Dear Friends,
If you could invent something that would make life easier, what would you invent? I’d invent “Clean-House Glasses.” Just think of it: a pair of glasses that you could put on your husband, wife, or a friend that would totally change their perspective. To the person wearing “Clean-House Glasses,” dirty socks on the floor would become invisible, unwashed dishes in the sink would seem to magically disappear, and an automobile that looks like wolves made a den in the back seat would appear new-car clean.
Of course, once they took off their “Clean-House Glasses,” the mess would still be there, and the criticisms would resume. Unless, that is, you finally got on the ball and cleaned up your act.
Have you, like me, had times when you wished God had “Clean-House Glasses” when it comes to your sin — times when you knew what you should do but were compelled to take another path? The apostle Paul wrote about this conflict: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.” Romans 7:15-17 (NIV)
Those of you old enough to remember the comedian Flip Wilson may still smile when you think of his character Geraldine. When Geraldine was caught in an indiscretion, her immediate response would be a high-pitched, “The devil made me do it!”
Neither “It is sin living in me.” nor “The devil made me do it!” relieve us from the responsibility of our own actions. God doesn’t have “Clean-House Glasses” when it comes to sin; he wants the messes cleaned up.
God will reward or punish every person for what he has done. Some people live for God’s glory, for honor, and for life that has no end. They live for those things by always continuing to do good. God will give life forever to them. But other people are selfish and refuse to follow truth. They follow evil. God will give them his punishment and anger. Romans 2:6-8 (ICB)
The words from Romans might strike terror in our heart if it weren’t for other Scriptures that show that God doesn’t have unrealistic expectations.
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:23-24 (NLT)
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 2:1-2 (NIV)
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
Until someone comes along to market “Clean-House Glasses,” we’ll just have to pick up our socks, wash our dishes, and take a few more trips to the car wash. That will help keep peace in our homes. But trusting in Jesus is the only sure way to keep peace in our hearts.
Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ
Because He Loves Us Press 