When I was a bratty know-it-all kid, I scoffed at commandments like “remember the sabbath” and “thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” What kind of insecure, self-centered god would make rules like that? child-me thought.
Then I grew up, got a job, and was lectured on how working on weekends would “help the company grow,” and how that was a sacrifice all employees should be willing to make.
That’s when I learned that all of the commandments of the God who died for you are good for you.
Exactly! And consonant with the Divine Nature - because God is good.
I hope that now I’ve reached 45 my own bratty kid episodes might subside… I still have them, from time to time, as I discover new depths to my ignorance.
I used to say to my family the worlds problem was 'godlessness'. I soon came to discover after pondering on that subject that it was the 'appearance of godlessness' as in reality we all have gods and for many it is mammon!
I used to ask myself 'who's a sheep and who isn't' and I realised it was a broken question.
The question I've found rest in is 'who is your shepherd?'
Brilliant! So like Martin Luther's discussion of the first commandment in his Large Catechism.
I did not see that reference coming! Another one for the reading list…
A truly wonderful-filled essay, I have saved it to read again. Bless you, and God bless us to head this warning
Bless you too, and thank you.
When I was a bratty know-it-all kid, I scoffed at commandments like “remember the sabbath” and “thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” What kind of insecure, self-centered god would make rules like that? child-me thought.
Then I grew up, got a job, and was lectured on how working on weekends would “help the company grow,” and how that was a sacrifice all employees should be willing to make.
That’s when I learned that all of the commandments of the God who died for you are good for you.
Exactly! And consonant with the Divine Nature - because God is good.
I hope that now I’ve reached 45 my own bratty kid episodes might subside… I still have them, from time to time, as I discover new depths to my ignorance.
Wow. This is REALLY, REALLY well done.
I’m humbled!
Brilliant. Very timely.
I used to say to my family the worlds problem was 'godlessness'. I soon came to discover after pondering on that subject that it was the 'appearance of godlessness' as in reality we all have gods and for many it is mammon!
I used to ask myself 'who's a sheep and who isn't' and I realised it was a broken question.
The question I've found rest in is 'who is your shepherd?'
Excellent writing. Your point of modern humans creating their own gods is right on target.