Believe it or not, a person can be very close to the Cross and miss out on everything. “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’”
In the first part of his letter to the Romans, Paul gives the sobering truth about the condition of man. He quoted part of this passage from Psalm 36. “An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.”
“I will put the fear of me in their hearts so they will not turn away from me.” Another translation of this verse from Jeremiah reads: “I will inspire them to fear me, so they will never turn away from me.” How does God do this? In the early days of the Church a husband and wife dropped dead after lying about their degree of generosity. Here was the predictable result: “Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.” While God may not strike down the dishonest of a congregation today, he still pierces hearts.
I was in Mexico once and went into a little Catholic church to pray, but I’m afraid I did more judging than praying. Since God not only hears our prayers, but reads our hearts, he knew my need. That night, while reading the first few chapters of Romans, his sword cut deep: “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on the truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?”
We can learn much from the thief on the cross who was humble and honest. “I know I’m guilty. I deserve any punishment I receive. But, Lord, will you have mercy on me? Will you remember me when you enter your kingdom?” The suffering Savior’s answer reveals the great desire of God. “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” As the brazen criminal taunted Jesus, he was only moments away from the fear of the Lord. At death, every atheist, pagan, and unbeliever instantly fears God. “‘As surely as I live’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’” But God longs for something else; his desire is fellowship.
Read I John this week. The apostle proclaims Jesus so there can be fellowship… with God and with one another. Walk in the light. Walk in truth. Walk in love. Walk in joy. “This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” And Jesus walked in fellowship with his Father. Another section of Psalm 36 declares his praise:
“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O Lord, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.” Psalm 36:5-10