MANIPULATING GODS FAVOR THROUGH GOOD BEHAVIOR - FAIL!

   

  If you have ever set off fireworks, you know how disappointing it is when you light a fuse only to watch a little wisp of smoke drift off and no bang.  It's a temporary let down when you realize you lit a dud.  Out of a box of 100 firecrackers, there is bound to be 3 or 4 duds.  Even though 97 exploded and brought satisfaction, those 3 that failed still let you down because you anticipated a certain outcome and nothing happened.  After all, you did your part by lighting the fuse so, obviously, the maker of the firecracker failed you because you got no bang.

GOD CANNOT BE STRONG ARMED

     Sometimes our spiritual life seems like that.  You do some good deed, or you faithfully go to church every week and you pray for a certain situation anticipating a certain outcome and... nothing but a wisp of smoke.  You think, I did everything right and still nothing happened, there must be something wrong with the maker...  Though you may be careful to never verbalize such words, they sometimes float around in your mind.  The problem is not with the Maker, the problem is with our perception and expectation.  We sometimes get to a level of self righteousness where we falsely believe God somehow owes us something for being good.  Or even worse, we perform solely for the purpose of demanding something from God.  God cannot be manipulated, strong armed nor fooled into giving us what we want.  

WE ARE NOT TRAINED CIRCUS ANIMALS 

      Many people fall away from faith because of faulty thinking.  Once you believe God owes you something or you have somehow earned God's favor through good behavior, you have failed Theology 101.  If your obedience to God is motivated by what you can get from God you have reduced yourself to the level of a trained seal clamoring for a fish or a poodle jumping through a hoop of fire for yummy dog treat.  We are not trained circus animals, we are children of the Living God, created in His image.  

OBEDIENCE OUT OF FEAR IS MISPLACED 

      Another trap to avoid is obedience out of fear.  This is not the "Fear of the Lord is beginning of wisdom" kind of fear, this is the, if I step out of line, God will whack me kind of fear.  This fear is an unhealthy fear that reduces God to an angry control freak who looks for opportunities to inflict pain and retribution on His wayward children.  The scriptures tell us God takes no pleasure in the destruction of the wicked.  If anyone deserved to get a whack it was Adam in the Garden of Eden.  Adam sinned and then tried to hide from God.  God did not yank him out of the bushes by his hair and beat him, instead God called out to him and covered his nakedness.  Yes, there was the whole curse thing, because there are consequences for bad behavior, but even in the midst of consequence, God demonstrated mercy, grace and love.  

GOD IS NEITHER A GENIE NOR AN OGRE

      God's nature is revealed to us in scripture.  He is neither a Genie we can call upon to grant us our wishes nor is He an ogre angrily awaiting our failure so He can gleefully inflict pain and suffering.  God is a loving father who desires fellowship with His children.  Yes, obedience leads to blessing, but on His terms and determination, not our whims.  Yes, disobedience leads to discipline, as scripture reminds us God disciplines the ones He loves, however, Godly discipline is designed to correct bad behavior and bring restoration.  

OBEDIENCE BECOMES  WHO WE ARE NOT WHAT WE DO

     When we begin to see God as He truly is, obedience becomes part of who we are, not merely something we do. If you love someone, you want to please them.  Therefore, if you love God... well you get the idea.  God desires a relationship that is more than you simply following a set of rules, God desires the pleasure of your company because He loves you. Jesus told us His yoke was easy and His burden light because the commands of God are designed for our own protection and benefit.  Our disobedience breaks fellowship, our repentance restores fellowship.  In the midst of all that, our position in Christ remains secure.     

       Do not be discouraged when God tells you no.  God is not beholden to your behavior or religious practice, He is beholden to His own sovereignty  and holiness.  When God says no, it is for your good.  Rejoice in the knowledge He loves you enough to tell you no. 

 Now, go live as Christ... and give the devil hell!