There was an article written some years ago, and the first line stated, “Just suppose that the Lord should begin next Sunday to make the people as sick as they say they are on Sunday and Wednesday.” The focus of this article will have a slightly different slant.
Let’s just suppose that God began today to keep a record of our sins in thought, word and deed. It would not matter to Him how many times we genuinely asked His forgiveness. What a horrifying position to become aware of—our sins mounting by the second—and held against us for life! Unlimited forgiveness is available to the penitent through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Without Him, our sin debt exceeds all of our power, desire or ability to rescind. However, our forgiveness is predicated on our willingness to continually forgive those that sin against us. Jesus taught His disciples to pray as He responded to their request in Luke 11:1-13. Praying for forgiveness and extending it to others was part of that teaching. Verse 4 says, “And forgives us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.”
Let’s just suppose that God began today to treat us the way we sometimes treat others. Could we, would we take that kind of treatment from anybody? Would we be planning our retaliation? The world’s attitude is one of getting even, looking out for number one and stepping on others to get what you want. The way of the Lord is diametrically opposed to such foul thinking. Jesus said, “Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise” (Luke 6:30-31). As one good preacher said, “God’s commands are not in the Bible just to make it thick.”
Let’s just suppose that God began today to strike every person dead who used His name in vain. As Jesus began to teach His disciples to pray, He said in Luke 11:2a, “When you pray, say: ‘Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.” Hallowed means we are to give the highest reverence and respect to God’s spoken name. It forbids our using His name in an irreverent way. Whenever we use God’s name, we had better be genuinely referring to Him, not merely expressing our frustration or anger! If this is not our intent, we need to understand that we will not be held guiltless. God speaking in Exodus 20:7 said, “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.”
Let’s just suppose that God began today to rid the world of all those who are greedy for money. In a TV show from the 1970’s, a father made this statement to his son who had become a victim of greed. “Greed victimizes all who fall into its trap! That has been the secret of our success. We have made greed our ally. It’s a two-edged sword; live by the greed of others or die by your own!” Paul told Timothy, his son in the faith, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:9-10 emphasis added). It is truly a weeping pity that this biblical admonition is daily unheeded virtually all over the world!
Let’s just suppose that God began today to kill all children who were disobedient and disrespectful to their parents/guardians. In the United States alone, what would be the drop in population numbers in just one day? Under the Law of Moses, a stubborn and rebellious son was stoned to death! Deuteronomy 21:18-21 says, “If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and who when they have chastened him, will not heed them, then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city, to the gate of his city. And they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’ Then all the men of his city shall stone him to death with stones, so you shall put away the evil from among you, and all Israel shall hear and fear (emphasis added).”
We now live in a society where children tell their parents how things are going to be done. Children tell their parents what they will and will not do! The Bible still reads, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:1-2).
Space will not permit elaboration on the numerous lifestyles and behaviors of the masses. The following list makes the point to some degree. Let’s just suppose that God began today to rebuke and correct:
- Sexually immoral folks who staunchly insincerely vow fidelity to the marriage union.
- Covetous folks who would never admit the attitude and certainly not the practice.
- Idolaters who quickly claim there are no images in their homes.
- Revilers who berate others and insist on having the last word.
- Drunkards/drug users who say they can quit anytime they get ready.
- Extortionists who say, “It’s just business.”
- Murderers who falsely claim self-defense or justifiable homicide.
- Fortune tellers who claim they have a special gift.
- Liars who see no harm in the practice because they think that the end justifies the means.
Let’s just suppose that we all could honestly admit that God’s love and God’s wrath are in perfect balance.
