THE LOGIC OF GOOD BOYS AND GIRLS

Rebekah’s children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”  Romans 9:12

         As a human being short on divine perception, I try to find loopholes around the truth that God elects who will be His child without any one of us earning our way into His good graces.

         Paul re-tells the story of Jacob and Esau.  He reveals that both are full-blooded Jewish children of Isaac.  Yet, before they were ever born and had done anything good or bad, God had already chosen Isaac.  This is a struggle, isn’t it?  I want to believe that Jacob’s heart was bent toward God and Esau’s wasn’t.  That’s why He chose Jacob.  But that just isn’t the case.  Their spiritual destiny was decided for them before conception.

         So whom does God elect today?  Can I tell ahead of time who will be God’s child?  If I have two children and one has always been a good boy and the other has been trouble from the start, does that give me a hint as to the one God will choose?  No.  The Gospel is just as much needed for both.  I remember that the ‘good boy’ in the prodigal son story turned out to be the one who had no heart for His Father.  His performance had been self-serving.  The rebel, in the end, embraced his father after radical mercy was extended to him.

         The subject of election can be a stumbling block to my faith because I’m like the older brother.  I believe that I’m good, am impressed by the good things I do, and I in no way resemble the rebel who spurns the love of God.  Surely God is more pleased with me.  When a prostitute, drunkard, or murderer comes to the altar, it can make me squirm.  The passion in their testimony is in stark contrast to my own lifeless praise to a God who has been equally merciful to me.

         God is not impressed with my ‘good girl’ behavior.  The question I must ask myself is this, “Am I aware that I have received radical mercy?”  I was once completely lost, even though outwardly good, and was condemned to a Christ-less eternity.  My good girl behavior was self-serving.  If I don’t own my lost-ness, praise will be stuck in my throat.

Crush any vestige of self-righteousness.  Show me how lost I was so that your love and mercy are alive to me.  Grant me the full joy of my election. Amen