God shows no partiality!

(Romans 2:11) “For God shows no partiality.”

When we look at others we will somehow formulate an opinion on them, whether they are good or evil, in our summation we either accuse or excuse! Yet when we reason like this we reason as mere men, we forget that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That there is none righteous, no not one! This type of reasoning is often to our own detriment. Why? We are quick to look at others and compare them against ourselves looking to excuse our sin as “not so bad”. It is just one of the millions of decoys that are out there to get us to forget Calvary and what it meant for Christ to die for us! Once we put on our spiritual thinking caps, it is plain to see that anything outside of what Christ achieved on Calvary is futile no matter how brilliant it may seem. Sell all you have and give it to the poor, but deny the work of the cross and your will still face the wrath of God… your destiny HELL!

Do you remember the ruler that came to Christ? He was a good man as far as men reckoned; concerning their customs and abiding in the law he seemed outwardly blameless. People must have look at him with admiration; he was definitely amongst the excused! Until he came face to face with our great Saviour, the Lord Jesus! This is how the story unfolded… “And a ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'" And he said, "All these I have kept from my youth." When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." (Luke 18:18-22) - Note: - He was a law abiding citizen, and he was aware of “right and wrong” as he claims to have kept the law. What was his fault then? He was not willing to sell all, in other words loose his life for Christ, wealth was far more important to him as he was not willing to follow the Lord. What then can we learn from this parable? Let us not look around at others but lets us search out our own hearts, is there anything in our lives that is more important to us then following the Lord. Whatever we find we must live a life of repentance "around it" always praying that we may find deliverance from its deadly yoke. We must never accept it as the norm; if we do it will be to our detriment. The purpose of this life is to learn this lesson; we must leave all behind if we are to be useful to our Master. Am I for one minute implying that I have arrived? Absolutely not! Far from it, but it must be a resolution in our heart that God would strip us of every self want that opposes His will for our lives. The enemy will look to keep us busy with self, taking our eyes off the cross and its purpose. And yes the devil does play his part, but let us not be fooled as we remember what the Apostle James teaches; “Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.” (James 1:13-16) – Note; He is addressing believers. 

The only way we can ever achieve acceptance before a righteous and holy God is in and through His Son, our beloved redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ! As soon as we take our eyes off Him we are in danger of judgment. May we always remember to consider what it cost our master as he laid down His life for us and others, may we too remember to lay down our lives for Him. What a daunting thought! Nevertheless when we learn to live by this rule, the law of grace, we will understand what is meant by this statement; “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:30)

Father God help us we pray to lay down our lives so that your name would be glorified on earth as it is in heaven. I am aware of the areas in my life that keep me from glorifying your name and I ask for forgiveness. Help us all to become more like our great Saviour, even Jesus Christ our Lord.

As the rain belts down this morning do not be surprised if you see a rainbow the other side of the storm as the day soon approaches when the Lord will return to fetch His people. May we always remember to pray and not to faint!

Signing off

Tyrone