God Issues: Sonia Sotomayor and your soul

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By Dr. James C. Denison President, Center for Informed Faith, Dallas, Texas July 13, 2009 Topic: judgment and grace Sonia Sotomayor and your soul What are your plans for the week? If you're in Texas, you're searching for air conditioning anywhere you can find it. If you're a baseball fan, you'll probably watch tonight's home run competition and tomorrow's All Star game. If you're Sonia Sotomayor, you're beginning the longest week of your life. As you probably know, Sotomayor's Senate confirmation hearings begin today. This morning's USA Today reminds us that Sotomayor, if confirmed, would be the first Hispanic and the third woman on the U.S. Supreme Court. Her hearings will be nationally televised, and every word she says will be scrutinized. The sermon I need to finish today kind of pales by comparison. But the fact is that I am in precisely the same position as Ms. Sotomayor. Hebrews 9:27 is clear: "Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment." Paul testified that "each of us will give an account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12). He told the Corinthians, "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10). What "things"? Solomon warned us that "God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Jesus concurred: "There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs" (Luke 12:2-3). Even our private words will be judged by God: "I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken" (Matthew 12:36-37). In other words, God wants to be the King of every part and moment of our lives. Jesus began his ministry by announcing that "the kingdom of God is at hand" (Matthew 4:17, ESV). His kingdom comes wherever his will is done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). If God is your King, you're sitting in his chair this morning, reading this essay on his computer, typing with his fingers, breathing his air. As the King of the realm, he will require an accounting of the way we use his possessions and serve his purposes. This is a sobering topic for a Monday morning. But there's good news on two fronts. First, serving God as your King is the wisest way to live this day. He loves you passionately, and wants only your best. His will is always for his glory and your good. Second, if Jesus is your Lord, your Judge is also your Father. He is anxious to forgive every sin you'll confess and restore you to an intimate, personal relationship with himself. If Sonia Sotomayor's parents were the only people allowed to vote on her confirmation, she'd be in your position today. So begin your week by asking your King what you can do for him this morning. Then rejoice that he's asking you the same question. This is the grace and the promise of God.

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