Special People

Read Romans 2:4 - 5
 
I live in Florida so I am often stuck in traffic; whether I am in the school parking lot dropping off my kids or on the highways driving to and from work.  It is annoying.  Traffic delays bring out the worst in people.  I have observed that when the flow of traffic stops people start making new rules for driving.  Some start making U-turns in weird places or they try and pass the long line of cars on the shoulder of the road or force their way into a spot a little closer down the line.  I have a name for these people; they are the “special people”.  I call them this because their actions give the vibe that they think they are more important than others because they ignore the traffic rules so they can get further ahead of everyone else.  It doesn’t matter that it inconveniences everyone because they are special.
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I think Christians can be guilty of this as well.  Sometimes people think that since they are a child of they have special privileges.  They “presume” that the rules don’t apply to them.  They have an attitude of, “Yeah I know it’s a sin but I am forgiven and God won’t judge me for it?”  Many people who claim Christ as Lord end up taking His grace for granted.  The Israelites did.  So why wouldn’t we? 

We know God is gracious, kind, loving and forgiving.  Sometimes we take this for granted and instead of it leading us to the repentance (Which is what it is intended to do), it leads to giving us an excuse to sin.  Romans 2:4 says, “… God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.” God doesn’t show kindness so you have an excuse to sin.  No, his kindness is intended to be an avenue that leads you to the pathways of repentance.  When you sin God does not dismissively pass over your sin because you are a believer.  The rules sill apply. 

You are a beloved child of God.  He loves you more than you can imagine.  He has given you the privilege to be called His son or daughter.  He has NOT given you special privileges so the rules no longer apply to you.  This attitude angered Jesus often.  The religious leaders of his time felt they were above the rules and that they didn’t apply to them.  Jesus pointed out their hypocrisy and corrected them.

Let us not take God’s kindness for granted.  His kindness is not intended to take advantage of, instead it is intended to draw us near to him.  So let's use our energy drawing close to him.