At church we are in the midst of a sermon series entitled Behold Your God
In essence, these messages are challenging us and making us realize that
how we view God will affect how we live.
Are we more prone to think of God's mercy or His judgment?
In the Bible God reveals His mercy through what He says and what He does.
But we also become very aware of character traits that don't seem to justify His gentleness.
The fact remains that in his holiness and perfectness He cannot forever tolerate sin.
Last Sunday's sermon about King Ahab, told of how God allowed the king to believe a lie because of his continued persistence to do his own thing.
Is that fair?
It is a story in 1.Kings 22 that came to have meaning for today in a whole new way,
pointing us to a God who has given us His Word and the freedom to choose.
I know the Bible says it’s wrong
But it’s an old book, I say
It was written for another time, I’m
sure
As things are different
today.
I even asked my peers
They’re Christians too, you know
Four hundred friends cannot be
wrong
It feels so right, I can’t let go.
I went to church – I don’t know why
My pastor preached on what is
truth.
He’s nice - old school for sure
–
He talks about a life that’s pure.
Bible words are so confusing
How am I to understand or face -
Treating unholy the blood that sanctifies
Or insulting the spirit of grace?
Didn’t I say he never makes me
feel good?
I wanted him to say that God
is love.
So I asked God to bless my
disobedience
He did. And left me alone in
the grief thereof.
“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the
truth, no sacrifice for sins is left.” Hebrews 10: 26
"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." 1. John 1:9
9 comments:
Oh how true this post is...A HOLY GOD lets us choose and in sin we remain due to the PRIDE in us...Oh to choose HIS MERCY and HIS GRACE and be obedient to our HOLY GOD...
and yet, too many choose disobedience...Breaks my heart when I sin, but HE is faithful and just to forgive me when I repent and turn from that sin....What an AWESOME GOD, indeed...
Thanks for this most wonderful post...It should go viral over the internet...and touch hearts that would not have been touched....
Love from NC
What an amazing God we serve! You shared this in a most thought provoking way. I for one am most thankful for God's mercy and grace in my life.
"One of the reasons we lose fellowship with God is that we will explain and vindicate ourselves; we will not let God hunt through us and chase out the interests of self-will and self-assertion." --Oswald Chambers
A good word on this last day of Jan! I do believe many Christians today interpret "Grace" as the freedom to do a as they please because they are already forgiven. I don't think that is scriptural or that it pleases God.
We were created for His pleasure and that should be our desire...to please Him!
Such a good post...speaking the truth. He is a God of grace a mercy...but also a holy God who cannot tolerate sin.
GREAT post!
Anneliese, I used this very story in my bible study teaching this week! We are so quick to 'hear' what makes us feel good, and turn away from the difficult things that are sometimes what will save our life!
Yes, so thankful for God's mercy, but also in awe of God's holiness and righteous judgement against sin. And no, the bible is never outdated, it is never old. It is as fresh today as the day the words were written!
Isn't it great how we can be challenged on a Sunday Morning. We have been challenged to choose a Life of Holiness during this last month. That may look different in each one of our lives. Choose Holiness, even as God is Holy! Not easy.
The Hebrew logic of both/and (instead of Greek either/or) is a tricky thing to wrap one's brain around. My pastor preaches a lot on love and grace and apologizes to those who have suffered from legalistic churches in the past. I appreciate that but wonder when the other half will be mentioned...that if God's ways are ignored/discounted there are natural and spiritual consequences. I liked Lovell'a OC quote on the subject.
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