WHO IS UNREASONABLE?

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight.  Romans 3:20

            The one whom I offend is the one who has the right to tell me what it will take to make the relationship right.  If I steal from my neighbor and he wants the stolen goods back along with a sincere apology, but I bring him gifts instead, he will still hold the offense in his heart.  I have failed to make things right.  “But I was kind to him,” I argue.  “You just can’t make him happy no matter how nice you are to him!” I complain.  The problem is my rebellion against addressing the real issue.

            God is the One whom we have offended.  He addresses the problem of our sin, held up against His holiness, in all of scripture.  He makes it plain that the only remedy is a Savior, whom He lovingly provided.  Yet, everyday men and women refuse to come to Him on His terms.  They do kind things, join a church, contribute to philanthropic ventures, feel better about themselves in the process, and declare that God should be happy with them.  When they hear the Gospel, they are offended by God’s diagnosis of their sin and His provision of a Lamb on their behalf and call him ‘impossible to please’. 

            A study was done some time back on the life and lifestyles of the mob.  Not surprisingly, there were many confirmations of brutal murders, extortion, gambling, etc.  Surprisingly, it was discovered that within their extended families, there was tenderness, respect, consideration and kindness.  They were loyal friends and defended one another admirably.  But this way of life was only to preserve their well-being – and it was done at the expense of everyone else.  Should their good deeds excuse them?  We think not.

            God is holy.  God is eternal.  God is the Creator of me, a sinner.  He has the total right and authority to define sin, to define how life should work.  My part is to squash my own rebellion against any of His words and defer to Him.  He is not hard to please.  He gave me His Spirit to enable joyful obedience.  He is not unloving.  He provided His only Son, as a Savior, to die for my rebellion.  I have no ground whatsoever to name call.  That is the ultimate offense against One who gave everything so that I could be delivered from the things I clutch with both hands, the things which bring death, not life.  Is there any King so kind!

I play by Your rules.  Your opinion is the only one that counts.  And, whatever You say is the only thing that will be good for me in the long run anyway.  I totally defer to You, humbly.  Amen