God's Impartiality

And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law?  For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.  But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

Romans 2:27-29

The author of Romans is singling out the Jewish people, possibly the Roman Jews at that time.  They were going back to old teachings where they were placing the yoke back on Jewish Christians... or the Gentiles.  They promoted themselves to be higher and more righteous but God doesn't see it that way.  He is impartial because whether Jew or Gentile, God's grace covers all.

This is an important reminder to all of us because we tend to forget that God loves each one of us the same... all the same!  If we take it to the extremes don't we justify a Christian missionary and condemn a serial killer?  Don't we judge each and every person in some way or form?  I'm not saying I'm condoning it... but in some way we do.  God wants us to know through and through that His love is impartial and we need to follow that example if we're going to make a difference in this spinning globe.

Father God, help me set my heart straight.  Help Your chosen vessel to love more and judge less (eventually never).  Focus my eyes so I see no comparisons in Your kingdom.  I want just You.  Amen.

Letting Up Never Giving Up

Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.  For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Romans 1:24-25

We can't do everything to bring people into the light.  Sometimes we just have to cut the cords that bind us and allow them to make their own mistakes.  This doesn't mean that we don't love them, it means that our definition of love can hinder what God's going to do through hardships.  

It's like an overprotective parent who never allows the child to go through any adversity themselves... they never grow and live a sheltered life.  God doesn't want us to live this way.  He wants us to go out there and take our beatings keeping eternity our goal.

This is like the Experiencing God Day by Day readings from May 12th.  We cannot sugarcoat our faith and try to comfort Christians when the Holy Spirit chose to make them uncomfortable.  This is counterproductive to what God is doing and we cannot get in the way.

Father God, thank You for never giving up on me.  You've given me so many chances to right my wrongs, yet I still fail You time and again.  But I choose to keep marching on, pressing towards the goal.  Lord, I pray You fill my heart to love You more than I understand.  In the most holy of holy names I pray, amen.

Cheaters Unwelcome

My eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me;

        He who walks in a blameless way is the one who will minister to me. 

    He who practices deceit shall not dwell within my house;

        He who speaks falsehood shall not maintain his position before me. 

Pslam 101:6-7

This passage by David talks about how God won't associate Himself to those who are deceitful, arrogant or worthless.  I don't think God doesn't want to love them, He just can't.  God cannot be mixed with evil; light cannot exist with darkness.  David poetically makes this statement here that God cannot be with those who reject Him.  

When I read this I think of a few men I know.  I knew one of the men to be an adulter, one who is making unwise decisions to draw close to adultery, and the one I just found out about last night has been involved in adultery for a number of years with many partners.  I get sick to my stomach having been a victim in 2 different ways myself but I'm also a man so I know the temptations out there.  This is a poison I refuse to drink no matter how beautiful the bottle looks... poison is poison and it will destroy my entire life, guaranteed.  So why do it?

This brings me to think, why do men cheat?  Why do men go down this path where God has not blessed like in this psalm?  I can't speak for women but I can for men, in some general cases.  Basically, it's because there's a need to satisfy an urge; most likely a void in a marriage.  It's that 80/20 rule... for all intents and purposes our spouses are 80% of what we feel like we need and go elsewhere for the remaining 20%.  We exchange someone who is almost perfect for trash.  Men need to be filled from God.  Yes, this sounds cliche-ish but it's so true.  Where does a man's joy come?  Love from the Lord and respect from our wives.  But women will only respect you when we're living with integrity before the Lord.  This may not cover all circumstances because women need to look themselves in the mirror too but we have no control over that... we rely on God's grace to carry us through every situation.

Father God, I pray for the 3 people I spoke about plus the many others going through the same thing.  I pray for the women and children and all the people affected by deceitful hearts.  Lord I pray You make Your presence known which leads to such a heavy conviction transformation occurs.  We want to be under Your covering, show us the way... again and again.  In the most precious of names I pray, Lord Jesus, amen.