God is a Surprise
If I have learned anything over the years as a Pastor, it is that you cannot put God in a box! God is a surprise! Often, we try to put God in a box so we have a God that makes us comfortable. It is Gods’ call to define the boundaries, and it is our call to be obedient. Within the discipline of the institution of the church, there are guidelines which give us direction so that “all things are done decently and in order.” We have laws which govern us put in place by those God has placed in authority over us. Yet every so often, we will find that God will put us in the position where we are called to appeal to a higher law which is identified as the royal law or, more simply, the law of love. ”If you really keep the royal law found in scripture, love your neighbour as yourself you are doing right” (James 2: 8) I pose the following story, and, in so doing, ask “what would you have …show more content…
Relaxing in this sheltered place, I opened up my Bible and began to re-read the teaching passages from the baptismal instruction. Sending up an arrow prayer, I said, “Lord, what about those two ladies back home who want to be re-baptized. I respect that under the discipline of my denomination I am not free to respond to their request. However, they are also asking for my support in this call upon their hearts. What am I to do to honour them and, above all, honour you? As quickly as a normal conversation would take place, a response came to my mind. “If I asked you to be baptized again right now, would you do it?” “Certainly I would,” I replied, “if I knew it was You calling me!” “Come and see,” came back the
If I have learned anything over the years as a Pastor, it is that you cannot put God in a box! God is a surprise! Often, we try to put God in a box so we have a God that makes us comfortable. It is Gods’ call to define the boundaries, and it is our call to be obedient. Within the discipline of the institution of the church, there are guidelines which give us direction so that “all things are done decently and in order.” We have laws which govern us put in place by those God has placed in authority over us. Yet every so often, we will find that God will put us in the position where we are called to appeal to a higher law which is identified as the royal law or, more simply, the law of love. ”If you really keep the royal law found in scripture, love your neighbour as yourself you are doing right” (James 2: 8) I pose the following story, and, in so doing, ask “what would you have …show more content…
Relaxing in this sheltered place, I opened up my Bible and began to re-read the teaching passages from the baptismal instruction. Sending up an arrow prayer, I said, “Lord, what about those two ladies back home who want to be re-baptized. I respect that under the discipline of my denomination I am not free to respond to their request. However, they are also asking for my support in this call upon their hearts. What am I to do to honour them and, above all, honour you? As quickly as a normal conversation would take place, a response came to my mind. “If I asked you to be baptized again right now, would you do it?” “Certainly I would,” I replied, “if I knew it was You calling me!” “Come and see,” came back the