Consequences part 3
Yesterday we looked at good consequences that comes from acts of love. Charity. Love in action. Today I think we should look at the flip side of that. So let's start with Acts 7:42 in the Message Bible, "God wasn't at all pleased; but he let them do it their way, worship every new god that came down the pike--and live with the consequences, consequences described by the prophet Amos: Did you bring me offerings of animals and grains those forty years, O Israel?" And I've always said it like this: God is too much of a gentleman to force His will on you. He wants what's best for you. Has made a way where there is no way. Has prepared a table for you in the presence of your enemies. He has made what's best for you available to you. But even when it doesn't please Him... he let's you do it your way. It's that measure of freewill that we talk about. I believe that on the cross Jesus wasn't particularly worried about whether or not we wanted to be drawn into Him. And I think that in our heart of hearts there's nobody who wouldn't want to be drawn into the arms of a loving heavenly Father, whether they're willing to admit it or not. But that's not the point today. The point today is that God will let us do what we're of a mind to do. Very rarely does He pull a Jonah, where He REALLY kind of insists on things. Generally speaking God calls someone, they freak out and ask for a sign, He gives them a sign, and then they do what they're called to do. At least, you know, Biblically speaking. That's what was mostly recorded for us to see and use as an example. And I've heard my pastor say, "Some are called, and some are cornered." But that's more of an internal deal. Not necessarily a trip into a fish's belly. It's a conviction from the Holy Spirit. Which is why when people ask me, "Is such and such a sin?" Smoking, for example. Or drinking. "They drank wine in the Bible!" Listen, man, that's between you and God. If you can get it past the Holy Spirit you can get it past me. If you feel ok with it, and you're not hurting anybody... live your best life. But remember: There ARE consequences to every action. Newton's third law, right? For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. What you do matters. What you do affects things. But the point... man, I don't know if I'm making my point today. My point is that when you do something you shouldn't... and it manifests a consequence that you don't like... that's not God getting mad and throwing a fit and punishing you. That's just what happens. Like when God told Adam that if Adam ate from the tree of knowlege of good and evil he would surely die... that wasn't God threatening punishment. That was God warning Adam about the natural consequences of his actions. Eat from the tree of death...? Guess what: You're going to die. It has nothing to do with punishment. God doesn't punish us for sin. He saved us from sin. God is not in the punishment business. He is in the chastening and correcting business, but that's totally different. And, even when we do what He doesn't want us to do... and reap the consequences of those actions... He is STILL in the restoration business. He is ready, willing, and able to clean up our messes. Like my Bible case says, "God allows U-turns." And, in fact, I believe He encourages them!