DON’T STUMBLE - BE LED

READING: MATTHEW 5:43-48

Verse 45: “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

Why do people who behave in ungodly ways have good things happen? This is a frequently asked question that no one on earth can fully and completely answer. However, it does seem that at least a portion of goodness for the ungodly may result from some form of godly behavior they accomplish, even though their lives may be mostly ungodly. People can behave in a right way without understanding, or intending to respect, a principle of God to which they conform. This behavior can occur unwittingly because of a previously learned response which has become accepted or even habitual. It can be as simple as something that results from grandma’s training. Therefore, an unjust person can be rewarded from an action just because that behavior meets a godly principle or standard. This is constantly true in the physical order of creation just as stated in verse 45 above. I believe it also extends to the realm of spiritual order. Because of the Father’s generosity in His order, the unjust stumble into the blessings of God without knowing how blessed they really are. Good news is that it’s better for those who are His children! Because of divinely inspired relationships with Him, Christians don’t need to stumble, but are fully led by the Holy Spirit into every manner of blessing that the Lord prepares for those who love Him. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How do you think the evil and unjust would respond if their blessings from God’s order were to cease?

2. What is the main way you are led by the Holy Spirit?