Does God like it?
I was looking for Casper’s programme on CliffCentral the other day. I wanted to listen to someone who was going to be on his show. Before the start of the programme a female voice said: If you are sensitive to topics like science or religion, we cordially invite you to f*off.
Man, that cut right through me. why do we have to swear to be funny?
Paul puts a stop sign up: 4Though some tongues just love the taste of gossip, those who follow Jesus have better uses for language than that. Don’t talk dirty or silly. That kind of talk doesn’t fit our style. Thanksgiving is our dialect.
Because the result is: 5You can be sure that using people or religion or things just for what you can get out of them—the usual variations on idolatry—will get you nowhere, and certainly nowhere near the kingdom of Christ, the kingdom of God.
Yes, God is merciful and the Bible says that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just in forgiving us. I just wonder if God is not going to get tired of us if we know that we are not acting within his will, but still continue doing the wrong things. It may be the wrong question to ask, but I’m not waiting for an answer: Is there a place where God’s mercy runs out?
When I was a child my mother always warned us to be careful. But we didn’t listen. We had so much fun that we didn’t listen to her warnings.
One of the things she always warned us about was not to play on the garage roof. But, o, it was such a fantastic place to have sword fights. One day my brother gave one step too many and fell off the roof. A line of stitches on the head was the result. It could’ve been much worse.
It’s like playing on a slippery patio. You will land on your backside, not if, but when.
There’s nothing wrong with making jokes – on the contrary, God wants us to laugh and have fun. There’s nothing wrong with having money and having a lot of it. We must just use it within God’s will. When money becomes your boss, if you chase after money at the cost of relationships, your family, your children, you’re making a mess. If the house where you live, the car you drive and the school your children go to is more important to you than the person, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
Maybe we should make a question of verse 4 and use it to confront ourselves: Does God like what I did now, what I said? Is it good for Him to hear? Does God enjoy seeing the picture of the things that I do?
Paul does not want to put shackles on our feet. He does not want to restrict us with a bunch of rules and regulations. He wants to protect us and help us to remain free, because you see, things like dirty jokes and the underhand use of money start getting a hold of you. It’s those things that grab you and steal your freedom. Maybe this doesn’t make sense to you, but sit back a little and ask yourself: What takes up most of your time? What are you chasing after? Who do you serve?
Maybe we should ask someone to give us their honest opinion of how they experience our lives. Maybe we should have them answer one question: Do you think God likes seeing the way I live here on earth?
Reflection
What do you say?
How are you living?
Does God like seeing you?
Prayer
Father, I know I sometimes do not live within your will. I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I sometimes even know that I’m not living right, but still do it. Please help me to stop doing it. I do want to live a life that honours You so that You will enjoy seeing me. Amen
