Lent Eighteen One "Get up and Walk"

 

The Destruction of Pompeii by John Martin - Tate Gallery London

The only thing that stops God sending a second flood is that the first flood was useless.  Nicolas Chamfort, Characters and Anecdotes, 1771

Nicolas Chamfort lives through the French Revolution.  He was so distressed by the crushing of freedoms during 'the terror' that he was resolved to write a suicide note and shoot himself.  The gun misfired and damaged his face.  He then tried to stab himself with a quill knife, which wasn't up to the job.  He died in agony over a six month period.  What a life!  He believed that everyone should be free to say anything.  I do too.  But there are things we choose not to say and do because we love those around us, even our enemies.  As St Augustine says "Love God, and do as you please."

Paul's Letter to the Roman Belivers Chapter Three

Is there any advantage in being born into a family of the faith? Why yes, many benefits, but it doesn't mean these people are any different? Of course not. The Creator knows who is honest and true. So does our wickedness serve the purpose of demonstrating the Creator's goodness? Well, that's no way to conduct a relationship. Ridiculous. "The more I hurt you the better it is?" Think about it. So people born into following the Creator, they are better than other? Not at all. We are all subject to the same pressures and temptations. It says time and again in the sacred writings of the Jews,  "We are all desirous to do wrong and displease our Creator." The Creator's word spells it out; without ambiguity, We know what pleases the one who created us. --- So not one of us is able to live in a way that keeps us in harmony with the Creator. The good news is that a way has been made clear how the damage can be repaired. We are made well through our relationship with Jesus. This is true for everyone, no matter what their situation might be. We are all the same and in need of the same relational restoration. And because we are loved so much by our Creator, this way has been made possible. For the Creator took on the penalty of our crimes, just as a parent pays the debt committed by their children. This involved Jesus forfeiting his own life and suffering extreme torture. Before time began, it was known that this would have to happen to restore the injury to our relationship. All of history looked to this moment, and now we look back on it, and its significance. In summary:- Can we boast that we have salvaged our relationship with the Creator? Not one bit. It's not based on our actions. Is the Creator interested in only those born into faith? Again absolutely not. We are equally loved. Given our relationship is now secure, can we please ourselves? That's ridiculous. We have a cherished relationship to protect and nurture. Pleasing our Creator is a sure sign of this. 

PRAYER:  I desire to please you in thought word and deed, and in return, I am free.