Because God Said So

BECAUSE GOD SAID SO

I wrote an article recently about the need to show compassion in the same
way Jesus did. This has generated a number of responses from people
generally telling me that they have a long way to go to be as compassionate
as Jesus. Some even shared their relationship problems they have with other
people.

As I've thought about this problem I realized that we are in the midst of a
struggle to balance showing compassion while understanding God's demand for
righteous, obedient living. I wish I had all of the answers, but all I have
is some general insights into this problem.

Compassion for those around us is demanded in the scriptures, but obedience
to God's commandments is also demanded. Is there a conflict in scripture
between these two ideas? No, absolutely not. We follow the example of a
loving God who has always demanded obedience and righteous living. He loved
us enough to send his only son to die for us, but in return he expects us to
make the effort to obey His Word and live righteous lives.

Why is there even a question about this concept? It's because our world has
come to the conclusion that God doesn't mean what he says. That each person
has "THE RIGHT" to do whatever makes them happy, disregarding what the Word
of God might say.

Our society has so lost its connection with the Word of God that it says,
"Whatever you want to do, whatever makes you happy is alright." Because of
that we see ethics and morality at an all time low. We see people openly
living in or endorsing sin as just an alternative life style or a matter of
choice. People don't like to be told they are wrong or that there is a guide
line they must follow. They want a God that is so loving; that he accepts
them even when they refuse to leave sin and do what he asks. Yet the apostle
John writes in 1 John 5:3, "The proof that we love God comes when we keep
his commandments and they are not at all hard to keep."

What does God's Word say about Ethics and Morals and obeying God's
commandments? The Apostle Paul gives us a short list in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
where he writes: "Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit
the Kingdom of God?" (Then he explains what some of these "wrong" things
are)

He continues: "Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or
who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice
homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are
abusive, or cheat people, none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.
SOME OF YOU WERE ONCE LIKE THAT. BUT YOU WERE CLEANSED; you were made holy;
you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
and by the Spirit of our God." (If you want a little longer list look at
Galatians 5:16-21).

Compassion is not saying, "Oh those poor people are doing things God says
are sin". It is not accepting their choices as being OK because our society
says it is. Compassion is recognizing the sin and loving them enough to try
and help them recognize it for sin. It is helping people understand that:
"The proof that we love God comes when we keep his commandments and they are
not at all hard to keep." It is in helping them understand what God requires
to have a home with him eternally in Heaven. Why do we have to do some
things, even if we don't want to! Whether we like it or not, it is because
God said so!

Russ Lawson