I'm having a quiet day today. My thoughts are uninterrupted and I am trying to listen to what the Spirit has to say.
I want to talk about a side of God that we don't normally mention. I find that most people like to think of Him as a warm, fuzzy, positive presence. We like to think of His angels sent to protect us. We believe that God wants us to be happy and without suffering and without pain - ever. I think many of us see Him as a benevolent Presence that either does not have the power to really change much, or does not care to. This is a God Who is weak. He wishes that we would obey His commandments, but winks at us or shrugs His shoulders when we don't. We tend to think He does not punish rebellion or disobedience. We just aren't that concerned with comitting a sin here and a sin there because we know He will forgive.
Think about this. Take a moment to ask yourself if any of this sounds familiar. Ask God to show you if these ideas are like some of your own. Then listen for His answer. Really listen. Your life may depend on it. Matthew 13:14-15 says this: "You will keep on hearing but will not understand; and you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; for the heart of this people has become dull. And with their ears they scarcely hear. And they have closed their eyes lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and return, and I should heal them." These are the words of Jesus.
Louie Giglio says that God is big - really really big, and FEROCIOUS and POWERFUL. Also loving. Genesis 1 tells us that God designed and created the universe and the earth and everything on it. (What kind of power would that take?)
He HATES sin (not dislikes or overlooks). The Bible is very clear that He is not nuetral or half-hearted about sin. Proverbs 6:16-19 says, "There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: a haughty look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet swift in running to do evil, a false witness who lies with every breath, and him who sows strife among brothers."
Sin brings death, and God is all about life. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Would you - as a loving parent be tolerant of cancer or some gross deadly deformity in your child's life? Certainly not! And neither is God tolerant of sin in a person's life, because it results in death - eternal separation from Him. Hell, is the finished product of sin. God doesn't just send people to Hell. They wind up there because sin has them in Hell's grip. Unless a person receives the gift of cleansing and is delivered from sin and death by God's Son - Jesus Christ - he will have no hope of being saved. Because we are born tainted in a tainted world we are not clean - we are full of sin.
You may be thinking, "But I'm a pretty good person. I don't sin." However the Bible says that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) Indeed we are born in sin. It is attached to us with chains that cannot be broken with human hands alone. In God's fierce love for us He came up with a way to free us and be with us, and keep us from death and darkness.
God is love. He has such incredibly deep and abiding love for you, and for me, that He gave His Son . "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." (John 3:17-18). Did you get that? God doesn't condemn, but we are condemned already. God is fearless and will go to any length to save you. Indeed He already has.
Would a weak dispassionate God who winks at sin do all this??? Ask God Who He really is. Respectfully ask. Whoever He is, He is greater than mere man
2 comments:
Anna -
I must tell you that I am struggling today. I have been praying for my father who was just diagnosed with Parkinsons a few months ago. I want to tell myself that I have the strength to help him...but I do not know how without breaking down myself. I turn to god with the "Why??" questions and I am too stubborn to hear the real answer. I know I must depend on him for all struggles but this one is the largest struggle I've had in my life so far. I sound selfish when I say this - I know that Parkinsons is my father's struggle - but in reality it is ALL of our struggle. I want to be there for him. Give him the love that he has shown me his ENTIRE LIFE. He is a great man. Oh dear - how do I bring comfort to him? I do not know his relationship with God. Should I ask him? Thank you for your blogs. They are from the heart and I appreciate that.
Dear Anonymous, I understand your struggles. The why questions are normal. I think it's part of grieving. Don't feel bad for having a hard time with all of this. It's a very hard thing. As for how can you help your dad - a couple of things: Just be there. Be calm. You don't have to know answers. You don't have to put on a happy face and "be positive" when you are finding it hard to find anything good in all of this. Hear him if he wants to talk about it. And feel free to express your honest feelings about it all. Not talking about things and avoiding the obvious takes a lot of energy. Do encourage him to attend a support group. This eases the burden a great deal just to know that there are others who have this same problem and see that they are moving forward. This will also help you. My guess is that you are a comfort to your dad without even trying. He will sense your love. Also, I have to say that laughter is very important. It IS a struggle - all of this. We grow in our struggles. Keep praying. You will find comfort and direction from God who loves to answer. I am praying for you and your dad too. Thank you so much for reaching out and sharing. I hope others will read this and respond as well. Good night dear one.........
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