We Are Inexcusable

God's Word reveals Him to man but also provides insight to people to know themselves.  In the light of God's glory and majesty man's fallen nature is in stark contrast.  As God's character is absolutely good and righteous, the depraved, fickle, hypocritical hearts and minds of men are stunningly consistent, even predictable.  We are masters of exploitation, of manipulation, or angling to hide our flaws and benefit ourselves.  That's the crazy thing about it:  if we will be honest at some level (whether we want to admit it or not) this tendency is in us all.  We can try to ignore or deny it, but it lies latent until it is stirred up.

It is easy to find fault or inconsistency in others, but Paul said in Romans 2:1, "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things."  This principle rings true to life, doesn't it?  Everything we criticise in others we are guilty of exactly the same thing to some degree.  Here's a personal example:  I was always suspicious of people cheating in games because I was a cheater.  It's like my concern of being cheated was heightened because I was naturally drawn to do the same.  The thing that bothers you about others (the things you see as negative) are things you do too--like lying, being hypocritical, gossiping, laziness, and on.

There is a great example in the Bible I read the other night.  Korah and hundreds of displeased dissidents murmured against those God called to lead Israel and Numbers 16:3 says, "They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?"  The response of Moses was amazing as the man God chose to shepherd His people out of Egypt and to the promised land:  he fell on his face before the LORD.  He knew how he resisted and did not aspire to the role of leading when God appeared to him, yet angry and judgmental people gathered who accused him of honouring himself!  Arguing with his accusers would only be seen as defensive, so what could he do but fall on the mercy of God?

Moses then told his accusers (who were all famous men of renown) to appear before the LORD the following day.  He directed them in Numbers 16:6-7:  "Do this: Take censers, Korah and all your company; ⁷ put fire in them and put incense in them before the LORD tomorrow, and it shall be that the man whom the LORD chooses is the holy one. You take too much upon yourselves, you sons of Levi!"  Korah and his mob accused Moses of taking too much upon himself, yet Moses told them the exact opposite was true:  their envy and ambition led them to take too much upon themselves!  Their own sin was projected upon Moses.  Now Moses had his faults to be sure, yet in this case this accusation was unfounded:  their problem was God who called and ordained Moses!  God confirmed this the next day when the earth swallowed up Korah and those loyal to him, and fire from God consumed those 250 men who burned incense.

When we are critical towards others it is a reminder for us to carefully examine ourselves, falling before God in humility and repentance.  Through insight provided by the Holy Spirit we are able to remove the plank from our own eye so we can see clearly when others have a speck in their eye.  We often make excuses for ourselves for our faults, but we are inexcusable before God.  In His grace by the Gospel we have been more than "excused" because our sins have been atoned for by the blood of Jesus; we have been cleansed and the righteousness of God has been imputed to us.  Knowing our natural tendencies revealed in God's Word provides insight so we can avoid pitfalls we have fallen into and lived in all our lives.

Regarding His Presence

King Jehoshaphat of Judah was a king who feared the LORD.  Though he was rebuked by God for alliances with kings of Israel who did not fear God, Jehoshaphat sought the LORD.  With both idolatrous Ahab and Jehoram there were instances when Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there not a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD by him?"  When other kings wondered and despaired of an uncertain future, Jehoshaphat sought the presence of the LORD.  Because Jehoshaphat regarded the presence of God as indispensable, God regarded and accepted him.

After Elisha the prophet was summoned, he questioned why king Jehoram of Israel would have bothered to call him.  But then Elisha revealed amazing truth about God in 2 Kings 3:14:  "And Elisha said, "As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, surely were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you, nor see you."  Elisha, who stood by grace before the all-knowing God who sees all, told the unbelieving and hypocrite Jehoram he would not look at him nor see him but came at the request of Jehoshaphat.   How wonderful God causes people to stand before Him and is moved by their requests, and how dreadful not to be regarded by Him!  Regardless of the things we say or claims we make, God knows if we really trust Him or not.

God is looking for people who remain loyal to Him, and King Asa suffered consequences for his shifting allegiances.  God regarded Asa enough to inform him of wrongdoing, but it would be far better to have God's favour and aid!  2 Chronicles 16:7-9 says, "And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: "Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the LORD your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. ⁸ Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand. ⁹ For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars."  God's eyes look throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him!  Those who regard the presence of God and rely upon Him will be greatly helped.

Defeat and death is default for fallen mankind, yet God is gracious to acknowledge and respond to deliver those who regard His presence, those who choose to rely upon Him.  Due to God's unchanging and good character it is a promise; because of our forgetful minds and fickle hearts it is a also a warning.  Benefactors of God's salvation and deliverance like Asa are not guaranteed to rely upon God without fail.  Men like Jehoshaphat who regarded the presence of God also can regard the presence of idolatrous kings.  But God remains gracious and good, answering the prayers of those who seek Him and correcting us when we have not asked so we might repent and be restored.  Those who regard God's presence He will look upon and cause to stand before Him by grace.

Quote from Reappearing Church

I have been reading Reappearing Church by Mark Sayers, pastor and cultural commentator.  I suppose only time will tell how accurate and prophetic they are, but as one who lives in a westernised culture much of his analysis rings true to my observations and experience.  The vast information available on the internet and availability of customising our information streams to our personal preferences is a massive shift from years past.  The abundance of spiritual menu choices (or pseudo-spiritual content) coupled with an Uber Eats approach means we only need to feed on what interests us--not what we may need to hear.  The awesome thing is God's Word and goodness towards us remains unchanged and deeply personal.  He has the dynamic ability to speak above the noise in His still, small voice.  Mark Sayers wrote this in Reappearing Church on the prevalence of consumerism in culture and how it can affect our approach to following Jesus and ministry:

Many of us may balk at forms of cultural Christianity that mix nationalism or ethnic identity and faith, yet we miss how we have been shaped by our own dominant culture, the culture of consumerism.  Consumer culture is placeless, yet pervasive.  It is the water in which we swim.  Consumer Christianity is a form of cultural Christianity that compromises the cross with self rather than flag, mixing the worship of God with the worship of options, personal autonomy, low commitment, and opinion over responsibility.

Consumer culture tells us we can do it all, yet we become paralysed by endless options.  FOMO, the fear of missing out, according to Author Patrick McGinnis, is now accompanied by FOBO, the fear of better options:  'I noticed that my classmates and I were always optimising.  We hedged, lived in a world of maybes and were paralysed at the prospect of actually committing to something, out of fear that we might be choosing something that wasn't the absolutely perfect option.'  McGinnis reports that the fear of better options leads ultimately to the fear of doing anything.  Unlimited options and the search for lifestyle perfection leaves us paralysed...

Consumer culture creates in us a mentality of toxic entitlement--the sense that we can have it all, but without struggle or cost.  This mentality of entitlement eventually will infect our faith...The Christian caught in consumer Christianity shifts blame for their lack of growth to God, their leaders, the church, their friends, spouse, or family, insulating themselves against renewal. We fool ourselves that someone else will solve the problem of our lack of discipleship.

The good news is that we are reaching the limits of a consumer culture without limits.  The possibility of living out of the passive posture of consumerism is passing as its negative effects are felt.  churches and faith built on consumerism don't last beyond a generation. (Sayers, Mark. Reappearing Church: the Hope for Renewal in the Rise of Our Post-Christian Culture. Moody Publishers, 2019.)

Even when we are paralysed by the abundance of options in our consumer culture, remember how men demonstrated their faith by bringing their paralysed friend to Jesus who healed Him.  No culture, society, scheme of Satan, or folly of man provides an obstacle God has not overcome.  Self-righteous Saul was breathing out threats and murder against Christ when he was floored by an unexpected, uninvited Saviour Jesus Christ who revealed Himself to Him.  Every believer once dead in trespasses and sin has been raised to new life by the power of Jesus Christ by grace through faith.  Warren Wiersbe wisely said, "Nothing paralyzes our lives like the attitude that things can never change. We need to remind ourselves that God can change things. Outlook determines outcome. If we see only the problems, we will be defeated; but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory."  God provides more than possibilities but great and precious promises!  In a Christian culture which attempts to isolate itself from God, it is comforting to know the battle is the LORD's who works miraculous wonders.

Jesus is the Worthy One

This past week I traveled to New Zealand with a fellow pastor who flies much more than me.  Because of the millions of miles he has logged he has earned status I have not:  free entrance to the Air New Zealand lounge and the ability to bring a guest.  On my own I would be denied access to the comfort of the lounge:  comfortable seats, free food and drink, well-maintained toilets, and internet access.  Bronze status certainly doesn't provide the benefits diamond or gold status does!

I admit that when I follow my friend into the lounge, there is a sneaking feeling of unworthiness because I haven't earned or paid for the right to enter on my own.  What I was struck with today is in a similar sense I will only be able to enter heaven one day because of what Jesus has done.  It is because He has paid for us and is good and gracious to invite us we can become children of God and gain access into the presence of God.  We are all unworthy, but it is our worthy LORD and Saviour who has made us accepted in the beloved.

Instead of feeling guilty we are in ourselves unworthy, how much better it is for us to express our thanks and gratefulness to God for all He has accomplished on our behalf.  It denies our God glory for us to be self-focused when Jesus denied Himself to save us by grace through faith.  We are easily self-conscious, but we ought to humble ourselves so Jesus Christ might be glorified.  We can even be bold in belonging because Jesus has purchased us with His own blood.  Embarrassment and shame evaporates in the presence of our almighty King and any who might criticise us because we don't measure up.