BREAKING THE LAW

Micah 6:8
Matthew 23:23
Romans 12:1-2

For a Judge, God sure had an interesting way of handling rules.

God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac.

God told Joseph to marry a pregnant woman.

Jesus told the Pharisees that He would tear down the temple.

Following His great resurrection, He told the disciples — most simply — to wait.

Jesus refused to judge the woman caught in adultery.

He hung out with tax collectors, sinners, prostitutes and the like.

He told them to pay their taxes to Caesar, of all people.

God has a history of challenging the religious convictions of the times. He crushes moral codes, along with the self-piety that deeply ingrains itself in their followers. We expect Him to bring peace and propriety, still waters and green pastures. But more often than not, He brings crisis.  

At almost every turn, God says, “You think you know it all, but you have forgotten the most important things: kindness, justice and righteousness — and these are the things that are dear to Me.”

How could God ask His anointed one, Abraham, to murder?

How could He ask His servant Joseph to marry a woman who was already with child?

God is God. And we should never forget it. He is constantly elevating His people above their own powers, preoccupations, self-imposed limitations, and yes, their moral codes.

This is the difference between filthy rags and eternal riches. His will or ours? His unlimited powers or our meager ones? His values, codes and plans or our rigid and inflexible ones?

The question falls upon each one of us–Who is Lord of our lives? And if our answer is God, are we willing to trust Him, His plans, His preoccupations and His love? The answer is yes, by His grace.

What human codes of conduct am I hanging on to that God is less concerned with?
What beliefs are holding me back from trusting His plans fully?
Do I believe walking humbly, doing justice, and loving mercy are all it takes to live a fulfilled life?

Brad

© Revolworks 2018