PODCAST
Kingdom Laws
July 29th, 2011
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
“Nose down to live, nose up to die.” After 30 years, the instructor’s voice echoes in my head. Despite the desire to pull the aircraft nose up, when the airplane is low and slow, you must lower the nose to gain airspeed and lift.
Laws in God’s kingdom often seem contradictory. “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matt. 6:12). “Give, and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38a). “‘Repent and be baptized, . . . in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 2:38). Pray in secret and your Father will reward you openly (see Matt. 6:6).
God’s laws are counterintuitive, the opposite of what we expect. We want to prove we are right. When faced with life’s unexpected problems the right direction is down, to the place of prayer. In humbly following God’s directions, “He will keep you strong to the end . . . God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful” (1 Cor. 1:8a-9).
