by Tom Wacaster
If you listen enough to
radio, and especially talk radio, one of the most frequently advertized
services is from a company called “Life Lock.” Not only do they
“guarantee” to protect your identity, they back that guarantee with more than
$1 million in promised financial aid should your identity be stolen. In
1997 consumers and institutions lost an estimated $745 million to identity
theft. It is estimated that loss now to be more than $1.5 billion
annually and growing. Identity theft occurs when a person’s social
security number, credit card number, phone number, etc., is discovered by a
thief who then uses that information for personal gain. Since the
late 1970’s paper shredders have become increasingly popular, and no doubt our
technological age will continue to provide such services as that offered by
Life Lock.
While identity theft is
no small inconvenience, it pales in comparison to the wide spread theft that
Satan inflicts upon the masses every single day. He has been busy for
well nigh unto six millennium drawing men away from their Creator and
inflicting immeasurable harm on men and women both here, and eventually in
eternity. He robs men of happiness and peace, hope and
contentment. Worst, he has robbed every single soul of his
spiritual identity, separating the innocent and unsuspecting from their walk
with God (Isa. 59:1-2).
There is a safe guard
against the effects of Satan’s thievery. No, we cannot prevent his
entering into our life, but we can recover our losses and restore what we once
enjoyed. The restoration process is so perfect, so complete, and so
very simple that it astounds us that more men and women do not take advantage
of it. When one hears the gospel (Rom. 10:17), believes in his
heart that Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24), and is willing to confess that
fact as did Peter (Matt. 16:16-18), he but needs only to repent and be baptized
for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). He is then born of water and the
Spirit (John 3:3-5) and thereby becomes a part of the family of
God. His “identity” is restored, and he enjoys the fellowship with
the Father and Son that the devil stole by deceit and subtlety.
A faithful walk in the light will eventually see him to the eternal home
promised for all the redeemed (Rev. 2:10; 1 John 1:6-8).
That, my dear friends, is the ultimate “Life Lock.”