Theology In Country Music: The Lord Knows I’m Drinkin’

^3-4You didn’t think, did you, that just by pointing your finger at others you would distract God from seeing all your misdoings and from coming down on you hard? Or did you think that because he’s such a nice God, he’d let you off the hook? Better think this one through from the beginning. God is kind, but he’s not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change.

^5-8You’re not getting by with anything. Every refusal and avoidance of God adds fuel to the fire. The day is coming when it’s going to blaze hot and high, God’s fiery and righteous judgment. Make no mistake: In the end you get what’s coming to you—Real Life for those who work on God’s side, but to those who insist on getting their own way and take the path of least resistance, Fire!

Lord help me, but I love the song “The Lord Knows I’m Drinkin” by Cal Smith.  It’s a humorous tune about a self righteous, know it all, busy body by name of Mrs. Johnson.

Many times as believers we tend to look down our nose at other people.  This is not to say we excuse or condone sin and bad behavior, but we cannot self righteously judge others either.  Instead of focusing on the sin of others, we should see the sin in our own lives and ask God to purge us.  The above passage says in a nutshell if you point your finger at others,  3 more will be pointing back at you. (Make the gesture as if you are pointing at someone.  See the three fingers pointing back at you)

As a pastor I’ve noticed many times whenever I invite someone to church the excuses come out.  And with the excuses sometimes comes the reply: “You should invite so and so to church because he really needs it.  His life is a mess.”  In other words like Mrs. Johnson we feel superior to others because we think our lives are better than theirs.

It’s the old blame game.  “I am better than he is because I don’t do this or that.”  God is not only looking at the one we look down on, but he is also looking at us.  I hope we are spiritually healthy enough to pass his examination.  Instead of looking down at folks, let us look at our own faults and ask God for his forgiveness and deliverance.  Then will we be able to help others because Jesus has delivered us.

until next time,

thank you Lord for pardoning me

pastor greg t.