For there is no respect of persons with God. Romans 2:11
Mother told Gary and Ellen to tidy up their rooms. And she offered an incentive: if they did a good job of tidying, she would give them a Crispy Crunch candy bar. Excited about the prospect of his favourite candy bar, Gary went immediately to his room and began to pick up the clothes he had left on the floor. Excited about the prospect of her favourite candy bar, Ellen dashed outside to tell her friend Jill about it. An hour later, Gary had picked up his clothes, made the bed, picked up several pieces of trash from the floor, and even gave his room a quick sweep with the broom. He reported to Mom. Mom went to check. At the same time, Ellen arrived back in the house because Jill’s mother had called her home. Pleased with Gary’s work, Mom handed him his reward. Eyeing the Crispy Crunch bar, Ellen demanded, ‘Where’s mine?’ Mom pointed to her bedroom door and replied, ‘It’s still messy in there.’ ‘No fair!’ complained Ellen. ‘Gary got a Crispy Crunch and I didn’t’. Was Mom being unfair by not giving Ellen a candy bar? Is God unfair by withholding spiritual blessings from some of His children?
Our text declares God’s impartiality. John 3:16 declares His love for the world, and that love is equal and uncondition for every person. When it comes to His children, God’s plan is the same for each of us, that we allow the Holy Spirit to fill our lives with worship and service to Him. Just as the Mom in our story had identical instructions for her children, so God has identical instructions for us, all clearly explained in His Word. God also gives us all the Holy Spirit so that we all have the same enabling power to do His will. But just as NASA does not expect its lawnmower repairman to design rocket engines, God does not expect identical service from us all, because we all have different abilities, aptitudes, opportunities, and personalities. So why do some Christians shine in their fulfillment of God’s purpose for them, and why do some others complain about God not giving them the same spiritual rewards as others?
God’s love is unconditional. But His rewards are not. Just as Mom was not obligated to give Jill a candy bar until she cleaned her room, so God is not obligated to reward His children for disobedience. God’s blessings are always based on obedience. We obeyed the Gospel, and were saved. We obeyed the Word of God, and were baptized, added to God’s Assembly, and continued steadfastly. All those who have not obeyed the Gospel message remain unsaved. All those who fail to obey the Word of God miss out on the fulfillment of being baptized, of being added to God’s Assembly, and of continuing steadfastly.
Obedience is as simple as allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and empower our lives. It is the path to God’s richest blessings, regardless of who we are. -Jim MacIntosh