Sorry for any vaigness.
I hear a lot of christians saying "God understands why I don't tithe, forgive, stop gossiping, etc., etc., etc.."
I use to work for a Christian orginization and one time during the "devo's" the leader read the part where Paul wrote "rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice". Then he looked up and said "oh come on, nobody does this". My thought was "why don't we do it"? Is is disobedience to not do what we are told to do?
I know that we have varied personalities, but if the Lord tells us to rejoice are we being disobedient to refuse to do it? Some people shout and scream at ball games but at religious events refuse to shout for God. And judge others because they are doing it.
If the Lord tell us it's sin to gossip, is it OK to do it anyway under the guise of wanting to warn people? Or prayer request where we reveal things about other people that would hurt them if they found out?
I know that being human, we fall short, without meaning to. . .but what about when it's deliberate? Isn't there scripture that talks about the one who goes on deliberately sinning? What can one expect to reap from sowing disobedience? What can one expect to reap from sowing obedience?
One time a co-worker refused to say something in my presense because "you're a christian and don't condone gossip", and another co-worker who claimed being a christian said, "well I'm a christian and don't condone it either but I like to listen to it anyway."
Personally, I don't think it's ever OK to disobey God. Do I fall short of that ideal? Yes, but God corrects me and I repent and go on in my walk with God, being careful to not fall in that area again. But from some I hear from alot of christians (new and older)the attitude, "oh God understands", and they continue to go on the way they are.
So, I was just wondering what others think. Is God dealing with you in the areas that you know you are falling short? Or, do you think it does not matter?
or whatever.
