OWNING UP TO DISOBEDIENCE
For God has consigned all men to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all. Rom. 11:32, R.S.V.
Why is God interested in pointing out the universal disobedience of the human race? What reason does He have for wanting to make sure that everyone owns up to being disobedient? Is this so that no one will try to sneak away from the smarting pain of His rebuke?
Paul seems to have another purpose in mind in today's text. He recognizes a principle in God's dealings with us sinners: Those who admit their disobedience receive mercy; those who do not admit it receive no mercy. The problem with those who do not receive mercy is not that God has held it back, but that they didn't recognize that they needed it. Those who do not know they have a disease will not reach out to the Physician.
As priceless as the gift of mercy is to all who know they need it, most of those to whom God has made this offer are still suffering outside its gracious benefit. It seems stupid to reject healing when the disease is fatal without treatment. But that reveals the lengths to which all of us go to protect our image. We would rather die championing our innocence than to risk facing seemingly certain embarrassment and rejection should we show up at the clinic door and whisper our disease.
When we know in advance, however, that our admission will be met with mercy it does make the admission easier. When we learn that the Physician knows how to keep confidences and that His cures are effective, we are more likely to risk owning up to our great need.
John said of our Father that if we confess our sin, He can be counted on to forgive and to cleanse. To confess, in this context, means to agree with God's opinion of us--to say, "Yes, You are right in Your appraisal; I am a sinner, very much in need of help." The interesting point, of course, is that God already knows full well what our condition is; we don't confess for His sake, but for ours.
It is true: the goodness of God leads to repentance. It can also be said that this same goodness so surrounds us with security that we are able to admit our need to repent. The personal question for us is How can we stay away from such a warmly drawing Friend?
For God has consigned all men to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all. Rom. 11:32, R.S.V.
Why is God interested in pointing out the universal disobedience of the human race? What reason does He have for wanting to make sure that everyone owns up to being disobedient? Is this so that no one will try to sneak away from the smarting pain of His rebuke?
Paul seems to have another purpose in mind in today's text. He recognizes a principle in God's dealings with us sinners: Those who admit their disobedience receive mercy; those who do not admit it receive no mercy. The problem with those who do not receive mercy is not that God has held it back, but that they didn't recognize that they needed it. Those who do not know they have a disease will not reach out to the Physician.
As priceless as the gift of mercy is to all who know they need it, most of those to whom God has made this offer are still suffering outside its gracious benefit. It seems stupid to reject healing when the disease is fatal without treatment. But that reveals the lengths to which all of us go to protect our image. We would rather die championing our innocence than to risk facing seemingly certain embarrassment and rejection should we show up at the clinic door and whisper our disease.
When we know in advance, however, that our admission will be met with mercy it does make the admission easier. When we learn that the Physician knows how to keep confidences and that His cures are effective, we are more likely to risk owning up to our great need.
John said of our Father that if we confess our sin, He can be counted on to forgive and to cleanse. To confess, in this context, means to agree with God's opinion of us--to say, "Yes, You are right in Your appraisal; I am a sinner, very much in need of help." The interesting point, of course, is that God already knows full well what our condition is; we don't confess for His sake, but for ours.
It is true: the goodness of God leads to repentance. It can also be said that this same goodness so surrounds us with security that we are able to admit our need to repent. The personal question for us is How can we stay away from such a warmly drawing Friend?
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