Fingerprints

For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. (Romans 2:12-16, ESV). In the past few weeks I have had some time to watch some of the older reruns of favorite shows. I have just about caught up on all the “Law and Order” series. It is an older series that has gone into syndication now and has numerous reruns playing. The kernel of each of the episodes revolves around the solving of various crimes through forensic investigation. Of course, DNA and fingerprints are staples of the investigations. It is next to impossible for anyone to make anything without leaving behind their fingerprints. That's why criminals take so much care to wipe away their fingerprints. By the same token, because God made you, God's fingerprints are all over you. Too often, like the criminal, we attempt to cover up God's fingerprints. For many people in our culture, it is true that they ignore God. Some of them may pay Him a little lip service on Sunday morning, but for the most part, God is ignored. Then there is a small minority, which vocally rejects God. These people want Him banned from business and education, and especially from government. God's moral standards are to be set-aside in business. Work in the classroom must also be done without acknowledging the Author of truth. And religious convictions are to be left outside the halls of government. Unfortunately, all this maneuvering is really an effort to escape from God. But you can never really escape from God. You see, God's fingerprints are all over you and even inside of you. For example, every time you do something, your conscience gives its approval or voices its disapproval. Why? Because you are made in God's image. As a result, there is a special knowledge of right and wrong within you. That special knowledge of right and wrong is based upon what God says is right and wrong. This is the meaning of our reading this morning. God’s law is written in our hearts. So in the end, as much as you may try, you cannot escape from God, your Creator. Why don’t you turn to Him today and renew your commitment to His wonderful handiwork in your life? There is still much more that God desires from all of us. It requires our permission for Him to complete the work He has begun in us. Turn Him loose in your life!