I Told You So

12  let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach  James 1:5

Without Reproach – Have you ever needed a favor but you knew that if you asked you would get a lecture about life?  Have you ever had to endure the recriminations or rebuke of another when you were inadequate?  Have you been granted benevolence at the cost of “I told you so” smirks?  I’ve got some good news for you.  God gives without a lecture.

Me oneidizontos, says James.  It’s a verb.  “Not reproaching.”  God does not act toward us with disparaging or dishonoring chastisement when we come to Him for help.  In fact, He never rails against us.  He never gives with subtle abuse – no matter how many times we come back and back and back.  You may fail one thousand times, each time calling on the name of the Lord for help in your distress.  He will never say, “When are you going to learn?”  Jesus validated this fact when he answered Peter question, “How many times must I forgive?”  Over and over and over, that’s God’s way.  He never tires of our repentant-hearted entreaties.  He never holds back while we squirm, just to teach us a lesson.  He never upbraids before He forgives.  He never rolls His eyes before He provides. 

I need to know this – deep down in my heart.  There are plenty of times when I think I should be lectured.  There are plenty of times when I just can’t imagine how God can put up with me.  There are plenty of times when it just seems that my last failure would convince Him that I’m not worth the trouble.  But all of that is my side of the picture.  That’s how I would behave.  I am just like Peter.  I want a limit for my patience.  God has to remind me (often, it seems) that He is not like me.  And it’s a good thing He isn’t.  When I would have long ago given up on this disobedient and struggling person called me, God simply won’t let go.  So, I can come back to Him one more time, asking for wisdom – for the knowledge needed to develop that right relationship with Him – and He will give it, without a lecture or a sigh or a shrug of the shoulders.  Now there is nothing to keep me from coming, except my own self-inflicted guilt.

 Oh, by the way, that self-inflicted guilt is just another version of the sin of pride.  It shouts, “I am different.  I am special.  I am too far gone for God to care.”  It’s pride upside-down, and just as deadly.  Let it go.  God is not waiting for you with a paddle in His hand.