Reluctant Retiree

An angry customer vents displeasure on service personnel. A car cuts dangerously in front of another car after the other car had done the same to them. An frustrated housewife fires off a complaint letter to a CEO because a household repair didn’t meet her expectations. A teenager enters a school armed to kill as a result of feeling shamed by fellow students and faculty. It seems the whole world is in a state of acting out vengeance for the wrongs they have suffered.

God has called us to a higher standard. Leviticus 19:18 says, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” Vengeance is the Lord’s. He is the righteous judge and knows the thoughts and intentions of the heart. We can trust Him to take the appropriate action against evil and those who harm us. Instead, we are called to love others in the same love we have for ourselves.

What a wonderful world it would be if we all obeyed the command of Leviticus 19:18! Think about it! We would have no more wars. Neighbor would get along with neighbor. Frustration would melt away. Anger would fade away. Love would cover a multitude of sins. This world is coming to all who believe in Jesus when we arrive in Heaven.

An artist can look at an object and reproduce the object’s likeness to canvas, marble, or clay. However the object is not changed. God does things much better. When we focus our attention on Him, He transforms us into His glorious image. We become like Him.

II Corinthians 3:11 says, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” Beholding God transforms us into a more glorious image, that of our Heavenly Father. I don’t know about you, but I am not satisfied with who I am. I want a glorious image, that of Almighty God. So I will seek to continually focus my attention on Him.

Our God is a good God. Here are some verses about God’s goodness:

Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”

Psalm 86:5 “For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.”

Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus.”

I Timothy 4:4 “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.”

I Peter 2:3 “if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

Zechariah 9:17 “For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty!”

Titus 3:4 “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy.”

Please accept the goodness and mercy of our loving God. He has so much goodness stored up for you.

A few days ago a strong thunderstorm passed through our area overnight. In the morning, the destruction caused by the storm was evident to all. Branches were ripped from the trees and debris was spread everywhere. This morning I saw a tree that was at least 100 feet tall and had a diameter of at least 4 feet that was uprooted by the storm and laying across someone’s yard. Thankfully, I have not heard of any injuries caused by the thunderstorm.

We saw several other uprooted trees as we drove through town. They all had one thing in common, a shallow root system. People can be like these trees by not developing strong character through wisdom and faith. Jude 8 describes this type of person when it says, “Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.”

We cannot build faith and understand wisdom by relying only on our own limited understanding. The wisdom of God is much deeper and has the power to build us up into the people God designed us to be. Our limited understanding leaves us defenseless against the storms of life and does nothing to build our character so that we please God.

A few verses later, Jude 12 gives us the results of trusting in our own understanding, “These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves, waterless clouds, swept along by winds, fruitless trees in late autumn, uprooted.” Trusting in our own understanding gives meaningless lives built upon the fads of culture. This type of life is without substance and is not beneficial to anyone. In the end this person is completely uprooted and tossed by the winds of society.

Participate wholeheartedly in the things that build faith and character from God’s perspective. Cast out the things that tear down faith and godly character.

I believe that our concept of justice has been tainted by the courtroom television shows. They employ celebrity judges to give justice in 30 minute episodes, based upon the shady testimonies of the plaintiff and defendant. The litigants do not hire professional attorneys, nor provide solid evidence, but are more motivated by appearing on television than in justice. Evidence is sketchy and judgment is quick.

Unfortunately, the off camera real world seems to operate in the same manner. Every day we read or hear about some judicial decision that we strongly disagree with and wonder how justice is served. Even in the higher courts decisions appear to be made based upon some personal or political bias.

Some day we will all stand before God to be judged for all we have done. Those of us who have trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation will be represented by Jesus Himself. He will advocate for us and we will not be condemned because His blood and death on the cross redeemed us. However, those who haven’t trusted in Jesus for salvation will be condemned for their sins of unbelief and rebellion against God. God is perfectly just and because He is also holy, He will direct His wrath against the unrepentant. II Chronicles 19:7 says, “Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.”

The time is short. Decide today to trust Jesus with your life and for your salvation. He is trustworthy. Judgment is real and God is just.