23 October 2010
Psalm 30, 32; Ecclus. 15:9-20; Rev. 10:1-11; Luke 11:1-13

We are not predestined to sin. We participate in the fall of humankind and the propensity to sin is in us yet we retain the ability to choose the good but the problem is that we often determine good apart from God. Good to us can be things that are not good in the eyes of God. Gluttony is a sin but eating food is not. Greed is a sin but money itself is not evil. Pornography is a sin but the naked human form is not. God pronounced all of creation good but when we worship creation we have pronounced it more than good. It is important for us to keep all things in perspective and to appreciate them as God does. In that we will have true wisdom, knowing the difference between “good” and “the good.”

The Lord’s Prayer helps us with perspective. It begins with worship, moves to recognition that things can be better than they are and will be when His kingdom comes and His will is done on earth as it is in heaven before moving on to petition for this present life. It reminds us that this is not the better country of the promise of God, that is still to come. Jesus’ teaching tells us two things, the goodness of God and our relationship to Him. He is likened to a good parent but He is even better than a good parent. What He gives are good things. Do we believe that? If all we have comes from Him and all that happens is according to His will then they are somehow “good.” That is in keeping with Romans 8.28 but we have to ask Him to show us how it can be good sometimes as it seems bad to us.

This seventh scroll is announced by the voice of the thunders and yet John is told not to write down what was said but is instructed to eat the scroll as Ezekiel before him had been told to do. John’s experience was like that of Ezekiel, it was honey in the mouth but its aftertaste was bitter. The Word of God is indeed sweet to us until it convicts us of our own sin. John is to prophesy concerning the sin of humanity and in particular God’s people to whom He writes, in order to prepare them for the coming in judgment of the Lord, just as John the Baptist had done. We are called to that same ministry, the preparation of the bride for the wedding day which comes after the purgation of the judgment of God on all that He has created. We need to get our priorities straight and realize that in the end all that is not Him will be burned away.

Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.