The
average human being would like to have his cake and eat it. He or she does not
often submit to instructions willingly. Human beings like to have it their own
way. Adam and Eve whose DNA has been passed on to us, did likewise in the
Garden of Eden. Rather than obey, we rationalise.
We
are quick to try and wriggle out of ‘a bind’ by using baseless and groundless
arguments that cannot hold water. We make vague assumptions that are not
founded on biblical truths, precepts or principles – just because we do not
want to comply.
It
is time we stop second-guessing God. God speaks clearly without ambiguity.
God’s Word is straightforward. If we do not understand what He means, we can
ask Him to clarify. All God’s utterances should be taken seriously. The first
instruction given to Adam was misconstrued and diluted that it landed humanity
in trouble. “Do not eat of the tree for when you eat of it you will die.” was
openly flouted when the serpent sowed seeds of doubt in the minds of the couple
Adam and Eve.
As
we reflect on our past - particularly our youthful days - we can identify with
the number of times when out of ignorance of the word of God we were misled
into thinking that we could have it our own way by asking for forgiveness each
time we falter. We unashamedly fall back on God’s promise: “If we confess our
sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) We indulge in the same sin and repeatedly ask
for forgiveness, counting on God’s mercy.
God
told father Abraham to walk before Him and be perfect as He is perfect. “I am
God Almighty, walk before me and be blameless.” (Genesis 17:1b) Each time we
sin, we are breaking the bond that unites us with the Father. Sin separates us
from the love of God. Under no circumstance can God tolerate sin. So we must
seek to walk in righteousness.
Yes,
we may fall in and out of sin; we may commit some silly mistakes sometimes. But
we cannot live a life of sin and expect our Father to turn a blind eye. He
expects each time we slip to come to our senses and the realisation of the
truth, repent and quit sinning in order to be restored. Most of us have
experienced that rude awakening in our walk with God.
The
Bible says that God’s “commands are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3) Whatever has
been prescribed for us falls within our capabilities to carry out or respect.
Our sacrifices do not compensate for our disobedience. The prophet speaking to
King Saul on behalf of God conveyed; “Does the Lord delight in burnt offering
and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of God? To obey is better than
sacrifice ...” (1 Samuel 15:22)
We
cannot continue twisting and thwarting God’s word to suit our personal
inclinations and cravings with a rather lame excuse ‘Lord, I am not perfect.’
Adam blamed his act of disobedience on Eve, “The woman you put here with me
...” (Genesis 3:12) Passing the buck is an uncanny way to get out of our mess.
Admission of guilt constitutes the first step to repentance.
Little
compromises, little foxes.
The
minor concessions that we make for the benefit of the devil are like
cankerworms that eat into our psyche and cause sometimes irretrievable damage
-- far more than we bargained for at the initial stage. Such actions may not seem to impact our lives
considerably at the time. However, with hindsight they cause much regrets. King
Solomon refers to them as little foxes that can easily compromise the harvest
once they get into our fields. We must be wary of such happenings.
Abraham
had two wives
When
we talk about sexual immorality, most people hide behind clichés like: but
Abraham had two wives. The answer to that flawed reaction is that we are not
living in the Old Testament times. Polygamy had stripped the household of
Jacob, Elkana, David and Abraham to name but a few, of their peace. Why would
we want to pursue that path? No one likes to live in discord, quarrels and
tension. Therefore the apostle admonished that a deacon must be a man of one
wife. (1Timothy 3:2) If he has to concentrate on his ministry, he does not have
a choice.
Sexual
pervasion was prevalent in the Old Testament. We see Sarah who was barren
inviting her husband to go to bed with her maidservant who conceived and bore
Abraham a son. Because it was not God’s bidding Abraham suffered moral stress
and had to relinquish Hagar for peace and sanity to prevail. Jacob cheated, laid with his maidservant, yet
God was merciful and patient with him.
Human
beings have a strange way of construing things. Some believe that it is the one
who gave birth to the Messiah’s mother that should be more venerated than the
Son (Jesus) whom she bore. Spiritual things cannot be understood by human
logic. No human being comes into this earth without using a human vessel. Our
Lord’s birth could not be an exception or else it could have been considered
magic not in keeping with the norm. God
needed a womb and found a willing receptacle in Mary. The call to save humanity
and the world was an assignment given to Jesus not to his mother. (...to be continued)
