Carrubbers
Christian Centre
We all have huge misconceptions about God. Most of us prefer to live with these rather than think them through. Its more comfortable that way. The fact that someone knows everything about us is disconcerting in the extreme. The worst of it is that we all have our skeletons hidden away deluding ourselves that only we hear them rattling. But God knows - and we know He knows.
A few weeks ago while awaiting my children's descent from a bouncy castle I couldn't help over hearing two women discussing their children as theirs joined with mine in attempting to bring up their last meal. 'Of course he's a Capricorn. That's why he's like his uncle Bill - and Tracey's a Virgo you'll be fine with her. Aunt Gladys was a Virgo - she was a fine looking women and never said a bad word about anybody.' As I watched Tracey trying to preserve her dignity by holding her trousers up with one hand and endeavouring to get a good bounce going with the other it amazed me that her mother would even contemplate that her daughter's character was in some way shaped by stars and planets. Its easier to believe anything than confront our accountability before a holy God. God allows no crutches in His presence. Its just Him and me - there is no place to hide - there is no sin He doesn't hate.
One night driving home with my six year old son he told me that when he grew up he wanted to be a policeman. "Dad don't worry I won't send you to jail." "Why would you have to jail me?" I asked. Without a hesitation he said "Speeding!" I applied the brakes! I know my son loves his dad, but to be a good policeman he will have to enforce the law even if its his father who has broken it. The true and living God is absolutely just - He cannot let our flagrant breaches of His law go unsettled. But God loves. How can He satisfy His law and at the same time satisfy His love?- He doesn't know a sinner He doesn't love.
A story is told of an old Indian tribe which prospered as a result of the wise counsel and laws set by its chief. Great store was placed in the rule that all tribe members had to respect the property rights of their neighbours. Bit by bit news spread through the tribe that items were going missing. Soon it was clear that their was a thief in the camp.
"When the thief is caught he will get ten lashes," decreed the chief. Despite the serious penalty the thefts continued until the chief had increased the sentence to forty lashes - ie. the death penalty. It made no difference. Morale in the camp slumped. The chief doubled the guard and after many weeks the thief was caught. With a worried frown one of the elders brought the news to the chief. "What's wrong" said the chief, "This a time for rejoicing - we will now put this villain to death". The elder looked away - "Chief, the thief is your mother!" What was this great and wise leader to do? Would he satisfy his law and put his own mother to death or satisfy his love and spare her life. Faced with his clear law the chief announced the day for the execution. A rough stake was fixed in the centre of the camp. The tribe gathered at the due time to watch the terrible spectacle. The mother was brought forward and manacled to the stake. Her clothes were ripped from her back. The executioner lifted a cruel arm ready and waiting for the chief's command to let the punishment commence. Not a sound was heard as the crowd stood by. The chief stood up, walked up to his mother, removed his shirt wrapped his own arms around his mother and gave the order to let the punishment commence. The tribe watched as the body of their chief was lacerated by the whip. He took the punishment she deserved. He satisfied his law and his love.
On the cross of Calvary God in Christ took our punishment. The innocent bore the penalty of the guilty. The scandal of the cross is not that God dealt with our sin in such a way but that we think we have a better way - He doesn't know another path to His throne except through the death of His son.
Always put off today that which you can do tomorrow. Most of us live that way. Making decisions takes effort. Decisions which require us to reconsider our whole world view are readily avoided.
If you have read this far, you are forced to make a choice. You can look for another website or switch off. That decision is of little consequence. There is, however another decision which you will make and which is of supreme importance because it affects your destiny - whether to accept or reject your Creator's forgiveness through the death of His son.
God demands a response. He refuses to leave any of us sitting on the fence but, He has made it clear that a time will come when He has no more to say and will leave the individual to the tyranny of his own free will. None can guarantee tomorrow. Whatever your decision you have made it now - He doesn't know a better time to accept His plan of Salvation.
