July 20, 2020: SOAP #3882:  2Chronicles 29-31; James 4

Scripture:  James (NIV) 4:11 Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Observation:  Tucked into this passage about how we are to treat other members of the body of Christ is a statement about God, His position and His ability. 

His position is Lawgiver and Judge.  Because He is the creator of all, He has the authority to make the rules.  Because He is Holy and Loving His rules are right and good for all creation.  He made the rules based on His character and He judges and enforces the rules based on His character. 

His ability is that He can save AND He can destroy.  How comforting it is to know that God saves!  So many times, and in so many ways we need His salvation.  And, how foolish it is to forget that He is also able to destroy!  His ability to save and/or destroy is based on the same character from which He gives law and judges—His love and holiness.  In His love for creation and in His holiness He destroys that which is working to destroy that which He fiercely loves.

Application:  The better I know God, the better I understand His ways—the better I understand what he created.  His natural and moral characteristics are seen in His creation.  They are more fully revealed in the Bible, His Holy Word.  They are personally revealed in His presence and work in and through each of us!    

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, it is your deep desire that your holiness and love be known throughout the creation that displays your omnipotence and omnipresence.  May you shine through me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!