ODJ: criminally cute
January 25, 2011
Just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead (v.21).
READ: Romans 5:12-21
Giddy with delight, my young son Elias slipped out of the room that served as a temporary nursery to newborn kittens. His mother had warned him not to touch them, so she asked, “Did you touch the kitties, Elias?” “No!” he said earnestly. Mom wasn’t fooled, so she probed a bit further. “Were they soft?” “Yes,” he volunteered, “and the black one mewed.” In a toddler, such duplicity is cute. But Elias’ disobedience underscores our human condition. No one had to teach the 4-year-old fabricator to fib. He lied because such self-centered behavior is as natural to us as breathing. “I was born a sinner,” wrote the songwriter David in his classic confession. “Yes, from the moment my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:5). The New Testament adds this: “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone” (Romans 5:12). That depressing news applies equally to kings, 4-year-olds, and you and me. Scripture passages that point out our hell-bent tendencies could leave us feeling hopelessly guilt-ridden. But, by God’s grace, there’s hope! “God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were,” wrote Paul. “But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant” (Romans 5:20). We sometimes have a vague view of God behaving as a divine policeman, waiting for us to blow it so He can cuff us and curtail our freedom. But the one who accuses us is not God. Rather, it’s our archenemy the devil (see Revelation 12:7-10). Our heavenly Father is all about grace, forgiveness, and restoration. We have only to come to Him in faith and repentance. The happy conclusion is this: “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). —Tim Gustafson
Do you see God as eager to forgive or quick to judge? What does the Bible say about His character?
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