LEST I BE THE ONE SHORT-CIRCUITED

LEST I BE THE ONE SHORT-CIRCUITED

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Isaiah [MKJV] 55:6-9  Seek Jehovah while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to Jehovah, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways My ways, says Jehovah. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. [Highlighting mine. EBB4]

Romans [GW] 5:1-10  Now that we have God's approval by faith, we have peace with God because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done. Through Christ we can approach God and stand in his favor. So we brag because of our confidence that we will receive glory from God. But that's not all. We also brag when we are suffering. We know that suffering creates endurance, endurance creates character, and character creates confidence. We're not ashamed to have this confidence, because God's love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Look at it this way: At the right time, while we were still helpless, Christ died for ungodly people. Finding someone who would die for a godly person is rare. Maybe someone would have the courage to die for a good person. Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This demonstrates God's love for us. Since Christ's blood has now given us God's approval, we are even more certain that Christ will save us from God's anger. If the death of his Son restored our relationship with God while we were still his enemies, we are even more certain that, because of this restored relationship, the life of his Son will save us.

Matthew [GW] 20:1-16 "The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at daybreak to hire workers for his vineyard. After agreeing to pay the workers the usual day's wages, he sent them to work in his vineyard. About 9 a.m. he saw others standing in the marketplace without work. He said to them, 'Work in my vineyard, and I'll give you whatever is right.' So they went. "He went out again about noon and 3 p.m. and did the same thing. About 5 p.m. he went out and found some others standing around. He said to them, 'Why are you standing here all day long without work?' "'No one has hired us,' they answered him. "He said to them, 'Work in my vineyard.' "When evening came, the owner of the vineyard told the supervisor, 'Call the workers, and give them their wages. Start with the last, and end with the first.' "Those who started working about 5 p.m. came, and each received a day's wages. When those who had been hired first came, they expected to receive more. But each of them received a day's wages. Although they took it, they began to protest to the owner. They said, 'These last workers have worked only one hour. Yet, you've treated us all the same, even though we worked hard all day under a blazing sun.' "The owner said to one of them, 'Friend, I'm not treating you unfairly. Didn't you agree with me on a day's wages? Take your money and go! I want to give this last worker as much as I gave you. Can't I do what I want with my own money? Or do you resent my generosity towards others?' "In this way the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Luke [GW] 15 … I can guarantee that God's angels are happy about one person who turns to God and changes the way he thinks and acts. [Rom.12:1-2]" Then Jesus said, "A man had two sons. …

Luke [GW] 23:39-43 One of the criminals hanging there insulted Jesus by saying, "So you're really the Messiah, are you? Well, save yourself and us!" But the other criminal scolded him: "Don't you fear God at all? Can't you see that you're condemned in the same way that he is? Our punishment is fair. We're getting what we deserve. But this man hasn't done anything wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom." Jesus said to him, "I can guarantee this truth: Today you will be with me in paradise."

  A few minutes ago I read of Jesse Jackson’s call “for President Barack Obama to issue a blanket pardon to Hillary Clinton before he leaves office,” so as to short-circuit any possible future proceedings. Would this be fair? I answer the question as Jesus’ frequently did so, with questions: Is God fair? Is He logical? And what is of utmost importance for the followers of Christ?

  In answering first understand that when I speak of God I’m talking about the Word, Logos; God of the Bible, my Savior; Father, Lord Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit. Accepting the challenging question, Is God fair? – In1Corinthians 2:14 natural thinking God is not logical or fair.

  His sending His son to die for this sinner and the rest of you rebellious rascals is illogical.

  His not valuing people for what they can do for Him is illogical. (He doesn’t need us!)

  His loving people with agape love is absolutely illogical.

  His not being “fair” is illogical beyond normal comprehension.

  His redemption in daily living and everlasting life is illogical.

  His sharing operational knowledge and wisdom is illogical.

  His longsuffering patience is illogical. (2Pet.3:9)

  How glad and thankful I am that God is not logical!

  God is not fair, and I am so very glad for it! For if God was fair I would get justice: Precisely what was/is deserved at all times. Jesus pointed out this wonderful truth about our perfect Father: God being gracious and forgiving as opposed to our concepts of rigid fairness.

  Thoughtfully considering God’s Word I see that for me to expect life to be totally fair is immature, unrealistic, and ungodly. This admittedly is a Biblical precept conflicting with human concept. It is definitely difficult to wrap one’s mind around and even harder to accept and to personally manifest in our present daily journey among others.

  Consider again the Matthew 20 vineyard account.    

  Then there’s Luke 15;11-32. We like to favor the central character as “The Prodigal Son”, but actually the main person is the gracious Father. Identifying with the wayward child, a story we love to accept, unless of course we are of the mindset of the Pharisees and scribes (vs.2) . . . or the dependable responsibly living elder son (vs.28-30) with infantile view of the Father’s way.

  Also let us not forget the totally unworthy late-comer at Calvary.

  I much prefer God’s unfair treatment; living under His love, grace and mercy. How about you? 

  So, rather than powering a demon-strive reputation of ranting, shall we be illogical, godly, and pray for Hillary Clinton, Jesse Jackson, and _______? If not, will it not be we that are short-circuited?

EBB4