GM FBF. Thank you Jesus for your grace and your mercy this Friday. (The Beauty of Holines, Part 3). Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himsel, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24) [The beauty of Gods holy attributes should compel us to fall immediately before Him in ceaseless worship and delight. Do we? A close inspection of our behavior reveals the answer. Gods beautiful nature is adored by sinful man . . . When it agrees with his self-interest. Man cries out to Gods omnipotence when he wants to be rescued from the consequences of sin, but he rails against Gods sovereignty when it takes the life of one he loves. Man comforts himselft in Gods omniscience when it keep track of his good deeds; he hates Gods knowledge when it holds him accountable for misbehavior. Man loves Gods omnipresence when hes fearful; he rejects it when hes engaged in immorality. Man delights in Gods freedom to do as He pleases-except when it crosses his plans. Man rejoices in Gods perfect justice because it punishes his evil adversaries; he spurns it when hes committed the crime. Some may object: Arent there attributes of God that all people worship, like His mercy and love?? Yes-when it serves their purposes. Man receives Gods mercy when its extended to him; he scornes it when its extended to his rivals. Man relishes Gods love when it results in his salvation from hell; he repudiates Gods love when it results in salvation for his mothers murderer. Man is pleased when God is patient with him; he cant understand why God would be patient with his atheistic neighbor. Its perfectly logical that God would be slow to anger with him; its unbelievable that God would be slow to anger with dictators. Do you see the problem? Our self-seeking stands in the way of our worship. Hence our need for self-denial, as todays verse so clearly articulates. NTJ] Agape you!
Posted on: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 09:58:23 +0000
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