What follows does not apply to everyone of course, but let us take the opportunity to examine ourselves to see if it applies to us.
Let’s start with children, and realizing that many children don’t have the luxury of living in a ‘normal’ family household.
Materially, the parents provide clothing, schooling, transportation, meals, medical needs, a place to sleep, a clean house, laundry services, and much more. They also provide the most important things of all; love, loving discipline and security.
The expected response the parents would appreciate is gratitude; shown by love, obedience and respect. (Notice I said “expected response” for those of you who are not parents.) This does happen, but … as the child grows something happens in many households … rebellion. It has also been called “growing pains.” They begin biting the hand that feeds them. Now this attitude can be anything from mild to very severe, but it does happen.
The parents ask, “Why don’t they appreciate what we do for them?” The answer I suppose is that they don’t see it. They have become so accustomed to everything being furnished for them, it is expected.
In marriages, adults can be the same way. After a while what is provided by one spouse can be taken for granted by the other.
It would make a healthier marriage if both husband and wife would occasionally really consider all the little things their spouse provides for them. However, how often do we not see the blessings because we have grown accustomed to them?
Now let us consider the following passage.
“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” (Romans 1:20 NLT)
Children spend many years in the household of their parents and become very familiar with all that is provided, even to the point of having eyes but not seeing.
The same is true with adults. As has already been mentioned, how often we get so used to our relationship; we fail to see the blessings provided by the one who loves us.
Is it possible we may be guilty of taking all the blessings that God has provided us for granted?
Concerning our own body God provides us; eyes to see, ears to hear, a nose to smell, the sense of touch, a mind to think, legs and feet to carry us, arms to hug, and that’s just a few things to think about among so much more.
In our home life He provides a spouse to compliment us, children to brag about and emulate us, grandchildren to spoil, a roof over our head, food for our belly, transportation, a job to support us, and much more.
He has given us the beauty of flowers to behold and smell, trees for oxygen, water to quench our thirst, the moon for romance, the sun to keep us warm, a universe that doesn’t explode or implode, and this is only the beginning.
The greatest gift of all is God’s grace He freely gives. We all rebelled in the Garden of Eden. Along with Adam and Eve, we died spiritually. We are all born with what is called, “an old sin nature.” We deserve nothing but eternal death.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Have you ever been in a situation where someone you love was in serious trouble? Maybe you’re thinking of your child. Perhaps someone you love with all your heart was suffering physically. You have said, “If only I could go through that for them. If only I could take it away.”
But then there is God’s grace.
Even though we are born a sinful people; rebellious and unappreciative, God chose to take our place. Probably all of us at one time or another has desired to take the place of our loved one who is suffering. We can’t do that because we’re tainted with sin. God can, because only He is holy and without sin. Therefore, He did.
God came into this world, born of a virgin, truly God and truly man. On a Roman cross He bore all our sins. Then three days later He rose from the tomb where they buried Him.
Through this act of infinite love God has taken our judgment upon Himself. All He requires of us is to believe it and accept it. He says,
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) and,
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
That is God’s grace.
There is nothing we can do to save ourselves. We can’t take the hurt away. We can’t take the judgment away. But God can, when we put our trust in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Even though God’s grace is available to all, many continue to ignore all that He has done to provide us all we need. He has provided us everything we need materially, and spiritually, and it is all through His Son.
Going back to our first verse in Romans 1:20, if we take the blinders off and look around us the “individual qualities,” “eternal power,” and “divine nature” of God is self-evident.
Now we must ask, “Do I see now all that He has provided?”
Grant Phillips
Email: grantphillips@windstream.net
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html