bring glory to Him and experience the rewards and pleasures of being in a strong loving relationship with Him.

 

There is a POSITION before God that is instantly changed when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. We are His spiritual children and part of His family.

 

But our spiritual CONDITION and MATURITY takes time for God to mold and change us. While our sins are forgiven the moment we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we begin a process of being transformed into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ. This actually takes the rest of our lives to be truthful and is never fully complete until we reach our Heavenly home.

 

The next time you’re at the dinner table and you find that you have grabbed a bent fork, ask yourself this question, “Are there any bent ways that I have failed to allow my Lord to make straight?”

 

If you realize you have never accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior you have no resources to change your “bentness.” You need to acknowledge that you are sinful and need forgiveness of your sins. Read the following verse and do what it says, believing that Jesus died for you to make the payment for your sins. Give your heart, mind and soul to God and pray to accept Christ as your Lord and Savior.

 

Romans 10:9-10, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

 

If you have already committed your life to Christ confess your “bentness,” your sins and restore your relationship with the Father, Son and Spirit.

 

1 John 1:9-10, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.”

 

I praise God that He is so patient with me. Every day I find bent areas of my life that need straightening. With God’s love and power, I know that He will complete me in Him one day.

 

Philippians 2:14‑15

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.”