I have never been a big union person. I was a member for about 3 years, but management the rest of my career. Now, there is nothing wrong with being a union member. It didn’t seem necessary for me, personally. The funny thing about unions is that they file grievances all the time and maintain that employers are not abiding by the contract. Then, they offer a counter proposal and the proposal isn’t abiding by the contract either.
The grievance is not usually about the fact that the employer didn’t abide by the contract. It is that the particular violation wasn’t pleasing to the union and its members. As long as it benefits them, no one needs to abide by the contract. In fact, if the employer doesn’t abide by the contract and its benefits, the union and members will just call it “past practice” and keep violating the contract.
Mankind is all about gray areas and compromise, as long as it benefits them personally. We expect others to abide by rules and contracts as long as it benefits us. If it doesn’t, then deviation is permissible and even preferred.
God is not about compromise or deviation. He does not deviate. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8. “I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” Malachi 3:6.
God’s word does not deviate or change. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8.
His plans do not change. “But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Psalm 33:11.
And we are not to change, deviate or compromise either.
We are to keep God’s commands. “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” John 15:10.
Because of God’s faithfulness, we can share our faith without wavering — without deviating or compromising.
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23.
And, because we know that nothing that we do for Him is in vain, we can stand strong in our faith. And work diligently for the Lord.
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58.
Other aspects of God’s unchanging character are His steadfast love, never-ending mercy, and His faithfulness.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” Lamentations 3:22-23.
God is abiding by the contract. He promised that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. And that is what He still does, asking us to abide by the contract too.
Because He is perfect, He asks us to strive for perfection as well.
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Ephesians 5:1-2.
And, when we do, He is glorified and those around us who don’t know Him are drawn to Him. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16.
Although God asks us to strive for perfection, He knew that we would falter. And because He is a loving, faithful Father, He will forgive us and restore us. His word promises. “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,” Acts 3:19.
God is loving, merciful, and unchanging. God’s word is filled with His promises and it is unchanging. In God’s word, we read the gospel in which God promises to forgive us when we turn from our sin (repent) and commit to and follow Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. The gospel is God’s contract with us and He will forever be abiding by that contract!
Because of God’s faithfulness, love, and the way that He keeps His promises, we can trust Him. We know that He is abiding by the contract that He has with mankind. And we know that He will be glorified and that others will be rescued from the penalty of their sin when we tell them about what He has done for us. And when we tell them what He wants to do for them.
So, are we abiding by the contract? Are we living out our faith? Have we died to ourselves and are we living for Christ? “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20. There is a hurting, dying world out there. And it is filled with people who need Jesus. Will they see Him in us?
Father, we praise and thank you for being so trustworthy. We praise and thank you that you never change, nor does your word. Father, thank you for abiding by the contract. Thank you for being patient. Thank you for waiting until the very last person who would submit to you does. Help us to glorify you, Father. Help us to die to self and live for you! Be glorified in us, Father. We pray this in your precious and holy name, Jesus.
Do you have a hard time trusting people? Have you been hurt and lied to so much that you always have your guard up? God is trustworthy and He wants a relationship with you. All He asks is that you repent of your sins and seek Him with your whole heart. There is a prayer of repentance outlined on our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/). Please pray the prayer that is outlined there (or one similar). Once you have, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com and let me know. I would love to be in prayer with and for you.
Luv Ya!
