Abimelech felt as though someone had punched him in the stomach. His head was swimming in circles. His hands had suddenly become clammy as he had broken out into an instant sweat. Fear had gripped his entire being. It isn’t often that one could see the king of Gerar sweating in such fear, but then again this was probably the first time that he had heard God announce, “You are as good as dead.” Genesis 20:3 To hear God drop such a threatening bomb in one’s lap is enough to terrify even a king. Abimelech’s mind must have raced, “What have I done to deserve this?” God wasted no time in telling him. You have taken a married woman, Sarah, to be your wife.
One can only imagine Abimelech’s mind stumbling as he groped for the words to defend himself. In essence he said, “I didn’t know. I acted with a clear conscience.” Abimelech’s response is also a popular one today. Many people commonly believe that as long as you are sincere in what you do that is enough. After all, if someone is sincere and does what he or she thinks is right, how can someone hold them guilty?
Basically, God’s answer to Abimelech was “sincerity is not enough. But because you did act in ignorance I’m willing to give you this final opportunity to make things right so you can live.” God gave Abimelech the choice of life or death. To choose life meant that he had to change his life and align himself with what God wanted.
Likewise, although we deserve death, God in His mercy has offered us life. His kindness has done all that it can do: He sent His Son to make life possible, He has shown us the narrow path that leads to life, and He has told us how we can receive the blessings which He has made available through Jesus. If this was not enough, His Word is readily available to even the common person. The ball is now in our court. Like Abimelech, God has given us the choice of life or death.
Even in a human court, ignorance and sincerity are not acceptable excuses if the matter has been publicly posted. Although we need to be sincere people, let’s not be deceived into thinking that if somebody is “sincere” or “genuine” that is sufficient. In His loving kindness, God has already warned us that everybody needs Jesus - even that person who thinks that they can make it by just being a good sincere citizen. Ignorance can not be an excuse since God has commanded all people everywhere to repent. Let’s be a Christian family that doesn’t ignore our responsibility to spread the good news about the life that God has made available.
Barry Newton, Copyright © 1998
Other articles which may be of interest:
Dialoguing with Skeptics (Responding to - "Why should I think that you are any different from others who have claimed to follow God?")Faulty Feelings (Changing Our Feelings)