Sparrows Don't Sin January 26, 2015

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

²⁸ And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹ yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 

Matthew 6:25,26; 26-30 ESV 

These verses from Matthew are some of the most quoted verses from the New Testament.  So much so that perhaps the full implications of the verses are not often considered.

Jesus is pointing out to his disciples how God takes care of the flowers and birds.  A rose never has worry lines.  A tulip never tosses is its bed because of anxiety.  Robins never get grey hair (or feathers).  Yet they continue to survive and thrive.  However, they are never disobedient either.

Both the flowers and birds follow God's instructions.  They are obedient to their nature.  God's promise to feed and clothe us are dependent in large part to our obedience, or at least our sincere efforts and growth in that area.

A rose would not grow if planted in an arid desert.  A robin would not thrive if released in the Antarctic.  Likewise, if we live a life outside of our new nature in Christ, we will not thrive.

It is folly to expect God to provide for our needs if we consistently, willfully sin.  If our lives are not a reflection of His values and light, we should be anxious.  While Jesus does not specifically tell his disciples obedience is a requirement for blessings, it stands to reason that we cannot disobey God and expect His goodness.

God blesses the birds of the air and lilies of the field because they are obedient to the plans He has for them.  He will do likewise for us.