How involved is God?

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Timmy, my grandmother used to say, "Show me a man who will lie... and I'll show you a man who will steal and kill."

You see, stealing a candy bar isn't the problem with a person Timmy. The stealing is just a symptom. The lying, cheating, killing, adultery, lust, homosexuality, violence, drunkeness, etc.... are all just symptoms if a deeper far more serious problem. We can see sin in an action... but sin itself is a broader principle at work in mankind's fallen nature. It is sin that inspires stealing, lying, adultery, and murder. The very same sin that inspires a tiny "white lie" is the same sin that inspired the Holocaust. It is a complete disregard for divine authority. It is an absolute challenge to God's sovereignty as King of all things. When we steal, we play God. God who gives and takes away as He wills... we see ourselves as being "God" and able to give and take at will. When we kill... we play God. God alone rules when a man is to die... we assume we have that right and seek to take the life of another. We try to kick God off of the throne of creation and be our own little God.

Nothing with a nature so vile and rebellious can live in harmony with God throughout eternity. It must be stopped... it must also be punished to uphold "justice". A man named Dale disregarded the law and chose to drive drunk. He hit my brother while he was crossing the street on Drummer Ave. in Dayton Ohio to go to the park. The man was drunk, speeding, and out of control. Total disregard for authority. He hit my brother at a high rate of speed, my seven year old brother got tangled up under the car and was drug nearly three blocks. He later died at Miami Valley Hospital. The man's problem wasn't his drinking... it was SIN. God will judge Dale with a fearsome and eternal justice... unless Dale falls on his knees and seeks a loving and eternal grace. I pray he's found it. And I pray that if he hasn't... he will.

While we think of God as vindictive... let's remember... God is a KING. He must keep order in His creation. He must uphold justice, order, and law. And God has chosen to give us this minute space of time called life as a "grace period" whereby we can turn to Him and be forgiven of even the most vile acts. God also promises to regenerate our Spirits and to aid in putting that sin nature in check...if we will walk in accordance to His Spirit as directed in the Word. God doesn't have to be so forgiving. But He chooses to be... because God loves us. Many don't see God this way. They want God to approve of their deeds and ignore their sinful rebellious nature that will one day drive them to spit in the face of God. Think of it Timmy... God is everywhere. That means that God is sitting right next to you now. And He was sitting next to you when you called Him "vindictive". What options do you leave Him with regards to your placement in eternity? The question is rhetorical and I don't desire you to answer here. I only want you to think about the question. So many have already declared themselves enemies of God... when God is the very one pleading for their surrender and salvation. If God's prevenient grace is active in your life Timmy and He's calling you to Himself... don't delay. Follow that calling and embrace a Father who loves you. But don't be mislead... He's a fearsome King who will judge and punish His enemies with an eternal justice.

Very, very few people who steal candy bars will ever graduate to grand theft or murder. If it makes you feel warm and fuzzy to think God has to punish even the tiniest sin just because some people do worse things, you are welcome to it.