THE IRS, JUDGMENT AND GOD

It’s always fun to get away on a vacation. What’s even more fun is seeing your family, especially when it’s your children. We had a great time, filled with mountains, rest and family reunion. Most of the time coming home is no big deal. This time it was different. We got home on Friday and my peaceful bliss was met head-on by a letter from the IRS. It went something like this, "Mr. Watson, we need to talk." Goodbye mountains. Goodbye peace. Hello IRS. I decided I would go in on Monday. As it turned out, the issue was due to a simple error on my part. Instead of recording some paid taxes on one line, I recorded it on the line below. Of course, they could see I had paid the taxes. In fact, they even showed me their documentation that I had paid the taxes.... but, after all, I DID put it on the wrong line.

I once heard a study that more Americans would rather have a tooth pulled than face an IRS audit. Monday came only too soon. I had the privilege of waiting for 2 ½ hours while one employee (ONE employee) was working with an entire room full of people. How I missed the mountains! When my turn finally arrived I stepped into a small cubicle. The IRS employee was very pleasant, very helpful and I gave her high marks on my exit evaluation. But I was stressed. In fact, I started getting a headache on Sunday night and it just got worse on Monday. I was sure it was a simple error, but there’s still that lingering doubt that something may really be wrong. I was facing judgment by perhaps the most powerful organization in our country. I was facing IRS judgment- could anything be more frightening?

As I ponder my experience, the answer to that question is, "YES." This judgment was merely a judgment of humans. OK, the IRS is nothing to ignore, but it’s still not God (even though some in our country would argue that!) God’s judgment is so far above this judgment that there is no comparison. God’s judgment will determine our very eternity. But here’s why Christians can wake up every morning without fear and without a headache. Jesus Christ. Jesus faced the judgment we deserved. The wrath we deserve was paid by our Lord on that cruel cross on Calvary. We will face the judgment of God, but beside us will be an Advocate. Not a tax advocate, a ‘soul’ advocate. If we have accepted Jesus as our Savior, if we have had our sins forgiven in baptism and live faithfully for Him, God’s judgment will be a joy, not a fear. Christians- the judgment of God will be sure, but we can face it with assurance.  -Alan

            "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1
    
I wasn't always as tall or as wide as I am now.  In fact, I was the skinny kid in the neighborhood who could squeeze through the fence gate while my friends had to climb over the fence.  (Amazing what the years will do to you!)  Along with being weight challenged, I wasn't exactly the model athlete either.  It seemed my friends could kick, hit, throw, pass, dribble, shoot, pitch, and catch better than me.  Now all of that wasn't necessarily a problem until it was time to... pick teams.  It usually went like this.  Team one:  We'll take Leon.  Team two:  We'll take Fred.  Team one:  We'll take Mike.  Team two:  We'll take Howard.  This went on for about 5 or 6 picks until one kid named Alan was left standing alone.  Of course, when you're left standing by yourself you feel like you're a condemned kid that everyone would just as soon forget.   "Do you guys want Alan?"  Silence.   "OK- we'll take him."   So I'd walk my skinny frame to the grumbling team that, by the luck of the draw, had to take me.  

That feeling of condemnation and banishment is not a good one.  That feeling that you're not 'as good as' or not 'up to par' can really take it's toll, especially when everyone else is standing around staring at the condemned!  Perhaps you've been there yourself.   Perhaps you've felt those barbs of judgment as others have made you feel 'less than' and unworthy.   That's a bad place to be.  Here's some good news to offset all those bad memories.  God is picking teams and God chooses YOU!  No more standing alone, watching while others run to their team.  No more stares of judgment and disgust.  No more condemnation!  Christian, you are on God's team!

Team God is an awesome team that wins every game.  I love being on God's team.  I love knowing that He's excited that I'm on His team.  And most of all, listen closely to this,  I love knowing that when I die absolutely nothing changes.  I am still on Team God.  No condemnation.  Ever.  That's what happens when you're chosen by God.  We need to live like we are part of Team God.  We need to live with a smile on our face and a song in our heart.  We need to live like we've been chosen- because we are never going to be condemned again!    -Alan