Have you considered the number of individuals living outside the established laws, breaching ethical boundaries, and defying existing morals? In fact, a growing majority of people have mentally developed their own standards of behavior or beliefs concerning what is and is not acceptable for them to do. It is not only the rebels who refuse to adhere to societal laws. Many have a hidden agenda–based on a skillfully and strategic plan to do as they please. They belong to the army of those who possess a secret resistance to rules and regulations–who consider themselves above the law.
Employers have policies and procedures to which the employee agrees to adhere to the rules. However, a growing number are fired due to misconduct or violation of company policy. Every country has existing civil and criminal laws with penalties. Yet, prisons are overflowing. In the United States, over 4,000 juvenile facilities range from detention centers and farms to secure, military-style boot camps to group homes where youth are incarcerated. prisonpolicy.org.
Surprisingly, the area of most significant civil disobedience is traffic violations, which are a big business. “Not including parking tickets, we can estimate that somewhere between 25 and 50 million traffic tickets are issued each year. Assuming an average ticket cost of $150.00, the total up front profit from tickets ranges from 3.75 to 7.5 billion dollars.” motorist.org
How did we get into this predicament? It is inherent [human nature] to possess the desire to overstep boundaries. Disobedience is delightful! The opportunity to go astray just once may produce anxiety but also causes a thrill of excitement. We can never say that all individuals act on their inclinations. Even so, it takes the right situation to reveal our real character. When the law-abiding person reaches the point of no return and commits a crime, we ask, “What happened?” Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23. They finally acted on the desire of their hearts that appeared totally out of character for them. Most would never participate in extreme activities but readily create and live in a gray area of compromise, or seek loopholes to continue their pattern of secret counterproductive behaviors.
Even for those who serve God, we are influenced by our environment. Sarai created the diabolical plan to give Hagar, her maid, to become Abram’s second wife to fulfill God’s promise of a male heir. Abram, a devout man of God, agreed to the plot. How did this happen? Sarai planted the seed of doubt that God had forgotten His promise. Although Abram knew that God made a covenant with him, they were surrounded by people who practiced many pagan customs, including polygamy. Compromising God’s spiritual boundaries is much easier than we think. But pushing the limits has its consequences. “You can do what you like but not for as long as you like.”
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:7-9
Reaching Our Fullest Potential
Who doesn’t desire to live their best life? The issue with pursuing human-made strategies is that they have a breaking point, a weak link, and the possibility of failure. Innovative ideas constantly replace existing business operations and the current way of doing things. Advancements in Technology are a super-power within itself. Still, we are powerless over the many events that happen on the planet Earth. Climate change, the ability of pathogenic organisms to mutate and gain invincible strength, feats of nature [earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.], and death reveal that humanity is powerless where Divine intervention is required.
How did we arrive to the conclusion that we can live according to our whims and desires? We have lost our Reverence and Respect for God. Secretly, and maybe unintentionally, we perceive ourselves as equal to God. No, we would never verbalize those words. But our actions indicate that we do not require a Heavenly Father. We pursue our visions and dreams as if we are fully capable of reaching our fullest potential. Take a moment to reflect on this promise:
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:1-3
As heinous as Sarai’s plot sounds, many of us are living outside of God’s commandments, spiritual laws and boundaries. Sadly, we are not concerned or interested in God’s promises. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. We honor our achievements over God’s promises. If someone credible approached us with a doable plan to improve our quality of life and our finances, we would readily agree to participate. History reveals that angels nor humans can compete with God. His promises are “Yes, and Amen!”
Jesus paid a great price for humanity that we may achieve our fullest potential through Him! I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hell and of Death. Revelation 1:8.
It is with humility that we acknowledge the Omnipotence of a great and powerful God who lovingly extends unmerited grace and new mercies to us each day. Lest we forget, David reminds us: What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. Psalm 8:4-5
Ask yourself:
-
- Am I where God would have me to be?
- Am I fully serving my Lord, Jesus Christ?
- Am I pleasing myself, and failing to please God?
- Am I concerned about bringing honor to His holy name?
We serve a merciful God who always accepts our prayers of repentance. Even before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24. God is waiting to perform a great work in us. We must acquiesce to His supernatural ability to bring His perfect plans into fruition. Only God can set in motion the miracles we need to reach our fullest potential in this life on earth. And if that wasn’t enough, our Creator has promised us a reward of immortality in a perfect and sinless New Heaven and New Earth. Amen.
Bible Readings: Isaiah 43 and Revelation 1
Prayer: God, we confess that we have excluded you from our lives. We pray for forgiveness and ask that you reveal your plans to establish us according to your will. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. © 2021 Sonya Johnson, Faithful Fishers Ministry
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 