God Is NOT Safe

God is not safe. Someone says, "uh... what"? Most of you are likely familiar with C.S. Lewis' classic "Chronicles of Narnia" series. Lewis' first installment in the 7 book series was The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe. It came to the big screen in December of 2005 and was a huge success. As a fan of C.S. Lewis and his Chronicles of Narnia tales, I thought the movie was very good and remained faithful to the books central theme of redemption. In the book a Lion by the name of Aslan is the Creator and Lord over the world of Narnia. However, his kingdom has been tainted by Evil, which entered the realm of Narnia at the very dawn of its creation (that story is told in Lewis' pre-quel installment The Magician's Nephew). 4 young humans discover a magic wardrobe, the doors of which lead to the fantastical world of Narnia where there are talking creatures and mythical beings such as fawns, ferries and the like. There is also an evil Queen who presides over the cursed winter land of Narnia. "Always winter and never Christmas" in Narnia, the creatures long for deliverance from the spell and reign of the Evil Queen. Enter Aslan, the creator-King of Narnia, and Lord of the Lone Islands, who comes to rescue and restore Narnia. Getting to the point, the movie leaves out one of the most important scenes in the book. The children are reclining at the table of Mr. and Mrs. Beaver (yes, they are beavers), and are learning about Narnia, the spell its under and about Aslan - the rightful King of Narnia. They are discussing how they might rescue their friend Mr. Tumnus (one of those mythical creatures... a fawn... half man and half... uh... goat, I think). Here is the important conversation that is omitted in the movie:

Mr. Beaver: "It's no good son of Adam, no good your trying of all people, but now that Aslan is on the move..."

Lucy: "Oh yes, tell us about Aslan."Susan: "Who is Aslan?"

Mr. Beaver: "Aslan? Why don't you know? He... He's the King! He's the Lord of the whole wood [Tom's note: forest]! The word has reached us that He's come back! He's in Narnia at this moment. He'll settle the White queen alright. Now it is He, not you, that'll save Mr. Tumnus [their friend, a fawn, who is being held captive for giving aid and comfort to the enemy - the 4 children]."

Edmund: "Won't she turn him into stone too?"

Mr. Beaver: "Lord love ya' son of Adam! What a simple thing to say! Turn HIM into stone? If she can stand on her own two feet and look him in the face it'll be the most she can do - and more than I expect of her. No, no, He'll put all to rights, He will. You'll understand when you see Him!"

Susan: "But, shall we see Him?"

Mr. Beaver: "Why, daughter of Eve, that's what I've brought you here for! I'm to lead you where you shall meet Him."

Lucy: "Is He, Is He a man?"Mr. Beaver: "Aslan, a man? (laugh) Certainly not. I tell you He's the King of the wood and the Son of the Great Emperor beyond the sea! Don't you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a Lion, The Lion, The Great Lion!"

Susan: "Oh, a lion? Is he, is he quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion."

Mrs. Beaver: "That you will dearie, make no mistake. If there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly."

Lucy: "Then He isn't safe?"

Mr. Beaver: "Safe? Don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells ya? Who said anything about safe? Course He isn't safe, but, He is good. He's the King I tell ya!"

We sometimes think of God as being so much like us, that we lose our fear of Him. In fact, if we are not careful, we are more likely to fear the great leaders of the world than we are the Lord God omnipotent who reigns, not only over world leaders, but over EVERYTHING! There is a tendency within us to fashion the Lord God into some sort of tame thing. Not surprisingly, we concoct notions about God that ignore His sovereignty, His Holiness, His Majesty, His Justice, and His Judgment. Certainly it is comfortable to think of God being an "all loving God.” But, He is so much more than that. He is the Lord over a Universe whose subjects have rejected and rebelled against His Righteous, Holy, Just, and All Loving rule. Because many of these attributes of God are often overlooked, we wrongly conclude that He is not to be feared and in fact is "quite safe." But, as Mr. Beaver said, "Safe, safe, who said anything about safe!"

God is not safe. Hebrews says that "It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God." We've lost sight of the God who makes the mountains tremble at His presence and who makes prophets unravel before the full presence of His glory (Isaiah 6).

Bear with me for a moment. Too many Christians, me included, tend toward a low view of God. We think, "God understands that I'm going to make mistakes. I've made mistakes before and He has been so merciful toward me and has restored me over and over." The dangerous temptation here is to presume upon God's grace and mercy, and assume that He is going to restore me just as easily this time as He did the last. But, we are not promised such a thing in scripture. When we determine that we are going to sin in spite of the gracious threatenings and warnings from God's own mouth, and assume that God will forgive us and restore us when we've enjoyed our momentary pleasure, we tread on dangerous ground. Because we understand that God is rich in mercy, and because in the past we've repented, confessed our sin and found restoration with God, we assume that this time around will be no different. Hurling ourselves over the precipice, we plunge into our sin and its certain painful consequences. Dangerous decision! When we do this, we reveal the fact that we do not have a healthy fear of this "un-tame" God and the fearful consequences of our sin.

I know someone who at this moment has taken the plunge and is experiencing the painful result. This person is seeking repentance and cannot find it, seeking restoration, but it eludes. This person wants to have a "broken and contrite heart" as David had, but cannot muster it up. How dangerous is presumption! How dreadful a place to be. When we make similar decisions - and who among us hasn't - we do so, while forgetting the seriousness of sin. There are some very fearful passages in Scripture that warn believers about the consequences of sin. I Cor 11 tells us of those who had experienced sickness and even death because of their irreverence and sinfulness in the sharing of the Lord's Supper (communion). In Acts 5 we witness Ananias and Sapphira, who died at the feet of the Apostles upon perpetuating their lie before God. In I John 5 we read that there is a sin that leads to death. John says we are not even to pray for one who is involved in such sin. Not that all sickness, and all death experienced by Christians comes as a result or our sin, for all we need to do is remind ourselves of the story of righteous Job. But, sometimes sickness and even death come because of our sin. As I John 5:16 says:

16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.

I do not presume to understand fully what the Spirit means by this verse. But, one thing is sure, sin is a very serious thing. Here are some other scriptures which should serve as “DETOUR” signs from the Lord:

The Lord will judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Heb 10:30-31.

and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire. Heb 12:28-29

14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. I Peter 1:14-19

11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. I Peter 2:11.

5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion... 18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. 1 Timothy 1:5-6,18-20

7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption... Galatians 6:7-8

The scriptures above serve as gracious warnings from God. It is as if He is standing in front of us, placing Himself between us and the precipice, pointing us away from the deceptive path that leads to momentary fleeting pleasure, seemingly unending anguish, confusion, a seared conscience, many pangs and possibly even death. He stands there with outstretched arms imploring us toward the good path that leads to spiritual growth, real peace, real joy, lasting pleasure and eternal life.

If you are one who is standing on the edge of the precipice, gazing at Bathsheba (read the account of David's adulterous affair with Bathsheba in II Samuel 11-12), peering over the ledge into what looks like pleasure, but in fact is dangerously steep and jagged terrain, let these verses pierce your heart and cause you to move back from the treacherous ledge! Remember, "You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

If you are one who has already plunged down the steep embankment of momentary pleasure, you may be like the person who is seeking restoration and repentance and yet it eludes you. The promise of the Lord is sure, "A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise" (read of David's repentance in Psalm 51). Look intently at the cross and see your Savior drinking the full cup of the wrath of God poured out on His sinless Son because of your sin... and then do you dare to embrace that which caused your Savior such great pain? No? Then submit yourself to Him, call on the "multitude of [His] tender mercies", beat your breast and cry for mercy! You say, "But, Tom, how can I be sure that He will grant my cry for mercy when I've been so wicked, so presumptuous, and when I've spurned the love and sacrifice of My Lord and Savior, and when I have hurt the very people that love me most?" Well, let me remind you, that while it is true that God Is Not Safe, it is also true that God Is Good! And because you belong to Him, and are sincerely crying out for mercy and not justice, He is an "all-Loving God" to you. And just like He forgave David, just like He forgave the immoral woman who washed His feet with her tears, just like he forgave the adulterous Samaritan woman who met him at the well, and just like He forgave the Apostle Peter who denied Him 3 times, in the same way He will forgive you!
If a repentant heart eludes you, ask Him to produce repentance in you... not because you deserve it... but because of the multitude of His tender mercies. And see if He won't rush to you and embrace you - creating in you a contrite heart, creating in you a clean heart, and cleansing you from all unrighteousness... because...



He Is Good!

May we all have a healthy fear of God and or our own vulnerability to temptation and may we take to heart these words spoken by the Lord Jesus to sorrowful, weary disciples on the eve of His crucifixion:

"Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matt 26:41

His by grace,

Tom