I listened to a radio preacher today tell his listeners, “Sin is sin because God said so.” I kept waiting for him to answer the question, “Why did Godsay so?” He never did. I was reminded of a small child asking his parent why he had to do something and receiving the very unsatisfactory answer, “Because I said so.” Parents usually have good reasons for their requests but sometimes don’t have the time and energy to get the small child to understand. God is not like that. He has a reason for every single command and He wants us to explore with Him the reason why. God is honored when we question Him. It gives Him an opportunity to display His good sense and love for us.
There is not a single commandment that does not benefit us to obey. God is not some twisted psychopath who plays with us. He does not give us rules just to see if we will comply. He gives direction because in His infinite wisdom He knows what is best for us. Don’t be content with a “Because I told you so” answer. As adults we deserve to know the reason and our heavenly Father is delighted to comply. He knows once we understand we will appreciate and love Him ever so much more because He always has our best interest at heart.
Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD.
Written by Roger Bothwell on April 13, 2009
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
rogerbothwell.org