Day 4

CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Gal. 6:7

When God called Samuel (1 Sam. 3:4-10) he told him how he intended to act toward Eli and his two sons. At first it may seem harsh but all three had deliberately disobeyed God and brought shame to his name. God intended to punish the sons for their iniquity and the father for not restraining them (1 Sam. 4:11,18).

We may sometimes be tempted to think of God as a stern teacher, who punishes us if we don't please him. We may occasionally resent authority even that of God. But this is to forget a most important fact: God has made us so that we can choose to serve him freely. We are not puppets in his hands to dance to his will. But that freedom carries with it responsibility for our actions.

In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve disobeyed God. But God did not change towards them (Gen. 3:8). He placed the blame where it really belonged (Gen. 3:14,15), nevertheless that day Adam and Eve had to learn to live with the consequences of their actions (Gen. 3:15-19,23).

Eli's sons were punished for the dreadful influence of their evil over Israel. Do you think God had good reason to be angry with Eli (1 Sam. 3:13)?

Read 1 Cor. 10:23,24. What does Paul mean by saying everything is permissible but not necessarily beneficial? Do you see a connection between this and the idea that we have free choice but have to live with the result of our actions.

Lord God, help me to make wise choices but give me grace to face the consequences honestly when I go astray and to seek your guidance to find my way back.