Living As Examples Of Responsible Living

"Today's Devotion" For August 16, 2003

Read: I Thessalonians 4:1-12; Psalm 1

LIVING AS EXAMPLES OF RESPONSIBLE LIVING

"So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him."(II Pet.3:14)

Over the years there seems to be constant refrain coming from certain quarters that our laws are too harsh, our punishment of criminals is too severe, and even terrorists should be treated as if they're merely recalcitrant children. At the same time there have been those who have been somewhat "voices crying in the wilderness" that such thinking is not only dangerous for society, but can lead to greater acts of irresponsibility and aberrant behavior. At the very heart of the debate is the question as to whether people should be held accountable for their actions, or, if there's something "in the water" that causes them to act in such selfish and irresponsible ways, without regard for the welfare of others?

So this morning, while listening to a radio talk show, it didn't come as much of a surprise when I heard that the National Mental Health Association (I hope I got this right - it's some nation mental health group) is proposing to classify all types of "abnormal" behavior, such as the "compulsion to straighten the throw rug so people don't trip over it" or "my wife and I don't have good relations in bed because she doesn't get excited as much as I do anymore." The discussion focused on two things this will accomplish if allowed to go through: 1) Insurance companies will be forced to cover any medication or counseling for such issues because they would be classified as "mental health" problems; and, 2) No one would be personally responsible for their behavior anymore because they could classify it as a "mental illness." WOW!!! Whatever happened to the concept of Sin and the acts of childish disobedience to God which leads us to selfishly love ourselves before Him and others? It seems as if the mental health industry is looking for a way to excuse aberrant behavior as "mental illness" instead of what it is in most cases - sinful disobedience to God.

St. Paul makes it clear to the Thessalonians that they were called by God to live lives very different from the world in which they were living. As Scripture points out, by the power of the Word and Spirit our hearts and minds are changed so that we know what God's Will is, what is right and good in His eyes, and we are called to responsible living as His children (cf. Mt. 25:21ff and Rom. 12:1, 2). St. Paul reminds us in Romans 8 that "we were therefore buried with Him (Christ) through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life" (v.4). Peter's call (II Pet. 3:14 - above) is that as God's redeemed children we are examples of God-pleasing behavior to the world around us as we "seek to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with Him."

With the pressure of the world around us to find mitigation for sinful behavior, it's not easy to live as examples of responsible living – God’s way. It's too easy to get sucked into being like everyone else and finding excuses for our behavior, and that of others, rather than calling a sin, a sin. At the same time, it's very easy for us to go along with the world's common approach to "forgiveness," where forgiveness means there are no longer any consequences for one's behavior. Yet, as God's redeemed and forgiven children in Jesus Christ, how we live and how we take responsibility for our actions and behavior is a witness and testimony of God's love for the world. It does no good for us to make excuses for our behavior or shirk our responsibilities for our behavior. As the people of God, living as examples of responsible living – God’s way - means knowing His forgiveness but also knowing our behavior has consequences, with the ultimate consequence having been Jesus' death on the Cross for the sins of all mankind. He paid the ultimate price – “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” - so that we might be saved from the ultimate consequence of Sin - eternity without God. It's that sacrifice that motivates our behavior and encourages our responsible living as a witness and testimony to the world. There are eternal consequences for sinful behavior, even if the world finds a way to excuse every sinful action as a "mental defect." Only Jesus can lead us past such foolishness to full accountability before the Father and His full forgiveness in Christ.

Prayer: Father, I know that on my own and of myself I cannot be "spotless, blameless and at peace" with You. Only You can accomplish that in me and for me in Jesus, my Lord and Savior. By Your Word and Spirit, help me to grow more firmly in my faith and service to You. Let me be an example of "responsible living" for You. Help me to show others what it means to take responsibility for my actions, and live in Your forgiveness and love. Help me to share Your love with others so that they, too, may come to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord, and stand before You "spotless, blameless, and at peace." Hear me, Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.