Tuesday, May 15, 2012

The Exempt


The Exempt

One of the most frustrating things for me in the human experience is to see exemptions being given to some people who see themselves as above the rest of humanity. Many people see themselves as exempt from the laws that govern others.

The more exemptions given in a culture the weaker the social structure becomes. I have seen this fact in action and it is ugly.  Chaos is not far away when exemptions are the norm.

To see this process in action, just go to the nearest airport and watch how people begin to exempt themselves from everything from where they park, how long they stay in a no parking zone, how long they are willing to stay in line without looking for a way out and how frustrated they become being treated like everyone else. If an airport is too far away, just go to a poplular restaurant and pay attention.  For a once in a lifetime illustration visit the halls of any government just after a law is passed.

As soon as laws are passed in any country the exemption process kicks in for the people who think they are above the rest.  Slowly but surely what is law for all becomes exemption for some.  Exemptions sow the seeds of future revolution.

The good news is that God's Kingdom allows no exemptions.  It is a Kingdom of univeral love and grace but no exemptions.  The difference is amazing.  Just a taste of  love and grace instead of exemptions is liberating.

Recently I was once again very frustrated by the culture of exemptions that one sees where we live.  I was complaining loudly about the driving habits of the exempt and my wife Pam calmly said  "No one gets a pass on glorifying God." 

What a relief to my soul!   As a sinner, I don't want people punished. I just want to believe that the culture of exemptions will someday die and be replaced by a culture better than law with exemptions.

Romans 3:23 tells us we all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. 
             "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

There are no exemptions in this verse. All means all.  No matter what happens God will not play the exemption game with me or anyone else when it comes to our personal responsibility of living in such a way that we each continuously reveal God's glory which is continous love.  Since none of us lives  continuous love we all fall short of God's glory.

Once again, there are no exemptions allowed in God's Kingdom.

There has been, however, a universal payment for our failing to glorify God.  This payment is called grace in Christ and it is for all.  Seek no exemption in God's Kingdom.  Seek and find grace. Now, once you find it, stay there and forget exemptions!  Become a servant like Jesus.  He never sought an exemption on loving anyone!  Thank God!

When Pam reminded me that no one gets an exemption on glorifying God, I immediately calmed down and had hope.  Now, if I can just remember to live in God's grace in Christ as I am in traffic this week with so many seeking exemptions!


Bud McCord

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