POWER-Minute
WE SERVE AN UNFAIR GOD
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
Luke 23:39-43 (NIV)
One of my young friends wrote this on his Facebook wall, “As much as I do what I'm not supposed to and go against His will, God continues to bless me and my family tremendously.” I think this may have been the testimony of the thief who acknowledged that Jesus was Lord and repented. However, I believe that the unrepentant thief’s testimony was that we serve an unfair God!!!
You see, both men, along with the crowd, mocked Jesus. But, as the hours wore on, the one man’s conscience was pricked and he discontinued his diatribe against Christ, rebuking his partner in crime. After hearing and seeing Jesus forgive the man of his sin, it must have seemed mighty unfair to that man that an eternity in paradise would be his friend’s reward and eternal torment would be his.
Two men—same crime—same sentence—different outcome!!! I see myself in this dark comedy. How many times have I held Jesus to an open shame because of my unbelief? How many times have I mocked Him with my nonchalant attitude? It would take hours to recapitulate my transgressions. But one day He gave me a glimpse of glory. I knew then that I did not have to live in denial and try to justify my rebellion against His Word, His Name and His Blood!!! I knew I could count on God being unfair!!! He would not repay me with what I deserved. Rather, He would pay a debt He did not owe—a debt I could not pay. Unfair? YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!!!
Thanking God for Jesus, I remain,
Pastor Kathy
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
Luke 23:39-43 (NIV)
One of my young friends wrote this on his Facebook wall, “As much as I do what I'm not supposed to and go against His will, God continues to bless me and my family tremendously.” I think this may have been the testimony of the thief who acknowledged that Jesus was Lord and repented. However, I believe that the unrepentant thief’s testimony was that we serve an unfair God!!!
You see, both men, along with the crowd, mocked Jesus. But, as the hours wore on, the one man’s conscience was pricked and he discontinued his diatribe against Christ, rebuking his partner in crime. After hearing and seeing Jesus forgive the man of his sin, it must have seemed mighty unfair to that man that an eternity in paradise would be his friend’s reward and eternal torment would be his.
Two men—same crime—same sentence—different outcome!!! I see myself in this dark comedy. How many times have I held Jesus to an open shame because of my unbelief? How many times have I mocked Him with my nonchalant attitude? It would take hours to recapitulate my transgressions. But one day He gave me a glimpse of glory. I knew then that I did not have to live in denial and try to justify my rebellion against His Word, His Name and His Blood!!! I knew I could count on God being unfair!!! He would not repay me with what I deserved. Rather, He would pay a debt He did not owe—a debt I could not pay. Unfair? YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!!!
Thanking God for Jesus, I remain,
Pastor Kathy
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