| Favor in Fault |
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Does God's favor rest on churches in theological error?
God's View When you shop for a friend's birthday present, don't you wish you could know exactly what they'll like? You could know this person for twenty years, and still wonder what to get them. Have I imposed my own tastes on them? Wouldn't they look better in...don't they already have fifteen pairs... Do you know what God wants? God has expressed some issues very clearly, while leaving others open to interpretation. When your friend's birthday comes up, they might ask for a specific book they haven't read, but their other requests might list like "a watch, CD's, restaurant gift certificates." The beauty of the uncertainty comes when you find that you knew that person well enough to tailor that gift to their personal tastes. If you didn't, you both laugh and say, "It's the thought that counts." Gift-giving isn't always easy. The recipient reminds the giver that they won't wear pink, or they already have the whole set of albums of that musician, or they can't use tickets for nights they are working. But what ends up in the box? Mistakes are made. Sometimes we imagine that our friends need something. People give others unrequested weight loss books, self-help tapes and blind dates, imagining the person will turn around, see the light and reform. The recipient feels control, rejection, and condescension at the same time they're saying, "Hey, I bought them a nice present." In the real world, favor is conditional. In God's realm, favor is always attainable. We want to give him the best, but we don't always find out what that is. When Job experienced loss, his friends accused Job. Instead of comforting or supporting Job, they said what they considered true--that God punished him for disobedience. God replied, “You two acquaintances heat up my face, for you have not spoken what is right.” God asked them to offer a sacrifice in front of Job, and ask Job to pray for them. God restored what was taken from Job, including respect (Job 42:7). When a person exalts themselves above or against the knowledge of God, they allow space for deception to move in. God wants us to be close to him, discussing our decisions with him, expressing our frustrations. Lean on Him. Justice In the Old Testament, we see God with a clear sense of justice. He is protective of widows and orphans and victims. He also is readily willing to forgive. In the New Testament, we see Him value discernment, with a heart ready to forgive. In both cases, God asks that we humble ourselves and draw near. Many of the letters of the New Testament were admonitions to churches that were sliding off the center. We must admit that we all err, to different extents. When the disciples slipped, Jesus confronted them. When the early church got off base, Paul wrote a letter or visited. Even the great saints had to stay on their toes. Jesus warned, "But an hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think that he is offering service to God" (John 16:2). But unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, shall be wrath and indignation. Romans 2:8 NASB Cause and Effect Because you have defiled my sanctuary with your idolatries and immoralities, I will withhold, I will not cover you, and will not show compassion. Ezekiel 5:11 If you're afraid that God doesn't see the injustices that your church has placed on people, read Hosea 5. God addresses corrupt priests. “You will stumble in your iniquity.” God will allow a corrupt person's own actions to trip them up. God withdraws his face, so seeking him, they will not find him. We often overreact when we read of God's expression of rage. Have you ever looked at why He's angry? Usually someone was treated unfairly. God is like the father who goes after the bully who picked on his kid. He is like the mother who calls school when her daughter's homework was graded . God's sensibilities about fairness are revealed across Proverbs 14-16. Zephaniah 3 speaks of not listening to the voice, accepting correction, trusting God, or drawing near to Him. The city's judges were wolves, the prophets deceptive. The intimidation from the leaders wore people down. God sees what you have seen. He knows when a leader is deceptive. He understands the anger you feel inside over injustices. He stands behind what is fair, and upholds the truth. Truth We can always prove that we are right, but is the Lord convinced? Commit your work to the Lord, then it will succeed. It is a horrible thing for a king to do evil. His right to rule depends upon his fairness. Prov. 16:2, 3, 12 LB The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won't face facts. Prov. 14:8 If you profit from constructive criticism, you will be elected to the wise men's hall of fame. But to reject criticism is to harm yourself and your own best interests. Humility and reverence for the Lord will make you both wise and honored. Proverbs 15:31-33 LB Remember that our battle is not against people. We should want the best for each person. They might be decieved at the time, or misled, or in an arrogant phase. They might be earnestly trying to follow what their leader has said is right. Be wise in your approach. Keep your head above murky water. Hearing God First It would only seem logical that the people God defends are the ones closest to Him. Getting his favor isn't a matter of impressing Him, but simply staying in communication. The Lord hates the gifts of the wicked, but delights in the prayers of his people. Proverbs 15:8 There might be times when situations are difficult, but they prepare us for things we want to accomplish later. Silver and gold are purified by fire, but God purifies the heart. Proverbs 17:3 Sometimes it seems that we'll never deserve his favor. Good point. We never do, but he has declared that our worth isn't on the same standard we would put it. We're his children, whether we act like it or not. Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are they who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18 As a father has compassion on His children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. Psalm 103:13 So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people. Hebrews 9:28 This discussion can go on and on. The conclusions you will see from these verses, though, are that we are continually responsible for our actions, and God is always ready to help us discern the truth. He will also pull us out of a destructive situation. Any question that seems complex is complex, and that's why God offers advice on so many sides of the issue. He constantly works with the individuals to change their hearts and salvage what is half-good. God is love. God loves us all. Any professional counselor will tell you, real mutual love involves some self-sacrifice, patience and concerted effort from everyone involved. Relationships aren't easy, but they're rewarding. Partnerships are rarely balanced, but they often speed progress. If you're wondering about whether to stay with a specific church or organization, keep these things in mind: 1. We all make mistakes. 2. We are all gullible to fall into others' misleadings. 3. There are natural consequences for errors. 4. You should act as a positive force in every situation. 5. You might need to help another with the same concerns, to keep a clear head. 6. You might already be drained to the point that you can't withstand more attacks. Without solid health and strength, you lose solid mind and soul. The most important thing to remember is that God is with you. He is beside you in that situation, and knows the way out. He wants the best for you. Come, let us reason together, says the Lord. Isaiah 60:10 Hosea 2:23 Hebrews 10:14 Ephesians 1:7 I Timothy 1:15 |
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