John 9:41, “Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.”
As many of you know, my wife and I have been blessed to have two children, Joshua Benjamin and Sarah Elisabeth. As we’ve watched them grow, we’ve witnessed the grace of God in both their lives, and in that we rejoice. We’ve also seen the carnal nature inherited from Adam. While trying to follow biblical guidelines in training up our children (Proverbs 22:6), we have required more of them as they grew. What we require of them today is much more than what we did when they were in their early years. Why? Because we know that they understand more today.
This very same principal can be found in scripture concerning the Lord’s dealings with His people. If His children were ignorant of information, God will oftentimes show more gentleness than He does towards them who know better. In Luke 12:47-48 we read, “And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask more.”
To further establish this principal, I would ask the reader to consider Lamentations 4:6, “For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.” In the destruction of Sodom, we clearly read it was in a moment, and no hands were laid upon them to distress with captivity and slavery. When Jerusalem was judged for her sins, the people being surrounded by the armies of Babylon went days without food and were taken into a 70-year captivity. Why was the judgment so severe? The answer is, they were blessed with the light of God to know better.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, the merciful God of heaven and earth has been good to us. The Lord has blessed the nation in which I am a citizen, but I am in fear at this time because many decisions are being made which are contrary to God’s word. The lack of respect for life and for God’s institution of marriage is sinful rebellion against God. The Lord has been merciful, but I fear His longsuffering may soon come to an end. What should I do? I should draw near to Him (James 4:8). Pray for His mercy and guidance in my life. Pray that He would bless me to see my errors and repent that I may be an example to my family and to the community in which I live. Pray that He would bless His Church to have effect on a world that grows darker and darker by the day. Remember His promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Amen!