So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:21 NLT)
What kind of person would you find it easier to bow down to, submit to, or worship? The person who is easy to rebel against is the one who is mean and cruel, the one whose clear objective is to destroy you. You try and try, but you can never please this person.
What about the person who ignores you? This person considers you worthless and therefore not worthy of attention. You try everything from good to bad and it makes no difference in the response.
Then again there is the person who gives you everything. This person’s happiness is dependent on your happiness, so you are constantly pampered and protected. You don’t need to do a thing. Your wish is this person’s command.
What about a person who can be controlled? This person is powerful and operates by a set of rules that we determine. Unlike the previous person, this person can destroy us, but can also provide us with anything we want. If we do “A” then this person will do “B” and even when “A” causes harm to others it is worth it to receive “B” in return.
What about a person who has the power and right to destroy you, yet gives everything he has to save you? He is constantly watching out for you but does not need you to live. Everything he does is designed to help you live as he lives.
I’m sure I’ve done an inadequate job of describing God and all the idols we create as alternatives to worship. Paul wants us to know that we worship a God who loves us and has given His Son that we might live with Him forever. Why would we not submit to an all-powerful God who always has our best interest in mind? What could keep us from praising Him every opportunity we have?
Yesterday I read an article that described the experience of an atheist and former bond-trader who decided to explore life at the other end of the social spectrum. When he begins his journey, he has no need for a god of any kind. As he continues his journey, he discovers that the only groups of people who care for the addicts and prostitutes are the churches. These churches are made up of addicts and prostitutes, some recovered, some recovering, and others needing recovery. I don’t think the author has accepted the truth of Jesus yet, but he’s on his way.
On the streets, few can delude themselves into thinking they have it under control. You cannot ignore death there, and you cannot ignore human fallibility. It is easier to see that everyone is a sinner, everyone is fallible, and everyone is mortal. It is easier to see that there are things just too deep, too important, or too great for us to know. It is far easier to recognize that one must come to peace with the idea that we don’t and never will have this under control. It is far easier to see religion not just as useful, but as true. (Chris Arnade in First Things) The article contains some vulgar language, but can be found here.
Why is it so hard to see that we are fallible sinners who are very mortal? Every once in a while, our eyes are opened and we know that God’s grace is true and we bow down and worship.
For my grandchildren:
God’s love is real.
Check out mygrandmatime for more Family Bible Activities on the book of Romans.
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