Authority Matters
When we break the law, it is not the seriousness of the offense alone that determines the penalty, but it is who the offense was against and the power they wield that also determines the penalty. For example,
If I lie to my daughter, there is little she can do to me but be disappointed.
If I lie to my wife, I might be in the "dog house" for awhile (or worse).
If I lie to my employer, I could end up losing my job.
If I lie to a judge, I could end up in jail.
Do you see where this is going?
What happens when we lie when the Creator of the Universe told us not to?
Revelation 21:8 says that all liars will end up in the lake of fire.
But when it comes to judging ourselves, we think these things are "no big deal" because we only look at the sin and not the authority the sin was against.
All of a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the Lord evaluates the motives. (Proverbs 21:2 NET)
What is the point to this? We need to understand that ultimately all sin is against God (Psalm 51:4), and God is just in His judgments. He longs to be gracious to us, but He cannot do that until we admit that we need mercy. As long as we insist that we are righteous without God, or apart from God, He can only judge us based on our righteousness, and Jesus said, "No one is good--except God alone." (Mark 10:18, Luke 18:19)
We need to humble ourselves, and bring an end to our justifications.
If I lie to my daughter, there is little she can do to me but be disappointed.
If I lie to my wife, I might be in the "dog house" for awhile (or worse).
If I lie to my employer, I could end up losing my job.
If I lie to a judge, I could end up in jail.
Do you see where this is going?
What happens when we lie when the Creator of the Universe told us not to?
Revelation 21:8 says that all liars will end up in the lake of fire.
But when it comes to judging ourselves, we think these things are "no big deal" because we only look at the sin and not the authority the sin was against.
All of a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the Lord evaluates the motives. (Proverbs 21:2 NET)
What is the point to this? We need to understand that ultimately all sin is against God (Psalm 51:4), and God is just in His judgments. He longs to be gracious to us, but He cannot do that until we admit that we need mercy. As long as we insist that we are righteous without God, or apart from God, He can only judge us based on our righteousness, and Jesus said, "No one is good--except God alone." (Mark 10:18, Luke 18:19)
We need to humble ourselves, and bring an end to our justifications.
Notes:
Image(s) of increase in authority. (No faces)
Exodus 20:16
Psalm 51:4
Image(s) of increase in authority. (No faces)
Exodus 20:16
Psalm 51:4
