April 21, 2022

For if we would judge ourselves, then we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are being chastened by the Lord that we may not be condemned with the world. 1 Corinthians 11:31-32

Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD, and teach out of Your law. Psalm 94:12

Too often when we suffer the natural consequences of poor decisions, we adopt an attitude of self-pity along with resentment toward God. At the same time we fail to appreciate the hedge of protection that He has placed around us from dangers of which we know nothing. It is well worth considering that difficult situations may be allowed for our benefit.

Our gracious God allows for righteous judgement to proceed in stages; and each of us is invited to participate. A healthy self-examination, in light of the written Word, is the beginning of judgement. We are given opportunity to come into agreement with the-God-who-sees (Genesis 16:13). Our human nature has a strong tendency toward procrastination. But God, in His mercy, often permits trying circumstances that have a way of speeding up the defining of our characters. A powerful example:

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Luke 23:39-41

Recognition of getting what we deserve, namely death (and we indeed justly!) is a giant leap toward getting what we do not deserve, namely eternal life with Jesus in the new heaven and new earth. It is interesting that the unrepentant thief began his demand with nearly identical words as Satan when he addressed Jesus in the wilderness: “If You are the Son of God…” (see Matthew 4:3, Luke 4:3)

Coming into a saving relationship with God means agreeing with Him that I am guilty of breaking His perfect law of love, accepting the sacrifice of His sinless Son in my place as a just payment for my disobedience, and receiving His Holy Spirit that I may actively pursue the safe and narrow path of righteousness. In sending Jesus on the mission to earth, God demonstrated that He is 100% merciful AND 100% just. And it is in sending His Holy Spirit that He continues to fulfill the role of the Good Shepherd while securing His own inheritance. Beloved, you and I are His inheritance! He has invested Himself in creating and redeeming each of us. Heaven will be peopled with joyful, law-abiding citizens.

Save Your people, And bless Your inheritance; Shepherd them also, and bear them up forever. Psalm 28:9

For the LORD will not cast off His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance. But judgement will return to righteousness, And all the upright in heart will follow it. Psalm 94:14-15

Let us be partakers of the grace that He imparts—as we need it—to show our love by keeping His law (John 14:15). He is never early or late; He is always right on time, beloved! Our genuine repentance from dead works avails His power to lead us safely through life in this degenerate, sinful world….all the way Home to Him. Pray…

…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead... Ephesians 1:17-20a