- God will punish the Gentiles when
they sin, even though they never had God's written law. And he will punish
the Jews when they sin, for they do have the law. For it is not merely
knowing the law that brings God's approval. Those who obey the law will be
declared right in God's sight. Even when Gentiles, who do not have God's
written law, instinctively follow what the law says, they show that in their
hearts they know right from wrong. They demonstrate that God's law is
written within them, for their own consciences either accuse them or tell
them they are doing what is right. The day will surely come when God, by
Jesus Christ, will judge everyone's secret life. This is my message. (Romans
2:12-16 NLT).
-
- I must say that I have gotten “hooked” on another
TV series. “Law and Order” has become somewhat of a staple for me to
watch. It is an older series that has gone into syndication now and has
numerous reruns playing. The kernel of each of the episodes revolves around
the solving of various crimes through forensic investigation. Of course, DNA
and fingerprints are staples of the investigations.
-
- It is next to impossible for anyone to make anything
without leaving behind their fingerprints. That's why criminals take so much
care to wipe away their fingerprints. By the same token, because God made
you, God's fingerprints are all over you. Too often, like the criminal, we
attempt to cover up God's fingerprints. For many people in our culture, it
is true that they ignore God. Some of them may pay Him a little lip service
on Sunday morning, but for the most part, God is ignored. Then there is a
small minority, which vocally rejects God. These people want Him banned from
business and education, and especially from government. God's moral
standards are to be set-aside in business. Work in the classroom must also
be done without acknowledging the Author of truth. And religious convictions
are to be left outside the halls of government.
Unfortunately, all this maneuvering is really an effort to escape from God.
But you can never really escape from God. You see, God's fingerprints are
all over you and even inside of you. For example, every time you do
something, your conscience gives its approval or voices its disapproval.
Why? Because you are made in God's image. As a result, there is a special
knowledge of right and wrong within you. That special knowledge of right and
wrong is based upon what God says is right and wrong. This is the meaning of
our reading this morning. God’s law is written in our hearts. So in the
end, as much as you may try, you cannot escape from God, your Creator.-
- Why
don’t you turn to Him today and renew your commitment to His wonderful
handiwork in your life? There is still much more that God desires from all
of us. It requires our permission for Him to complete the work He has begun
in us. Turn Him loose in your life!
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