The Devil In Mr. Jones

     Consider the fact that the Law was GIVEN (according to Paul's writing in Romans) BECAUSE of TRANSGRESSION, providing full expression of human sinfulness in light of God's righteousness. It wasn't intended to be the "righteous standard" for us to try and live by, creating favor with God... because we can't. The law had no power to impart righteousness or favor with God, or the power to uphold its decrees, only to expose our sinfulness and the corresponding condemnation and punishment. Which is why the Old Testament is FULL of accounts that testify from God's perspective about the reality of how BAD the human heart actually is... Paul merely repeated what the Old Testament said in Romans 3 when he was setting up the story of WHY the Gospels' provision is so desperately needed by humanity in general. "There is NONE righteous... no not ONE... NO ONE IS GOOD... No one seeks God... not even ONE. “ It gets worse as you read on, but the truth of the matter is, if we don't grasp the reality of "how bad we are" we will never clearly see the need for mercy and grace as the antidote for our own self-destructive condition. Neither will we be able to fully appreciate the free gift and exchange of the perfect sinless Christ as the substitute. However, once we are IN THE FOLD, tables turn and we are to be ever reminded of the life and righteousness that has been eternally imparted into our being by God's provision. And, although I no longer see myself as a mere "sinner," I try to remain humble before God due to the fact that I still have a problem with sin in my life. We ALL do. Anyone who says they don't is essentially a LIAR. Until we cast off this body of flesh, we will have an ever-present reminder of our humanity being slaves to sin.

    When reading the Gospels in light of the question, "What offends Jesus?" one quickly comes to understand that religious zeal, prompted by a deep self-righteous mind-set pretty much tops the list. Self-righteousness is often founded upon the false notion that we are inherently "good" and only lacking in being educated enough to modify any behaviors that are standing in the way of moral superiority. And when we DO modify our behaviors in this light... we take pride in our actions, lifestyle, etc. and lose ALL touch with the fundamental need for God's love, mercy and grace. (More often than not we excuse our upsetting behaviors with self-justifying reasons that don't even soothe our own conscience.) We begin to assume that we can "bargain" or "cut deals" with God because of our “proven goodness" (which is never the case). In other words, WE believe we can determine and measure and judge the standard of our performance, and hold God accountable for corresponding rewards and blessings. This attitude and understanding proves our total blindness to the very condition that stands between God and us. HOWEVER... Rom 5:5 says, "But to one who not working (by Law) TRUSTS in Him Who JUSTIFIES THE WICKED, his faith is credited to him as righteousness-the standing acceptable to God." So I frequently remind myself not only of who I am trusting in, but of the fact that faith is vital in the equation, causing God to PASSOVER my wickedness and call me RIGHTEOUS!

     We have a tendency to "neuter" the Gospel by forgetting to make the point that "someone had to DIE on OUR behalf..." Coming to that realization is most difficult and often shocking. "Churched" people take it for granted, AND there is such a common lethargy in the church world today because the truth HAS been essentially "neutered." Social club mentality in today’s churches can't afford such negative language. There is a reason for that... I find that an "I'm OK, you're OK" presentation has become so very pervasive within the spiritual landscape, common to today’s pop theology. The presentation of the Gospel is serious business. People have died throughout the last several thousand years for being fearless to speak to individuals or large demographics about the reality of human depravity and spelling out scripturally WHY we need to be saved. I will stick to my guns on this matter... if we don't know why we need to be saved, or what we need to be saved from (always within ourselves)... we will never value grace, much less the penalty Christ paid to make it available. We have exchanged a Biblical "world view" for something trendy, cool, socially acceptable, politically-correct, comfortable, non-threatening and undemanding. All of this renders us neutered of spiritual power. And we wonder why? Considering that fact, does God still love us? You bet... enough to save us from the dangers of what dwells within every heart... even mine. I, for one, know fully well how bad I am... like the old hymn "Come Thou Fount" says... "Prone to wander, Lord I feel it!” But I'm also FULLY aware of the ONE IN WHOM I TRUST in spite of the wickedness I've laid at His feet. The devil in Mr. Jones doesn't scare God in the least. Actually, God is very familiar with that element in all of us and has sworn by an oath that it will never be held to our account... we walk free. No guilt, no shame, and no condemnation. Who could ask for anything more?

 

Drink deeply...