At the church’s Bible school last week, one of the regular parts of the general session was a time when we invited kids to share their ‘God-sightings.’ The goal was get them to be more aware of the Lord’s working and Presence in ordinary situations. We wanted them to understand that God does not live in the church building, but that He is with us everywhere and all of the time. You’re an adult and you ‘know’ that the church building is not actually “God’s house,” but are you looking for His Presence, attuned to the Spirit where you live and work?
In Romans 9, we read about the mystery of God’s will for His people. Paul wonders at the inclusion of Gentiles (non-Jews) in the family of God. Where once the children of Abraham (Jews) had enjoyed a unique and privileged status as ‘the people of the Lord,’ the new covenant of Jesus Christ brought the grace of God to all who respond to the Spirit’s invitation with faith. What becomes crystal clear in those words is that we cannot expect to earn a place of right standing with God because of our heritage, our goodness, or even our religiosity. "What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the “stumbling stone.”" (Romans 9:30-32, NIV)
It is possible that we can become so focused on ‘being good’ and living out some religious program that we miss out on God altogether! We can fall over ourselves, tripped up by good intentions. Last week I read of a once proud Christian college that was founded with the aim of producing men and women of holy character and faith who would do God’s work in the world with excellence. It has become a rigid, rules obsessed institution that is more intent on preserving a slice of culture than turning students to knowledge of the living God. Strict dress codes, obsessions with styles of clothing and skirt lengths, and elimination of all ‘worldly’ influence has taken the place of “God-sightings!” It is as if the Pharisees of old have returned to 21st century America! But, these people of such high aims are unable to see their folly, stumbling over their own religion, now blind to the Presence of the Living Christ.
It’s a sin as old as humanity. At the very beginning, after the Fall, the Scripture says that "instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols.” (Romans 1:23, NLT) Not all idols are made of stone or carved to look like demi-gods! We may turn from a life of faith to worship our own reputation, our strict self-discipline, the ‘ministry’ we do for our church, or even our study of the Bible.
Let’s re-read that passage I quoted a moment ago, this time from The Message. "How can we sum this up? All those people who didn’t seem interested in what God was doing actually embraced what God was doing as he straightened out their lives. And Israel, who seemed so interested in reading and talking about what God was doing, missed it. How could they miss it? Because instead of trusting God, they took over. They were absorbed in what they themselves were doing. They were so absorbed in their “God projects” that they didn’t notice God right in front of them, like a huge rock in the middle of the road. And so they stumbled into him and went sprawling." (Romans 9:30-32, The Message)
Disciple, don’t fall over yourself! Stay aware of the Spirit, in step with Him, led by Him, filled with gentle faithful grace.
_____________________
Breathe on me, breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love
What Thou dost love,
And do what Thou wouldst do.
Breathe on me, breath of God,
Until my heart is pure.
Until with Thee I will one will,
To do and to endure.
Breathe on me, breath of God,
Till I am wholly Thine.
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire divine.
Breathe On Me Breath Of God
Hatch, Edwin / Jackson, Robert
© Public Domain
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