A perfect storm of imperfections

Every day we're reading or listening to part of the Bible together and sharing thoughts with you. Today it’s Bern Leckie:

What did I like about today’s passage?

If you’re finding this heavy going, I have to admit, I’m with you. I’m struggling to find things to like in the blizzards of bad, the hurricanes of hurt and the relentless showers of sh(- that’s enough – Ed.)

It’s not like there is just one thing wrong here. People were saying they were close to God, but their worship was not acceptable. God saw that when belief was put into practice, it still resulted in injustice, violence, adultery, the oppression of foreigners, widows and orphans, etc, etc, etc. Foreign gods were a problem too, but were they a root cause or a symptom?

I like the clarity God brings that any religion is worthless without obedience to God and responsiveness to correction which would bring about goodness in life, guided by God as only he can, rather than the natural results of everyone pursuing “their own course.” Unfortunately, this means that corruption in passing on and interpreting God’s will faithfully can have catastrophic results.

Something I find most uncomfortable is that this suggests there isn't a passive, harmless middle ground between devotion to God and rebellion against God. I think most of my friends would consider this too harsh, but from God's point of view, the people who do not acknowledge God "go from one sin to another... every one of them is a deceiver.” Really? What does that mean in terms of God’s judgement, then? From this, it sounds terrifying.

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

God has higher expectations for us than we can meet in our own strength, even with religion, law, traditions and teachings to guide us. We can only find goodness in him. Thankfully, he makes himself accessible. We have to sneak a peek ahead to find out how, but there is good news coming, fulfilled in Jesus.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

Remember and be more thankful for God’s grace revealed in Jesus, his life and obedience to self-sacrifice showing how faithfulness to God is possible, and his resurrection showing how God’s power overcomes everything standing between us and the life God wants for us, including our worst fears about the worst that could happen if we lost the lives we have.

I am starting to feel uncomfortably like I’ve been too comfy with my friends not knowing Jesus. I don’t feel called to be a Jeremiah to them, but I need to know how God does want to use me to do what only he can do in terms of showing the way to a different life.

Who am I going to share this with?

People I follow Jesus with, including my family and the group we chat and pray with online.