Are you running from God? I have.
Do you run after Satan? I have.
Do you walk with Jesus and then run away some other direction?
I have. Even the most faithful followers of God and closest Disciples of Jesus have turned tail and run from the adversity we imagined is on the road ahead.
The seeker-friendly easy-grace gospel would easily fill our mega-churches will non-believers, like the brother in Jesus’ parable who said he would do the will of his father, but then did not do it, as opposed to the brother (or sister, if you are) who says, “NO. I can NOT do that,” yet later repents to do the will of the Father.
[If you are unfamiliar with this parable Jesus taught in Jerusalem during the events of Holy Week, read Matthew 21.]
No doubt in this Lenten season of preparation of consideration of the Cross, you will remember later incidents during Holy Week of twelve apostles who ran and hid: an apostle and friend entrusted with the treasury of the whole group showing ‘faithfulness’ by complaint of the wasting of the oil of love and anointing poured forth generously on our Lord by a repentant woman. We all remember a bold proclamation that, “I will never deny you,” from a rock of leadership; the ironic tragedy of all of Jesus’ friends sleeping in Gethsemane and running away in helplessness from the authorities of the Law.
We are too harsh on Peter and the others, as if we ourselves do not tend to run away every Monday (or even Sunday the minute the sermon finally finishes).
God has always used reluctant, yet zealous believers. Take Saul of Tarsus (Paul), for instance.
And who cannot recall a voyage of God’s Prophet, running in the direction away from Nineveh (in modern day Iraq) to a ship crossing the Mediterranean, before falling into the depths of helplessness in the belly of a fish at the bottom of the sea?
Most of God’s Prophets suffered as God warned Israel and Judah of the destruction to come because of the evil done by the people with God’s Name.
Is it appropriate witness of GOD for the people of His Name to always do evil?
Is it right for a witness claiming the Name of Christ (a christian) to show unbelievers evil? Are we not commanded to bear fruit of Christ’s overflowing love, His unfailing faithfulness to the redeemed?
“I will repay,” says the LORD.
Therefore, do not fear. For what can a mere man (even an evil woman) bring upon you that does not pale by comparison to the wrath of the vengeance of the Living God?
What terrible judgment must await the one who has dismissed the Blood of the Cross and run toward the pit of perdition.
To be continued…
