Romans 2:12-16
If you sin without knowing what you’re doing, God takes that into account. But if you sin knowing full well what you’re doing, that’s a different story entirely. Merely hearing God’s law is a waste of your time if you don’t do what he commands. Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference with God.
When outsiders who have never heard of God’s law follow it more or less by instinct, they confirm its truth by their obedience. They show that God’s law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric of our creation. There is something deep within them that echoes God’s yes and no, right and wrong. Their response to God’s yes and no will become public knowledge on the day God makes his final decision about every man and woman. The Message from God that I proclaim through Jesus Christ takes into account all these differences.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
On ABC television show, “The Middle,” husband Mike Fleck (played by Neil Flynn) enters the kitchen and asks his wife, Frankie (played by Patricia Heaton) if she signed them up to drive a float in an upcoming Centennial parade. “Frankie” says no… then realizes that she might have actually agreed to this at a party earlier where she and “Mike” were a little drunk. “Frankie” says to “Mike”… “See, this is what happens when we drink.”
On multiple levels, the characters are excusing their “sins” by blaming their inebriation. They didn’t know what they were doing. And while you may never touch a drop of alcohol or take anything stronger than an aspirin, I’m betting that you have had some sort of handy excuse at one time or another for your “sins”. “I was just a little kid… I didn’t know that helping myself to the neighbors’ watermelon patch was stealing”… or “I am old and absentminded… I totally forgot that I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone about such-and-such!” And while there are children who don’t know better in some situations… and aging adults who suffer dementia and truly don’t remember or realize what they are doing… most of us fall into the category of knowing what we are doing – but blaming something or someone else for our transgressions and shortcomings. And this is disrespectful to God… and to others.
Everyone seems to at least “know of” someone who appears to be successful in his/her personal and professional life… is upstanding in the community and always seems to behave in a respectful and respectable manner... and yet this person will readily tell you that he/she does have a personal relationship with God. He/she may even say, “I really don’t believe in God” or “I’m not all that religious”… or one of my favorites – “I just like to find God in nature.” And maybe you have wondered how this person managed to fare so well. Or perhaps you have seen people who seem to skate through life and make all sorts of mistakes and sort of “fly by the seat of their pants”… and yet they appear to have an easier, less stress-filled life in many regards than you do. You might have even said, “If *I* lived that way – or did this or that – I would be in all sorts of trouble.”
Can I tell you something? These people are not fooling anyone… least of all, God. They are not “getting by” with anything, because He will hold them accountable at some point. And the “nice guy” who doesn’t seem to need God in his/her life probably has the influence of someone who does have a relationship with our Heavenly Father that resonates with them in some way. Do not underestimate God’s power and ability to permeate even the hardest heart… or the most uninformed mind… and plant seeds of His grace, mercy, love and authority there.
We need to be certain that we are respectful toward God… and others… because we have heard the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ. We are presented at every turn with opportunities to hear, study, and internalize His commands. And by any and all measures available, we are to share this message with others, so that they may also have a full understanding of God and all that He offers. We may never get drunk at a party and promise to participate in a parade, but we still need to keep a check on our words and actions - in every area of our lives. Our example may be the very echo of God into another’s heart!
How are you showing respect to God for His gift of wisdom, grace and mercy? You’ve heard His voice…how will are responding?
©2013 Debbie Robus
No comments:
Post a Comment