While reading through the accounts of the Kings of Israel and Judah in Kings and Chronicles, it is interesting to note the lable of each. Few of the men leading God's very people were evene called "good." Beyond that, those labelled "good" earned mention of at least something they did wrong during their reign. Of course, no man, whether King of Israel or not, is perfect, but it is sad to see how many did not remove the idols. This sin, central to Israel's downfall, was perpetuated or allowed by all leaders after David, save one. Josiah was the only king to remove all the high places (2 Kings 23:24)
Still, some kings who did not abolish all idol worship were labelled "good." These kings, perhaps overlooking certain idols, succumbing to peer/political pressure, incomplete in their theology, or ignorant of the depth and breadth of idol worship, did not completely stand up for the God they served. Yet they were called "good."
Similarly, in our modern sphere, we have Christians doing good but not all the way. I may fall into that category, though it is certainly not my aim. Still, it means that God renders His consideration "good" liberally. It certainly does not reflect the inherent worth of the recipient, but an understanding that good is being done in some degree through the sinner. Of all the kings of Israel/Judah, only one did everything (in one department) right, and the percentage of Christians who are doing exceptionally well is likely to be a similarly low digit. We who overlook areas of sin, who succumb to peer pressure or our own desires, incomplete in our theoology, or are not yet aware of the depth of our depravity, are still "good" because our God makes us so. This should not rationalize our lack of sanctification or encourage complacency, but let us look at the work God is doing and call it "good."
No comments:
Post a Comment