For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
I Peter 4:17-19 NKJV
Has someone or something convinced you that you will escape judgement – that you will never see the consequences of your wicked decisions and actions?
Many inmates in jails and prisons today thought that they could do as they please and “get away with it”. Many people burdened with deeply rooted problems within their marriages and relationships thought that they could “get away with it”. Many people suffering in the clutches of addiction thought they could “get away with it”.
The short sighted perspective of “I’ll get away with it” leads many into destruction – and I’m not just talking about a “some day at judgement” kind of destruction, but a destruction in the here and now of the life of abundance and joy and blessing that we could be.
I promise you that if you take the attitude of “I can get away with it” – if you take the attitude of “His grace is sufficient” to justify something that you are deciding to remain involved in that you know is wrong – you do have much to fear.
So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
Genesis 4:6-7 NKJV
I know the attitude of being “entitled to salvation” because someone sold me on the idea that a one time sinner’s prayer was enough to make my sinful life “invisible to God”. It’s sad to me that so many are veiled by this evil lie. It’s sad to me that so many are seeking a covering to protect them from the consequences of their continued lives of open rebellion against God’s way – instead of seeking an annointing of His presence in their lives to deliver them into a new kind of living.
Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
John 8:34-36 NKJV
It isn’t sad because I’m standing on high looking down on them for being so foolish. It is sad because I have been there myself and when I was, I was missing out on the amazing life that the Lord had in store for me. And when I let myself slip back into that mindset, even if only for a short while, it seems to result in missed opportunities or unwanted consequences.
But isn’t that what an “entitled” mindset produces? When it is all about “what I deserve” or “what I can get away with” or “what X owes me” – doesn’t that just wreak of pride, selfishness, of a carnal mind? Isn’t this the mark of Cain, the mark of the fallen, blind, lost man, who doesn’t know God or His ways at all?
And isn’t this clear from his perspective when we talk about sin and righteousness and judgement? Doesn’t his countenance fall, and doesn’t he become angry because he knows that he is not accepted? Doesn’t he start to argue that the law is not fair or just – that it must be changed, updated, to more closely reflect what is acceptable to man – instead of man seeking to be changed, renewed, redeemed into what is acceptable to God.
Judgement is coming. Church, you will be first.
But the grateful man, the penitent man, the broken hearted and humble man accepts that He has nothing of true value to offer a Lord. He acknowledges that God’s way is right and just, and that He will follow in faith.
When you read the instruction and guidance of the Bible – do you seek ways to excuse your life still not lining up? Are do you want to see correction, change, and growth where His way is your way?
Do you believe a great price was paid for you at Calvary? Does that produce grattitude in your heart? Or have you grown cools and had your heart grown hard? Do you know the warm touch of the Saviors hand upon your head as you kneel humbly at His feet? Or do you long for a touch, a word, a breath of new life into your weary soul?
Harold J. Ballinger 