God’s Good Structures - Martin Wiles

Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! Genesis 1:31 NLT

I grew up in a family where Dad beat structures regularly.

Theaters were places where curse words were said or sexual scenes were displayed. They must be avoided. Not until much later in life did he learn to appreciate the art structure. Politics was enmeshed by crooked individuals who were always looking out for special interest groups—many of whom disagreed with his beliefs. Perhaps he forgot government was established by God. Playing cards and dancing were forbidden. I suppose he overlooked the scripture where David danced before the Lord. Sunday was the Sabbath and sacred. Mom could cook, but no buying groceries, working in the yard, or washing clothes. I guess he didn’t see the place where Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man.

When God looked over the structure of his original creation, he pronounced it good. This would have to include everything that would eventually develop from the original structure: government, the arts, competitive events, theater, technology, electronic games, education.

Dad tended to throw out the baby with the bathwater rather than just letting the dirty water out so clean water could be put in. He wasn’t the only Christian who is guilty of polarization—the either-or scenario. If I coach a softball team that is suffering from one player’s bad attitude, I don’t dissolve the team. I work on its direction by working on the one player. If the government leaders of my particular country, state, or town are corrupt, I don’t advocate the dissolution of the government. I work to change the present one. If my child’s school is getting poor reviews, I shouldn’t bash education. I should work to better it. And if one police officer acts as he shouldn’t, I don’t propose dissolving all police departments.

Most structures that have developed out of God’s original structure are inherently good. Sin is the problem and the reason structures head in the wrong direction. 

Rather than trying to do away with or completely re-create what God has already created, we should work to enhance his structures by being salt and light in our world.

What can you do to influence the direction of the structures sin has damaged?

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your good creation. Show us how we can work to purify what sin has tainted.

Tweetable: What structures are you bashing and why? 

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Justice Will Prevail - Martin Wiles

For the Lord loves justice. Psalms 37:28 NLT

Although it only does so sporadically now, justice will one day reign supremely.

Examples of injustices abound. Justice is infringed upon when someone steals. Perhaps they are poor or are just too lazy to work for it. Either way, they take what belongs to someone else.

Justice hollers every time a woman or girl is raped. Child abuse flourishes, and justice is hampered in each case. Little ones who can’t fend off the fiends who do to them what never should be done. Spousal abuse blooms also. Whether physical or emotional or both, the abuse damages the psyche of the one who endures it, and once again justice is impinged upon.

When someone else gets the promotion I deserve, justice is obstructed. Especially if they got the promotion because they are the boss’s favorite or because of some quota that needs to be met. And when one gender makes less for doing the same job, justice is once again impeded.

Justice also takes a beating when politicians fail to keep the promises to the constituents who elected them.

The psalmist says God loves justice, but God certainly has a comical way of showing it. While love is the most common trait heard when referring to God, just might be a more appropriate characteristic when referring to His nature.

God loves justice, but free will explains why it’s not observed more consistently. God didn’t create robots in the beginning. Just as He gave angels the free will to rebel against Him (Lucifer being a case in point), so He also gave the same to humans. Free will allows us to infringe upon the justice He loves. But just because I don’t see justice displayed consistently and universally doesn’t mean God doesn’t desire for it to be. Or that He is powerless to make it happen.

God allows injustices in His master plan now, but one day justice will prevail universally and consistently. Sin will have no place on the new earth or in heaven. Satan—and all who represent his interests--will be eternally lost.

In the meantime, it is my responsibility to help justice spread. I can do this by setting an example of it through my daily actions. I can also help spread it by supporting and electing those who will represent it in political office.

Don’t get discouraged. God is in control, and justice will reign.

Tweetable: Pure justice will reign one day. 

Prayer: Father, we pray and work for the justice You want to prevail over the injustices we presently see.

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