Another Year, I must be doing GREAT!!!
Posted by James MacDonald on December 30, 2007 09:18 AM | Comments (5)Luke 13:1-5, "Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus said to them, 'Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.'"
Be careful of believing that God's general blessings, or the absence of significant trials are confirmations of His favor. They are not!!!
I am deeply convicted by the passage above. I am instructed not to think that I am in some way more favorable to God in and of myself because I love Him, or because I teach His Word, or because I am seeking to pattern my life after His Son. Anything that is favorable to God in me is because of the righteousness of Jesus Christ, imputed to me as a result of repentance and faith which were also gracious gifts, entirely unmerited.
I find that Christians, wait, NO! . . . I find that I am too often impatient with, judgemental over, and resentful of the wickedness of wicked people. I find it much harder to give grace than to receive it. Viewing the consequences unsaved folks experience for their sin as "deserved" is as natural as breathing. Viewing them with sincere compassion takes concentrated effort. Worst of all I can view a calamity in the world at large as God working to provoke repentance and faith in the faithless. As in, I know why that tower fell on them . . . God was judging them for rejecting His ways. Yet the above Scripture proves that conclusion to be hasty and wrong.
I am not better than people who do not know Jesus, not in myself. I too need to repent.
I am not more deserving of God's blessings than people who do not yet believe, I too need to repent.
Mt 5:45, "For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."
God's grace is everywhere drawing hearts to Himself. God's judgment is everywhere, provoking wayward hearts to repentance, and I am still in the thick of it, grateful for eyes to see and ears to hear, and a heart that longs for His ways to be more fully formed in me.
Yes another year. As it begins I have health and strength and an opportunity to respond in repentance and faith to the God who made me. Just like everyone else who lives on my street, and in my state, and on this earth.
Humbled,
james
Comments
Posted by: Fred M. Schmid | January 14, 2008 09:30 PM
Blessings in the New Year...We all struggle, but let us live in the light of God's promises signed, sealed, and delivered in Christ. There is hope in the New Year,
Yours in Christ...
Posted by: Adam | January 15, 2008 12:30 AM
I was talking about the exact same thing with friends at college this evening (both not believers, yet). Does God grant us favor in all circumstances simply because we are in Christ? No but I know He allows us to endure, if we choose. I to believe that by leading a repented lifestyle we can hear the Holy Spirit building us up. For me it's better to clearly hear my Father than to rejoice in the punishment of the un-Godly. Lord help me to be mindful and not judge, seeing as I/we judge the most.
Posted by: Fred Schmid Jr | January 17, 2008 06:59 PM
Sometimes I see wicked people, and I become thankful for the judgment of God. I know that I need to be loving people though. "Love your enemies." As far as the suffering of the righteous servant, I think Job is the example. He completely throws the thinking of his day on its head. (Do good=blessing, Do bad=curse.) Theodicy struggles with the problem of why the wicked thrive. We endure suffering if we choose, yes. But its more than that. God is with us in suffering. We can find comfort in him.
Posted by: Annie | January 21, 2008 12:26 AM
Just remember we suffer differently than unbelievers, because God is with us, Jesus lives in us and the holy spirit guides us.
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