Everything in existence, whether created, planted, hatched, or born, came into existence under another’s authority. “Man” is the crowning achievement in God’s masterpiece. God created man in His own image. God gave man what no other creature possesses: free will. Inevitably, man lost sight of the fact that he was created and that he should submit himself totally to God’s authority. Man would do well to understand that God is the ultimate authority, with or without man's submission.
No man goes without being confronted, in some way, by his insufficiency. At this point comes the realization that he needs help. Following the realization of the err of his ways and personal conviction, the shameful and guilt-ridden prodigal returns home. Upon arrival, the prodigal’s father, who has watched for him, greets his lost son with open arms and a celebration.
Unfortunately, not all are so receptive. More often than not, the overwhelming shame and guilt prevent us from returning home to a loving, forgiving father. Many more reject the invitation to come home on the notion that God never did anything for them. Too many others simply have an authority complex and think that God has too many “Thou shalt nots”.
The human species is the only living creature that can think, reason, choose, and understand. My thinking is that man’s reasoning ability today is terribly flawed as it chooses to rely more on his own understanding rather than rely on God’s authority. In choosing this path, we make life far more difficult than ever it should be, and exceedingly more difficult than God intended for it to be.
When I was in the military, I worked in an electronics shop that required continual support to operate efficiently. Therefore, there were three separate departments that we paid extra attention to maintaining good relationships:
1. The galley (food service). No one wants anything in their food that doesn’t belong.
2. Supply (parts warehouse) Most repairs were time-sensitive so, if the parts orders get held up, equipment does not get repaired in a timely manner.
3. Maintenance (kept the shops a/c blowing low snow) Working in the dark is not an option, and condensation tends to cause problems for equipment under repair.
Allow me to put this into a spiritual perspective. There are reasons for maintaining a good relationship with our creator and the following are some examples:
Man does not have to apply any thought to breathing to stay alive.
Man does not have to keep his own heart beating so blood can carry oxygen to the brain.
Man does not have any control over the brain’s electrical impulses that send signals to the rest of the body for each part to function.
God is the one in control of all of this and so much more and quite frankly, He requires none of our assistance in maintaining all of it. Therefore, it makes sense that we do whatever is necessary to maintain a good relationship with
Him. Man’s life is in God’s hands. Therefore, it makes sense that following His commands would be in the best interest of man. Is that too much to ask?
There are only two commandments that were given to us. They were given to us by the creator of all things, including man. These commandments were handed to us by God, Himself. The very God who gives us life and takes it away from us.
37 “ ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’
38 “This is the great and foremost commandment.
39 “The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’
For 29 years of my life, I was the guy who did the opposite of everything I was told. Tell me to do anything and I go in the other direction. Tell me not to do something and I will dive in, headfirst. But, when God made His powerful introduction and I experienced His all-consuming love, I got in step, so-to-speak. My life was so peaceful, I could hardly stand it. Sure, the world was and still is noisy and chaotic. In the midst of it all, I have peace as I have never known.
This love is rooted in my relationship with God. There is no woman, no drug, no alcoholic beverage, that ever produced this peace. Love is the only thing that brings peace, and it can't be found in any human being unless that human being has surrendered their life to Christ. No human being can give what he does not have. God is love and apart from Him; true love is non-existent. If anyone loves God, that person is free to love and that unconditionally.
When you sleep at night, you don't pay attention to anything like breathing, keeping your heart beating, clearing your mind for a fresh start when you awake, and if you wake up, it is because God granted you that. Unless you can do that yourself, turn to God, accept His love, and love Him as He commanded. Is that too much to ask?
I am sure you do not like people lying to you, or stealing from you, or gossiping about you. I say this with a degree of certainty because I don't know one person who appreciates any of this. This means one of two things, you are a hypocrite, or you are in love with God. How do you respond to such things? If you have an intimate relationship with God, then you do not engage in such activities. Why? Because these go against God, against Love. If anyone loves himself, one would do well to love God, then and only then can one love anyone else as loving one's self. Is that too much to ask?
Is it too Much to Ask?
Everything in existence, whether created, planted, hatched, or born, came into existence under another’s authority. “Man” is the crowning achievement in God’s masterpiece. God created man in His own image. God gave man what no other creature possesses: free will. Inevitably, man lost sight of the fact that he was created and that he should submit himself totally to God’s authority. Man would do well to understand that God is the ultimate authority, with or without man's submission.
No man goes without being confronted, in some way, by his insufficiency. At this point comes the realization that he needs help. Following the realization of the err of his ways and personal conviction, the shameful and guilt-ridden prodigal returns home. Upon arrival, the prodigal’s father, who has watched for him, greets his lost son with open arms and a celebration.
Unfortunately, not all are so receptive. More often than not, the overwhelming shame and guilt prevent us from returning home to a loving, forgiving father. Many more reject the invitation to come home on the notion that God never did anything for them. Too many others simply have an authority complex and think that God has too many “Thou shalt nots”.
The human species is the only living creature that can think, reason, choose, and understand. My thinking is that man’s reasoning ability today is terribly flawed as it chooses to rely more on his own understanding rather than rely on God’s authority. In choosing this path, we make life far more difficult than ever it should be, and exceedingly more difficult than God intended for it to be.
When I was in the military, I worked in an electronics shop that required continual support to operate efficiently. Therefore, there were three separate departments that we paid extra attention to maintaining good relationships:
1. The galley (food service). No one wants anything in their food that doesn’t belong.
2. Supply (parts warehouse) Most repairs were time-sensitive so, if the parts orders get held up, equipment does not get repaired in a timely manner.
3. Maintenance (kept the shops a/c blowing low snow) Working in the dark is not an option, and condensation tends to cause problems for equipment under repair.
Allow me to put this into a spiritual perspective. There are reasons for maintaining a good relationship with our creator and the following are some examples:
Man does not have to apply any thought to breathing to stay alive.
Man does not have to keep his own heart beating so blood can carry oxygen to the brain.
Man does not have any control over the brain’s electrical impulses that send signals to the rest of the body for each part to function.
God is the one in control of all of this and so much more and quite frankly, He requires none of our assistance in maintaining all of it. Therefore, it makes sense that we do whatever is necessary to maintain a good relationship with
Him. Man’s life is in God’s hands. Therefore, it makes sense that following His commands would be in the best interest of man. Is that too much to ask?
There are only two commandments that were given to us. They were given to us by the creator of all things, including man. These commandments were handed to us by God, Himself. The very God who gives us life and takes it away from us.
Matthew 22:37–39 (NASB95)
37 “ ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’
38 “This is the great and foremost commandment.
39 “The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’
For 29 years of my life, I was the guy who did the opposite of everything I was told. Tell me to do anything and I go in the other direction. Tell me not to do something and I will dive in, headfirst. But, when God made His powerful introduction and I experienced His all-consuming love, I got in step, so-to-speak. My life was so peaceful, I could hardly stand it. Sure, the world was and still is noisy and chaotic. In the midst of it all, I have peace as I have never known.
This love is rooted in my relationship with God. There is no woman, no drug, no alcoholic beverage, that ever produced this peace. Love is the only thing that brings peace, and it can't be found in any human being unless that human being has surrendered their life to Christ. No human being can give what he does not have. God is love and apart from Him; true love is non-existent. If anyone loves God, that person is free to love and that unconditionally.
When you sleep at night, you don't pay attention to anything like breathing, keeping your heart beating, clearing your mind for a fresh start when you awake, and if you wake up, it is because God granted you that. Unless you can do that yourself, turn to God, accept His love, and love Him as He commanded. Is that too much to ask?
I am sure you do not like people lying to you, or stealing from you, or gossiping about you. I say this with a degree of certainty because I don't know one person who appreciates any of this. This means one of two things, you are a hypocrite, or you are in love with God. How do you respond to such things? If you have an intimate relationship with God, then you do not engage in such activities. Why? Because these go against God, against Love. If anyone loves himself, one would do well to love God, then and only then can one love anyone else as loving one's self. Is that too much to ask?