No hangover

“Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O Lord, for your name’s sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you. O you hope of Israel, its savior in time of trouble, why should you be like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night? Why should you be like a man confused, like a mighty warrior who cannot save? Yet you, O Lord, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; do not leave us.” Thus says the Lord concerning this people: “They have loved to wander thus; they have not restrained their feet; therefore the Lord does not accept them; now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins.” (Jeremiah 14:7–10)

In these NT years where God's people know total forgiveness, taking it for granted happens. If I drift into a lazidactable attitude toward even small sin with no concern for my selfish behavior, I know that Jesus died for me and that I’ve already been forgiven. Had He not done so, I could expect the wrath of God and His action against me.

Has God changed because of the Cross? What am I supposed to think about my sinfulness now that Jesus died for all of it? Take forgiveness for granted? Or act according to gratitude? Being so thankful that I don’t want to add another painful sin to the load that He bore for the entire world?

An “I’m okay” attitude happens. Or my I-wants can become so important to me that I forget the cost to Him by insisting, forgetting, taking forgiveness as a right rather than a gracious gift. This is what was happening in the days of the prophets. The people who heard Jeremiah would not listen. God said not to pray for them; they would not listen so He would not listen either. They wondered why He would not rescue them or spare them from the consequences of their folly of this “Your help is my right” attitude.

Some might say I am being too serious about this, yet better that than being not serious enough. Jesus died for me. Should I not live for Him? Jesus lives in me. Should I not shut down all that keeps His life from being in charge of everything I do?

Jesus, I am looking out a stateroom window of a large ship at the beauty of Juno, Alaska. Some people on this ship will go ashore and hit the bars. Others will marvel at the beauty of what You have done here and find joy in that. I want my ‘hangover’ from this trip to last forever, just like I want the attitudes and actions of my life to survive the tests to come at the judgement seat of Christ. If what I do will only last for this life, nothing is gained for me, nor will there be glory for You. Fill me up today as we walk through it so that  forget about me and focus on You — that You may be glorified.