The Truth You Can’t Tweak
Well, now, friend, how about you showin’ up like a curious young bobcat that caught the scent of somethin’ real interestin’ floatin’ off this ol’ front porch, and so you came right on over to investigate the situation. Ok, then, come on through this gate and sit yourself down right over here because we’re gonna be chewin’ on a morsel tastier than warm, fresh-baked molasses cookies and more surprising than a lil’ ol’ “Houdini” sort of yard dog that’s done figured a way to sneak right on outta the yard and git himself into some big trouble with the feisty, ol’ barnyard rooster protectin’ his hens. And mercy, let me tell you what! I was out watchin’ a determined little groundhog earlier, sittin’ upright and lookin’ around like he was plum ponderin’ the mysteries of the whole universe, and it sure did make me think about how folks today love to customize everything. And that thought elbowed me straight on over toward Psalm 19:9, where it says, “Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true. Each one is fair.”
But, friend, we live in a world where people try to customize God like He’s some kind of a burger order. “I’ll take a God who loves, but not a God who judges.” “I’ll take some of that sweet mercy but hold the holiness.” They plum talk like God can be reduced to one attribute as if His love and His justice can’t sit together at the same heavenly table. Truth is, when folks say they believe in a nonjudgmental god, what they really mean is they believe in a god who don’t give a care about right and wrong. In other words, a god they plum made up in their own heads.
But Scripture sho’-nuff says otherwise. If God is truly a lovin’ Father, then He must also be just. His perfect love can’t be separated from His perfect righteousness. And, friend, that ain’t no excuse for ignorin’ His plan of salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that none of us deserve Heaven. Salvation is a very special gift. And just as no one is gonna be in Heaven unwillingly, no one is gonna be in Hell who didn’t choose it.
Father, thank You for bein’ perfectly loving and perfectly just. Help me honor Your truth, trust Your character, and share Your salvation with clarity and compassion. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Well, how about it, friend? Let me settle this truth right here with you the way a long‑awaited rain settles the dust on a tired ol’ country road. God won’t ever force anyone into Heaven, and He won’t ever shove anyone into Hell. Every soul gits to choose its direction, like a deer choosin’ which trail to follow. Some folks are gonna choose the path that leads to life. Others are gonna choose the route that leads away from Him. But friend, you just keep right on sharin’, keep right on prayin’, and keep right on livin’ the truth with a steady heart. And let this reality rest deep in your soul that God is always at work in places you can't see, stirrin' thoughts, softenin’ hearts, and openin’ doors you never knew were there. So, keep walkin’ in faith and leave the results in His hands. He knows exactly how to lead every wanderin’ heart the moment it finally turns toward home.
With joy,
Gwen
