God’s Law and Speeding Tickets

“For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.” - James 2:10 

I was in college and running late, so I hopped into my bright red sporty-looking car and started buzzing down the road. Instantly, I was made even later when a police officer decided to stop me for speeding. Now I really needed to make up for time, so I buzzed down the road even more. However, unbelievably, another officer stopped me. That was a very expensive 20-minute drive. (Image from traffictickets.com)

Looking back, the officers had every right to pull me over because I was exceeding the speed limit. In straightforward terms, I was breaking the law.

Speed limits are one among thousands of different laws in our nation to help govern our citizens and keep order. The English word for law, refers to a system of rules that have been laid down, or set in place, for people to abide by. Those laws then become the moral standard for what is right or wrong in a country.

The Lord God, who created the heavens and the earth, is King over the universe. He governs it by a system of His own laws. They are divine and holy, which the entire human race is subject to. They cover two categories: how we relate to God and each other. All of His laws are summed up in the Great Commandment, which Jesus stated, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 37-40)

What does God’s law deal with? 1. Adultery. Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28) 2. Divorce. Jesus taught, “…I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery…” 3. Loving our enemies. Jesus spoke, “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6:27-28) These are just three out of hundreds of God’s moral laws.

Are they only for Sunday morning churchgoers? No. The entire human race is subject to these laws including atheists, Muslims, Jews, Republicans, Democrats, liberals, conservatives and everyone else. What does God expect from people? “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) God’s standard is perfect obedience and perfect love with all He has commanded. Why? Because God is holy, and the law He has laid down is a reflection of Him.

What happens when we mess up? “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.” (James 2:10) In an extreme case, if a person was able to perfectly obey God’s law, except for just one area, that would still not be good enough. God does not judge based on a scale. He judges based upon perfect obedience. And when we fall short, we become legally guilty before God, then are convicted and sentenced under His judgement to eternal death. It is extremely serious and incredibly severe.

Is there any hope? Yes! Jesus came from heaven to earth for this very reason. He knew we were not good enough on our own, but He knew He was. Therefore, being an innocent man, He died on a cross and rose again to take our conviction and sentence upon Himself. Then through His resurrection, He provided a remedy for you to be completely forgiven, and through that forgiveness, all things can be made new for you.

Though you have failed before God, there is a certain and everlasting hope waiting for you. Receive it today!

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray you will help us to recognize how we have failed. We have all broken your laws and are deserving of your judgment. Through Jesus, forgive us, O God. Remove our guilt, we pray. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Strength of a Decorated Soldier

Major Audie Murphy earned 33 awards, citations and decorations, including all possible medals of valor from the U.S., as well as three French and one Belgian medal. - U.S. Department of War

Medal of Honor recipient, Army Major Audie Murphy, is the U.S military’s most decorated soldier in history. He spent about 400 days on the front lines in WWII. During his more than three years of combat, he was wounded three times, fought in nine major campaigns and was credited with killing more than 240 enemy soldiers while wounding and capturing many others. All this despite being only 5 feet, 5 inches tall and 110 pounds. (Image from togetherweservedblog) 

The U.S. Department of War states, “Murphy earned 33 awards, citations and decorations, including all possible medals of valor from the U.S., as well as three French and one Belgian medal.”

In ancient days there was another highly decorated soldier. His name was David. He rose to become the greatest solider in Israel’s history. As a teenager, in one-on-one combat, he singlehandedly killed Goliath, the fiercest enemy solider Israel ever faced. From there he successfully served in multiple battles, eventually rising to become King of Israel and its most accomplish military general.

During his career as a warrior, David killed thousands of enemy soldiers and expanded Israel’s territory like never before. The Bible says of him, “And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went. [He] reigned over all Israel [and] administered justice and equity to all his people.” (2 Samuel 8:14-15) As King, he once wrote, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. O Lord, save the king!” (Psalm 20:7-9) Echoing the same ideas, he repeated, “The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue…Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.” (Ps. 33:16-17,20)

As a King, David was not foolish, but well prepared for any attack. He had an army ready to fight and all the weapons of his day at his disposal. But where did he place his trust? For the defense of his nation and victory in the bloody battles of war, he trusted in the Lord God. The one who is King of all kings, Lord of lords and Creator of heaven and earth.

David understood the nature of mankind and the world he lived in. He knew there was an unseen evil and lawless spirit that raised up ruthless men to kill and destroy. Would mortal men alone with man-made weapons achieve victory against such a diabolical enemy? David employed the only one who had power over evil. The Lord God Almighty. A wicked tyrant can defeat men but cannot defeat God. This is seen in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was put on the cross by cunning and crafty lawless men. Yet three days later he defeated their schemes by rising from the dead.

The leader of a nation. The leader of an army. A soldier. A citizen. They are all fools who do not trust in God’s only Son to thwart the attacks of evil forces.

How can people receive this divine protection? Simple. Humble themselves before the Lord God and call upon the Lord for mercy with a desperate heart. God always responds when precious souls finally realize they cannot save themselves, but only God can. Yet, because of our stubbornness, we often find ourselves at the brink of utter defeat before we realize that truth.

Are you fighting in our own strength? Are you near to defeat? Then are you ready to humble yourself and call upon the only one who can save you to the uttermost?

A prayer for you - Lord God, you see the nations and souls of all people. Bring Presidents, Prime Ministers and Kings to call upon you. Bring military generals and soldiers to fall on their face before you. Bring dads, moms, grandpas and grandmas to be desperate for you. Bring them to stop fighting in their own strength and trying to save themselves. Lead them to call out to you to save their souls, their families and their nation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Is The Judgment and Wrath of God Real?

What is God to do when like a parent, He lovingly lays down rules for the good of His children, but they blatantly defy Him with high handed rebellion? - Clint Decker

A survey from a few years ago found that “nearly eight-in-ten U.S. adults think God or a higher power has protected them, and two-thirds say they have been rewarded by the Almighty. By comparison, somewhat fewer see God as judgmental and punitive. Six-in-ten Americans say God or a higher power will judge all people on what they have done, and four-in-ten say they have been punished by God…” (Image from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary)

When it comes to our natural instincts, if we are given a choice, we would rather receive messages about how God is pleased with us and loves us, rather than how He will judge us. Am I correct? Despite our personal feelings though, is the judgment and wrath of God real?

Jesus once said, “…whoever does not obey the Son [Jesus] shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36). Wrath of God? The phrase is uncomfortable. Jesus is the most compassionate, kind and loving person the world has ever known.

Sometimes we might think the idea of God’s wrath, judgment or anger was just an Old Testament thing, and that when Jesus came in the New Testament, it all ended. Not true. There are hundreds of verses throughout the entire Bible that speak about the judgment of God.

What is the wrath of God? Theological scholar, Dr. Leon Morris, wrote that it is the “active opposition of God’s holy nature to everything that is evil.” Evil is anything that goes against the ways of God. He helps us understand by providing a comprehensive list of evil things sinful hearts do, saying they are “…filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.” (Romans 1:29-31)

How does God respond to this evil in our hearts? By being both merciful and just. When we persist in going our own way, in a display of divine grace, God patiently and mercifully speaks the truth to warn us. He does it through His Spirit and human messengers. God cautions us about what will happen if we refuse, just like He did in the beginning with Adam and Eve, history’s first man and woman. God said to Adam, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17)

What is God to do when like a parent, He lovingly lays down rules for the good of His children, but they blatantly defy Him with high handed rebellion? God will respond with equitable justice. He will act impartially, and come against every thought, word or deed that violates His glory, honor and holiness. The Scripture says, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

Is there a purpose for divine judgment or is God just an angry God? When we experience the internal conviction of things we have done wrong, the negative consequences of our own actions or some form of divine discipline, it is all meant to help us. God’s judgment is a supernatural-sent spiritual alarm, to wake us up to the condition of our life and where it is headed, unless we change course.

The Scripture says that God, “…is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) Right now, Jesus is waiting for you with arms stretched open wide. Stop. Sin no more, and receive His forgiveness. Trust in Jesus and be gloriously saved forever this very hour.

A prayer for you - Lord God, I praise you for your mercy and justice. You are a God without partiality and a wise judge. Let us walk in reverent fear before you because of your mighty power. Help us to turn from our ways and find salvation for our soul in Jesus alone. In His name. Amen.