I had an interesting exchange with a student this morning. Grades are due tomorrow and he failed to turn in a major paper. He said, “Since you allowed me to turn in a late paper at midterm I knew I could ask you again.” So, let me see if I can translate. “Since you gave in once, you will give in again.” Or “Since you gave in once, I know you are a man of mercy.” Or “You gave once, therefore, you owe me another.” Or “Since you didn’t mean it the first time, you don’t mean it now.” Or “You are so easy!” Or “I knew I didn’t have to have it in on time.”
In my mind I see someone knocking on the door of Noah’s ark. It has started to rain and a man says, “You’re a good man. Open the door.” Isn’t there a verse in Revelation 22 that goes, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still”? It is the end of the road. The merciful God of love has finally said, “No more.” I can see someone saying, “But God, you always forgave me in the past. How about just one more time?” In Matthew 7 Jesus said, “Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'”
This is not easy. Jesus also said, “If we being human know how to give good gifts unto our children, how much more does our heavenly Father know how to give good gifts.” Should I or should I not? That is the question.
Written by Roger Bothwell on December 23, 2009
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574