One act or action can do so much more than just that act or action. I am sure that most of us are familiar with the ripple effect. One stone thrown into a body of water will effect the entire surface of the water, not just in the moment, but with the returning ripple as well. There is a lot time and effort needed to stop the ripple effect and without careful investigation, there may not be a way to see the lasting effects of those ripples than began with a single act.

This morning I am studying in Romans about “Death in Adam, Life in Christ”. The passage is titled as such for chapter five verses 12-21. Here I am reminded that the one act or sin of Adam had a lasting effect on all that came after him, with one exception of course, Jesus. Adam’s act of eating from the tree of knowledge was that which made sin known and led to death for all.

“¹²Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” — Romans 5:12 (ESV)

One bite of fruit (the single act) led to death. See the seeming innocence of the sin. Sin is sin and the result of it is the same, regardless of the gravity of it. Adam’s one act of sin rippled throughout and the lasting effects are still being felt.

Now that ripple effect is also felt thanks for the act of Jesus. He took on our sin and died (the single act) and provided a way to be justified. Thanks to the one act of sacrifice, I have been given a chance to experience glory in heaven. My sins, that began with Adam, are forgiven with the one act of Jesus for my sake. The ripple effect of Jesus’ act is felt continually.

Just imagine that same stone in water story, only now, there is a larger stone thrown into the water. The ripple caused by the first stone is overcome by the ripples of the larger stone. Jesus is that larger stone and His act was much more powerful than the small sin of Adam.

“¹⁷For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.” — Romans 5:17 (ESV)

One act, no matter the size, will affect many others and the actions they are taking themselves. Sin is a part of our lives thanks to the small act of Adam in the Garden of Eden. This led to death as the wages of that sin. Jesus’ act of sacrifice in our place provided the greater effect that overcomes sin for all.

“¹⁸Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.” — Romans 5:18 (ESV)

Jesus’ act, dying for our salvation, where it leads to justification, is one act that we have to understand and knowingly accept in order to gain that justification. I have to act myself to receive the gift that God has for me.

I have the ability to impact others based on my acts. I can choose to small acts that are easy, like taking a bite from fruit on a tree, or I can choose larger acts that are hard. Either way, I will impact others. The larger acts will have more impact although, they will need to be accepted as those acts. I choose the larger, harder acts.

What acts are you out there conducting? Are you taking the easy path and allowing it to ripple throughout? What if you were to choose the larger, harder acts and allowed those to cause a larger ripple once they are accepted?

“³The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst ⁴they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery.’” — John 8:3-4 (ESV)

This woman had been caught in the act of sin, and as I read, she does not refute that at all. She was brought before Jesus to receive her just punishment based on the law of Moses.

I know that I have been caught in the act of breaking the law of man. Whereas I will defend myself to the fullest, I will generally not refute that I acted in such a way. I will take the punishment of man for the actions taken in line with the law of God (although, not here to discuss those merits).

Sin is sin, and whether we are caught in the act by others or we seem to get away with it, we are still responsible to God. In this passage, the woman was caught in sin and should be punished under the law of man. Jesus however turns the tables on those who bring her to task. He asks them to examine themselves for sin in their own lives and if there is none, then they are free to judge this woman on her sin. As they examine, there is not one of them that is without sin and therefor they leave the woman with the one who was without sin, Jesus.

“¹⁰Jesus stood up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ¹¹She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.’” — John 8:10-11 (ESV)

Now Jesus had every right to condemn the woman as she clearly did not refuter her sin, and that sin was directly against Jesus. Yet, He demonstrates His love and compassion by allowing the woman to repent and sin no more. Jesus does not condemn the woman based on past sin, He loves her and with her repentance she is spared additional punishment.

Even as a Christian, I am still a sinner. There is no reason to hide from it as God knows and even knew before we committed the sin. I do have the opportunity to repent of that sin, even when caught in the act. With my repentance, God does not condemn me, He shows compassion and love for me and allows me to move forward.

What sins have you committed in life? Are you trying to hide from, or get away with them? What if you were to accept the sin you have committed and repent knowing that God will not condemn you, even when you have been caught in the act?

How often is it that I know of the followers of Christ carrying out acts that are not in the following of God’s law. I have witnessed it first hand and heard of it from others. During those times that I find myself wondering if following God’s law is even worth the work. If going against God’s law seems to not be of any consequence, and those that do seem to prosper from it, then what reasons are there for me to follow?

It is in those times of doubt that I need some action. I need to be shown that there are consequences to the actions taken or not taken. I have to, as Thomas, be shown that there is a point and not just hear about what is to come. This morning as I study the word “act” I am reading in Psalm 119 and see that praying for God to demonstrate the consequences of going against His law is not out of bounds.

“¹²⁶It is time for the LORD to act, for your law has been broken.” — Psalm 119:126 (ESV)

“When God’s ‘law has been broken’ by his own people and they seem to get away with it, it seems that God is inactive; this is a prayer that he would vindicate his own justice for the sake of his faithful.” — ESV Commentary

As seen in the verse and commentary above, praying for God to demonstrate the consequences of acting against His law is there for us as faithful servants. I should be able to see that my actions should not be rewarded for the work against God. I have to see that I will not get away with it, just as those that broke the law of God did not get away with it. This is the discipline of God for the lack of discipline in doing His work.

I have the opportunity to do God’s work and follow His law, and when I do not, I have to suffer the consequences. I pray for God to act and discipline me for my sake, as I am less likely to break His law again, and for the sake of other Christians. Others may see and know that God is just and will act when we are not acting according to God’s law.

What laws of God have you broken and not felt the consequences? Are you praying that God will act? What if you asked God to act on your law breaking for your own sake and for the sake of your fellow followers?

I believe that too often we ask God for something and expect that it will be given. In fact, the verse below from Jesus is an example of what is used to justify or go against that very concept.

“⁷Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” — Matthew 7:7 (ESV)

There is much more to the asking of God for Him to give or provide. I have to be fully devoted and committed to Him with all my heart and then He will act accordingly.

“⁴Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. ⁵Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.” — Psalm 37:4-5 (ESV)

In the verses above, I see what it is that leads to the being given or provided by God. I have to delight in the LORD and commit to Him and then he will give and act. It is not just about asking, I have to fully commit to Him and then He will take action with regard to the desire of my heart.

God’s action is dependent on my action. I have to act with conviction to the LORD and then He will act in response to my action accordingly. Without my commitment to Him, I may not receive. Notice my words, “may not” receive. God will provide that which I need at all times. He will ensure that I have that which is required to fulfill His work. I will not “need” for anything. It is the desires that I may not “need” that will be waning without my commitment to Him. I have to be “in it to win it”, to use a saying, in order that God will act and give me the desires of my heart.

What have you asked for from God that you may not have received? Are you asking from your heart? What if you were to delight and commit and trust in Him and ask for that which is in your heart?

A difficult statement/question this is as God will do so and not always as I believe with my head. It is that within my heart that God will act on, and not that which I want to happen.

“³⁸whatever prayer, whatever plea is made by any man or by all your people Israel, each knowing the affliction of his own heart and stretching out his hands toward this house,” — 1 Kings 8:38 (ESV)

Solomon is clear here in his prayer. He is stating to God and reminding those in attendance that it is indeed that which is in the heart that God will be acting on. I can want for something to happen, but until that something is truly in my heart, and not just in my head, the action God takes may not be at all what I was looking for.

“³⁹then hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways (for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind),” — 1 Kings 8:39 (ESV)

Only God knows that which is in my heart. In fact, as a man, I sometimes do not know exactly that which is in my heart. I am driven by emotion and those emotions get in the way of that which is truly in the heart. I may have the emotions saying that something is a certain way and that is driving my head to take certain actions, when that which is in my heart is pushed down and hidden through my actions in an attempt to hide what is really going on. An example would be working with charities and broadcasting the work all around. My head and emotions are driven by the visual sense of the work being done and deep in the heart, I may be looking for the recognition and glory that comes from society for the work I am doing.

I am here to do the work of God and by doing so, God will act according to my heart condition in doing that work. It should not be for me that I act, and God will act according to my heart, not my head nor with what I want from Him. Regardless of what I want, God will act according to that which is deep within my heart, not that which is on the surface (unless those two are in alignment).

What is it that you have in your heart? Are your heart and head in alignment? What if we focused on God and lead with your heart and allow God to act according to our heart?

Discipline is not necessarily a fun part of life. Doing things in a particular way at a particular time may not be exciting or may not feel like there is any freedom.

I am one that tends to follow the rules and the process and does things on time and adherence. Where that may seem boring, it is in fact more stable and I find that I am able to move on to other things more quickly as a result. You see, having discipline to do things right saves time as I do not have to go back and do them again. I am able to move to the next item on the list and know that the first item is behind me. That is freedom. I have the chance to simply not be concerned with what has happened and can focus on those things are going to happen. Without discipline, I find that the list of things needing to be done never really gets any shorter as I am constantly working to “fix” what did not get done right the first time.

I have a responsibility to work on getting things right, and with God, it is even more important than in other areas. I have to remember to do that which God gives for me to accomplish and know that I have served Him first and can now move on to the next. This brings joy to my father in heaven, glory to His name, and He delights in me.

“¹²for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.” — Proverbs 3:12 (ESV)

I notice in the first part of verse 12 above, that God disciplines those He loves. A lot of that is attributed to the correcting of wrong in society. There seems to be this negativity that comes with discipline as opposed to the way I described in the first part of this morning’s writing. No one likes to be disciplined, even when reading the second part of the verse that indicates the delight God has in me. What is missing is the lack of discipline that leads to discipline.

“¹¹My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,” — Proverbs 3:11 (ESV)

It starts with discipline as noted in the first part of verse 11 above. I have to remember that the discipline to do right comes before anything else. I have to not necessary like doing things the right way or in the right time, I simply have to accept them and know that there is a purpose behind them. Once I have accepted, I will then know that the consequences are mine to bear as I chose to adhere or not. And when not, the consequences will not be as pleasant as I expect.

God delights in me and my obedience. He does not want to punish me for not doing right, but I put myself in those positions by not adhering to the discipline He has provided for me to indeed do right.

What discipline are you avoiding and then being disciplined? Are you running in the attempt to get away with not doing right and being disciplined? What if you embraced the idea that God delights in you and provides discipline to you so that you can avoid disciplinary consequences?

I am grateful that I have the LORD who I can rely on and trust. I may have times when I misstep and stumble a bit, God will make sure that I do not fall completely.

“²³The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; ²⁴though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.” — Psalm 37:23-24 (ESV)

I have a protector and guide that will not allow me to fail completely. I know what some may think, If God guides and protects you so much, why would He allow you to fail at all. Well, I have free will to do what I feel is right and just. And with that free will, I may not always do that which is really right and just, only that which society sees as right and just. Examples: getting revenge on someone that wronged me may be seen as right and just in society, attacking someone for the views they have may seem right and just in society, and the always popular one of that if it is not physically harming someone, what is wrong with it. All of these may be seen as right and just in society, but they are not exactly demonstrating the spirit of God.

I have to remember that what society believes to be one thing, may not be what is right and just in the eyes and heart of God. I am to answer to the higher authority for what is right and just and that higher authority is God. I must be in line with Him.

When I am in line with God, He guides my path and makes sure that I have firm footing throughout the journey. I will stumble from time to time. Even on the smoothest of paths I will stub my toe. Think about those times when we have joked of someone tripping on the blade of grass or the line on the sidewalk. No path will be traveled without some tripping and stumbling. It is a stumble and not a complete fall to the point of not being able to get up and recover.

I will fall down. I will trip on the path. I will stub my toe. The thing is those are momentary and not forever. God provides the path where He has added guide rails and places to lean on as we go. I will have the tools necessary to get back up and keep moving forward. I will be granted the chance to move to the next task and bring glory to God. He will not forsake me and will keep my upright when I follow Him.

What path are you walking on? Are you taking the path of society without a safety net? What if you followed God fully and took the path He provides that has the hand rail?

“⁷How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. ⁸They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.” — Psalm 36:7-8 (ESV)

Notice that which God allows for me to have part, His love, His protective wings, His house, and His delights. What a list and frankly a list of the best that God has, and He gives it to me. I am so grateful that God has this for me.

I am a sinner and certainly not worthy of receiving anything except the fruits of my sin. I should encounter death at all that I have committed against God and anyone else. I am not worth that which I am given. I have really done nothing to deserve the love and safety and care that God has for me as I have and will continue to fail Him each and every day.

Yet, God sees to it that I have the best that He has to offer. I don’t just get loved, I get His steadfast love. I don’t just get safety, I get safety in His shadow. I don’t just get enough, I get an abundance from His house. I don’t just get a drink, I get drink from the best of His. I am a sinner and God gives to me as His son and not just to survive, His gives from the best and would consider no less for me.

“⁹For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.” — Psalm 36:9 (ESV)

My failures do not stop God from providing the best to me and as seen in verse nine above, I get the life and light. I receive the light of life from God in my life, despite that which I have done to push it away. My sin, where a barrier in most situations, with God and my repentance, I have the best from Him.

What things in life are you receiving? Are you getting what you deserve, or something else? What would you imagine to receive with your repentance and reliance on God, the best He has?

I have a duty to delight in the LORD. I have to have His love and compassion and comfort and words in my heart. I have to let that seep out of me so that all can see.

“²⁷Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, ‘Great is the LORD, who delights in the welfare of his servant!’” — Psalm 35:27 (ESV)

I have to remember that even when not “saying” anything, I am still preaching the gospel to all those who are watching. I have to ensure that what they see in my is that of delight in the LORD. I have to make it clear more in my actions than in my words, for words are empty. I have to be there for all to see and see that I am here to do the work of the LORD and not the work of man. I have to be sure that everyone knows that I am here for the LORD.

It is easy to be the full follower of Christ when in a place where there are others seen delighting in the LORD as then the collective is presumed to be of God and for God. When I am alone and on my own, in the presence of non-believers, I have to be more conscious of those watching and make sure that they are able to see the delight in the LORD I have. I have to be all in for Him in public and private. And when I am, my actions will allow my words to be heard.

“²⁸Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long.” — Psalm 35:28 (ESV)

My duty is to bring the word of God to the people and that is more possible when the people trust that my actions are true. Others have to see the delight in my work and then they will be able to hear the delight in my words.

What are others seeing in you? Are your actions speaking to the delight you have in the LORD? What if you were to focus on delighting in the LORD and allowing your actions to lead into your words for others to delight?

There is a lot of influence that comes from society and those that surround us. I know that I will look on with curiosity when I come into a group, to see if there is something that I can learn and/or take away that I maybe should be more aware. I have to be careful that I am not walking into or engaged with a trapping of something that will pull me away from God due to my weakness and desire to “look good” in front of others.

This morning I was brought to Psalm 22 and where this passage is related to the question of why would God forsake me, I have to read and take more away than just the title of the passage. I again have to read to understand and not just collect information.

“⁶But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. ⁷All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; ⁸’He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!’” — Psalm 22:6-8 (ESV)

The above verses address the idea and reality of being chastised and “mocked” as a follower of Christ. Society is mean and cruel and a thorn in the side of those that adhere to the teaching of God and continue to follow Him even when there appears to be no reward for the devotion. It is easy to fall into the crowd with the mindset that I will better fit in and be accepted when I lend to the leanings of society. But, it is the steadfastness to remain with God and following him that generates the true reward as is noted in the rest of the Psalm and continues in Psalm 23 that follows.

Verse 8 above, where it is meant to be a sarcastic comment and garner some self-doubt and dig into the follower of Christ, it should also be a mantra or a rally cry for the Christ follower. Knowing that God will deliver and rescue me should be that which gives me hope. I should be fully trusting in the LORD and I should be delighting in Him at every step I take. I will be rewarded and those that mock, in order to have the same, will need to do the same once they have reconciled their sinful ways and follow Christ.

I must delight in the LORD always, and not just in times when I am alone with Him. I must carry Him with me at all times and not waver and be influenced by the cruelty of society. I will be with Him and He with me as I travel through this world on way to my final heavenly home.

What in society is getting in the way of your delighting in the LORD? Are you allowing yourself to be influenced by those around you to the point that you are turning away from God to be accepted? What if you were to delight in the LORD always and putting aside the influences of those around you as your ultimate reward is in your final heavenly home?