What follows does not apply
to everyone of course, but let us take the opportunity to
examine ourselves to
see if it applies to us.
Let’s start with children, and
realizing that many children don’t have the luxury of living in a ‘normal’
family household.
Materially, the parents
provide clothing, schooling, transportation, meals, medical needs, a place to
sleep, a clean house, laundry services, and much more. They also provide the
most important things of all; love, loving discipline and security.
The expected response the
parents would appreciate is gratitude; shown by love, obedience and respect.
(Notice I said “expected response” for those of you who are not parents.) This
does happen, but … as the child grows something happens in many households …
rebellion. It has also been called “growing pains.” They begin biting the hand
that feeds them. Now this attitude can be anything from mild to very severe,
but it does happen.
The parents ask, “Why don’t
they appreciate what we do for them?” The answer I suppose is that they don’t
see it. They have become so accustomed to everything being furnished for them,
it is expected.
In marriages, adults can be
the same way. After a while what is provided by one spouse can be taken for
granted by the other.
It would make a healthier
marriage if both husband and wife would occasionally really consider all the
little things their spouse provides for them. However, how often do we not see the
blessings because we have grown accustomed to them?
Now let us consider the
following passage.
“For ever since the world was
created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they
can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So
they have no excuse for not knowing God.” (Romans 1:20 NLT)
Children spend many years in
the household of their parents and become very familiar with all that is
provided, even to the point of having eyes but not seeing.
The same is true with adults.
As has already been mentioned, how often we get so used to our relationship; we
fail to see the blessings provided by the one who loves us.
Is it possible we may be
guilty of taking all the blessings that God has provided us for granted?
Concerning our own body God
provides us; eyes to see, ears to hear, a nose to smell, the sense of touch, a
mind to think, legs and feet to carry us, arms to hug, and that’s just a few
things to think about among so much more.
In our home life He provides
a spouse to compliment us, children to brag about and emulate us, grandchildren
to spoil, a roof over our head, food for our belly, transportation, a job to
support us, and much more.
He has given us the beauty of
flowers to behold and smell, trees for oxygen, water to quench our thirst, the
moon for romance, the sun to keep us warm, a universe that doesn’t explode or
implode, and this is only the beginning.
The greatest gift of all is
God’s grace He freely gives. We all rebelled in the Garden of Eden. Along with
Adam and Eve, we died spiritually. We are all born with what is called, “an old
sin nature.” We deserve nothing but eternal death.
“For all have sinned, and
come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)
“For the wages of sin is
death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
(Romans 6:23)
Have you ever been in a
situation where someone you love was in serious trouble? Maybe you’re thinking
of your child. Perhaps someone you love with all your heart was suffering
physically. You have said, “If only I could go through that for them. If only I
could take it away.”
But then there is God’s
grace.
Even though we are born a
sinful people; rebellious and unappreciative, God chose to take our place.
Probably all of us at one time or another has desired to take the place of our
loved one who is suffering. We can’t do that because we’re tainted with sin.
God can, because only He is holy and without sin. Therefore, He did.
God came into this world,
born of a virgin, truly God and truly man. On a Roman cross He bore all our
sins. Then three days later He rose from the tomb where they buried Him.
Through this act of infinite
love God has taken our judgment upon Himself. All He requires of us is to
believe it and accept it. He says,
“Come now, and let us reason
together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as
white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah
1:18) and,
“Come unto me, all ye that
labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
That is God’s grace.
There is nothing we can do to
save ourselves. We can’t take the hurt away. We can’t take the judgment away.
But God can, when we put our trust in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Even though God’s grace is
available to all, many continue to ignore all that He has done to provide us
all we need. He has provided us everything we need materially, and spiritually,
and it is all through His Son.
Going back to our first verse
in Romans 1:20, if we take the blinders off and look around us the “individual
qualities,” “eternal power,” and “divine nature” of God is self-evident.
Now we must ask, “Do I see
now all that He has provided?”
Grant Phillips
Email: grantphillips@windstream.net
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture Ready: http://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html
