Certainly, I would want to tell you, never ever could I abuse the Goodness of God. He who gave everything that I might be saved. Loving me with a depth of love I cannot comprehend, He called me to be His child. Furthermore, He has been there to guide me every step of the way. He never ever left me alone. Even in the darkest valleys of my doubt or rebellion, He remained. So, how can I ever abuse the goodness of God? Yet, I have. And if you are honest, most likely you have as well at some point. And the world? Yes, the world seems hell bent in their abuse of the goodness of God. Yet, He has remained faithful.
Part of the problem is our somehow believing we deserve the goodness of God to be poured out upon us regardless of our behavior, devotion or love? It is as if we feel He owes us everything our little hearts can desire, but with no accountability for our own actions. I would say this is a postmodern ideology. But, alas, it has been the plight of mankind from the days of Adam and Eve. His goodness and kindness poured forth upon them. He walked in the Garden with them, providing for their every need. Yet, they wanted more. They wanted to be like God. The creature wanted to be the creator, at least of their own destiny.
Don’t we do that? Our heart crying out, “How dare God suggest that He know what is best for my life?” Even when we don’t say it out loud, we say that all too often with our actions, our fears, our lack of faith, and our grumbling.
The Depravity of the Human Heart
When we look at Romans 1 and 2, we will first note the main theme. “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth… Therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith. (Romans 1:16-17).
Then, Paul lays out the case for people’s depravity of mind. “when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Romans 1:21). Because of this, God allowed them to go after that which they chose. In other words, He let go, due to giving us all free will to choose rather than to chain us, restraining us into a forced faith. Out of that the remainder of chapter one describes the progression of man’s decline into the ugly reality of the self-ruled, self-exalting heart of humans without God’s steadying hand of grace and kindness holding them back.
But look once more where it began, “they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful”. It is no wonder then that Paul in Chapter 2 begins with dissecting those who so smugly think themselves righteous. The ones who pretend to be so “good.” Yet, with hearts filled with pride and self.
Romans 2:1-6
Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
Therefore, note this. “Or despises thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness (lovingkindness) of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
Have you forgotten His lovingkindness toward you? Do you trample under feet His Grace? What would you truly have been were it not for His Hand of Grace sustaining you, providing for you? Yet, we desire something else, more than He to fulfill our joy and march on against Him. Doing our own thing. Or grumbling that what He has given is not enough. Not trusting the goodness of God, we worry, complain and seek elsewhere to be fulfilled.
The Goodness of God
So, what about the goodness of God?
“God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). Yet, despite this—He graciously did a reset. Yes, He sent the flood. But He did not destroy once and forever all. Was that not an act of Grace?
What about then, His calling of Abraham? Did He not demonstrate His love to call out a people to Himself for the purpose of bringing the Messiah. The only one who through His unblemished righteousness could pay the price for all humanity.
Still throughout the history of the Jewish nation, God remained faithful. He gave them all they could possibly need; but their self-exalting, pride filled hearts grumbled, complained, sought out other idols to worship instead of ever saying thank you. Still the goodness of God kept reaching out in love to protect, guide, and plead with them. Indeed.
“And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. The Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” Exodus 34: 5-7
Abuse the Goodness of God?
What about you and me? How often do we abuse the goodness of God? Well, this subject is way too big for one post. Next time I hope to present ways to NOT abuse the goodness of God and how we can make a difference in our nation as well.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
PREVIOUSLY
6 Demonstrations of the Perfect Righteousness of God Revealed
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
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