In 2 Chronicles 32:8 we are given a quote from Hezekiah of whom is said “Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him.” Given such a reputation, it is only good sense to stop a moment and hear what he had to say in a crucial moment of history. He said, talking about an enemy who in every way outmatched him and was sure to defeat him short of the miraculous, “With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.”
What a gift it would be to be able to make this statement with utter sincerity when I add up my finances and see that the bills cannot all get paid. How impressive would we find it to see someone whose body is wasting with disease but quotes this passage to us with a smile. Should we not be intrigued if a person made this their battle cry as all of their resources failed them and there is not only no hope of victory but no hope of escape or mercy.
Can we set aside our own personal madness for a moment and speak plainly? What is this madness, you ask? The madness is not being all-in for God. Don’t worry, I’m fine you say. No….no, you are not. Really, I’m a good person, you say. Uh…hmm…sure. Let us talk about God’s will a little bit. Oh, there are a lot of gray areas on that topic aren’t there, you ask (say). Maybe not so many as we would like to think.
Let us begin. Remember the bit about the Good Samaritan? This parable was told in response to the question “who is my neighbor?” That question is the-dodge, that is, the opposite of all-in. The answer was whoever needs you to be. What does this have to do with gray areas?
Just a few examples (it is easy to find many many more)…
God says obey your authorities. We ask who are they exactly and aren’t there some exceptions to this obedience? This is the-dodge. Obey your authorities. If you are not sure if someone is your authority, obey just in case. Don’t ask where the line is. Obey. God will let you know if you obey too much. That usually isn’t the problem.
God says not to steal. What is stealing exactly? What if ‘they’ can afford it? When I am on the clock at work goofing off, does that count? Surely, photocopying my butt is not considered stealing! Ew…and still the-dodge. The (befouled) photocopier is your employer’s and the ink, electricity, (disinfecting) and paper cost them something, not to mention the time you are getting paid. If you are not clear–100%–that it is NOT stealing, then you are. Stop it.
God says to give thanks in all circumstances. All, really? Yes. All, all…yes. When that jerk cuts me off in traffic then slams on the brakes in front of me, smashes up my car, and I get the ticket? Mmm hmm, yes, give thanks. Asking for the exception is the-dodge. Ask instead how you can better give thanks, how you can be more honest, and how you can be more obedient.
Gray areas…only the ones we look to find as we compromise, trying (and failing) to meet the wicked desires of our flesh and as we follow the whispers of demons. Remember the story of the Good Samaritan? What was the context? The question is “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” The answer is “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” That is a lot of all-in. Forget the-dodge and go all-in with Jesus.
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