I’m always amazed at how timely the devotionals are when I open His Utmost For His Highest.  Either for me personally or for people in general.  Today is the day after the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in all states.  A hot and divisive issue–especially among “Christians.”  Some people think that everything has all come to an end–gone to hell in a handbag.  Others think life has just begun, all things are right in the world, JUSTICE is finally here.  The problem is, it’s not that easy.  We don’t live in a vacuum and no matter where you stand on any given issue–Chevy’s are better than Fords; Macs are better than PC’s; electric cars are better than gas and everyone should drive one; bikes should be our mode of transportation; dogs are better than cats and if you have a cat, keep it on a leash; coffee is better than tea; Nikon is better than Cannon; it can go on and on and on–we will never agree on everything and SOMEBODY is always going to be discriminated against.  I’ve heard verbal wars fought over such insignificant topics as listed above.  If we can’t agree on small things, how will we ever agree on others–especially when labels like “sinner” or “hater” become a part of the vocabulary–who has a right to make that judgement call on anyone?!

Then there’s the word “Coexist.”  What does that mean?  To “coexist” to the fullest sense of the word would mean that we are wishy washy, hold no opinion that would offend another or at least never state it, stop with critical thinking, love the plant as much as a human or a cow and therefore even vegans are screwed–and so is all humanity because we’d starve.  I know I’m being cynical here, but even people who stand on the soapbox of “coexistence” can’t agree and begin name-calling and labeling others–therefore, doesn’t that make them a “hater” as well–the very thing they are against?

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have a strong opinion on at least one subject–even those who say they don’t would die on their hill of “justice for all” and would feel like they were being treated unjustly if not agreed with.  We are passionate about things and we should be, but as soon as we begin to think that we have a right that others don’t, someone looses their right and justice ceases.

This is where today’s devotional came in for me.

“Don’t worry about whether or not you are being treated justly.”  Looking for justice is actually a sign that we have been diverted from our devotion to Him [Jesus].  Never look for justice in this world, but never cease to give it.  If we look for justice, we will only begin to complain and to indulge ourselves in the discontent of self-pity, as if to say, “Why should I be treated like this?”  In essence, Jesus says, “Continue steadily on with what I have told you to do, and I will guard your life.  If you try to guard it yourself, you remove yourself from My deliverance.”  Even the most devout among us become atheistic in this regard–we do not believe Him.  We put our common sense on the throne and then attach God’s name to it.

“Common sense” to a “Christian” says, “Same sex marriage is a sin, therefore you are a sinner if you are gay!”  However, to God, judging someone else is a sin and you have actually placed yourself in the place of God, the only One who is truly Just, when you pass judgement on anyone for ANYTHING!  The only One who loves completely, unselfishly, unconditionally, and for all eternity can judge us with JUSTICE.  And the only reason that can happen is because of Jesus Christ who paid for our sin of choice–whether we are in the midst of that sin or have been renewed in that area of our life by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  Justice was met at the cross and without Christ–we are JUST  ICE–cold, heartless, unloving, judgmental, hurtful, argumentative sinners.  Which means, we’re all in the same boat–sinners, in need of a Savior.  “While we were sinning, Christ died.” “This is my commandment that you love.”  “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.”  “They will know we are Christians by our love.”

L  O  V  E  —  The end!!!!