"Judging God"
August 6, 2016
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. "For who has understood the mind of the Lord as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:14-16
Years ago, C. S. Lewis said, "There are two kinds of people (in this world): those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'All right, then, have it your way.'"
Lewis was right. By the Spirit's power we can do as God says, or we can do what we want.
Years ago, when Jesus walked the earth, people knew that God was in control. They knew that God was their Judge and they would have to answer to Him for the sins they had committed. Their helplessness was a frightening concept, which filled hearts with despair.
That is why when Jesus came into this world His message of salvation, the work He did, the forgiveness He won, the salvation He procured was received by believers with joy.
Sadly, our age has changed in its view of our relationship with the Lord.
On an ego trip unprecedented in human history, many people today have felt quite justified to reverse roles with God.
They have booted the Lord out of the Judge's seat and decided that they have the right to sit in His chair and hand down opinions on His actions.
* If a hurricane rolls over the levees of New Orleans or a tsunami sweeps over the lowlands of Asia, they demand to know how God can be so cruel.
* If children are murdered in a Pennsylvania schoolhouse, if hijacked jets are flown into office buildings in New York, they demand to know: "Where is God!"
* If their tire goes flat on the freeway, if the wind drives their golf ball into the rough, or rain falls, disrupting their vacation, God is condemned as being unfair and sentenced for His deficiency in charity.
The modern, unbelieving man holds that God -- if there is a God -- should do what he wants, what he demands.
Lord, preserve us from this kind of pride. Deliver us from such lunacy.
Help us remember our frailty, even as we recall the Lord's potent power and great grace. Help us focus our eyes upon the cross. Keep us standing before the empty tomb. Let us do what God says. Let us believe on the Savior.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I pray You will, for a while, reserve Your judgment upon proud humanity. Humble them and let them see that forgiveness and salvation are theirs only when they renounce their sins and come to Jesus for heaven-sent, blood-bought mercy. This I ask in the Savior's Name. Amen.
