No One Can Fool God

Many people view God as a tyrant who is just looking for someone to mess up so he can destroy them.  They see his law as excessive and overly restrictive.   Others believe that God may have set the world in motion, but that he doesn’t pay much attention to what is going on here.  Because some appear to get by with evil, they think God either doesn’t care very much or is easily fooled.  Both views are contrary to what the scriptures say. 

Contrary to popular opinion, humans are not naturally good.  They naturally do things that are harmful to themselves, as well as to others, whether it involves using drugs or alcohol, or killing each other.  God’s law was given to make us aware of the consequences of such behavior.   Because God loves all mankind, he sent his son to meet the penalty for sin and free us from its consequences.   John 3:16-18 tells us, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”  Refusal to accept responsibility for our sin or to believe he has made atonement for it leaves us to pay the penalty ourselves for the sins we have already committed. 

Although some appear to have gotten by with their sin, God is aware of it.  II Peter 3:9 tells us, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”  God is simply giving them an opportunity to make things right before he collects their debt, because he loves them and doesn’t want them to have to pay it themselves.   I John 1:9 tells us that if we are willing to accept responsibility for our sins and ask for his forgiveness, he will absolve us of guilt.  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 

Because he is willing to forgive, some try to fool him, apologizing and asking forgiveness even though they have no intention of changing their behavior.  Galatians 6:7-8 warns, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”  God is not fooled by their fake apologies and false professions of faith.  They will still be held accountable for their sin.  While God already knows peoples intentions, we do not, but their actions and attitudes reveal whether they were sincere or not, as Matthew 7:20 tells us.  “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”  They may fool us for a while, but ultimately, I Timothy 5:24-25 tells us the truth will come out.  “Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.  Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.”