Psalm 17:1 Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

Can you honestly tell me you have never faked it? If your answer is no, then “You are a better man than I am Gunga Din.” The truth is we are human and there will be times when we are asked to participate when our hearts just aren’t in it.

In those moments what is wrong with admitting it? Isn’t it possible that a deeper human connection might become possible in fellowship if you allow yourself to be vulnerable?

1 Corinthians 2:1,3,5 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

What if it is your vulnerability that is needed rather than wisdom? What if your communion is needed more than leadership? What if they just do not want to feel alone? Setting ourselves above and apart from worldly woes is illusionary. All God has ever asked of us is to be honest. Why can’t we be honest with each other? Are we afraid to be found human?

1 Corinthians 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

I would rather be subdued than “on top of it” so that God might be found in me.

Romans 8:20 For the creation (nature) was subjected to frailty (to futility, condemned to frustration), not because of some intentional fault on its part, but by the will of Him Who so subjected it—[yet] with the hope … AMPC

Let’s look at the word intentional here and see if anything can be gained.

In a criminal investigation motive is one of the elements that a prosecutor wants to establish to ensure a conviction. Often times the charges brought before the court are based on intent. First degree murder can be reduced to manslaughter if criminal intent cannot be proven.

The premise of intent goes back to Old Testament law.

Deuteronomy 4:41-42 Then Moses severed three cities on this side Jordan toward the sunrising; That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live:

The setting aside of three cities where the killer should flee sounds like escaping justice. It is not. The killer goes alone, giving up his living, his property, his family ties and is known in these cities as an offender. He cannot return to his former life until the avenging family members of the man he has killed are all dead.

But how does this relate to our spiritual life?

Matthew 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

OK, but does this implicate us in the death of a man unawares?

Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

You were not aware that Christ died for your sins, until you did. He did and now you are aware, and now you flee and leave everything behind.

Acts 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

1 Corinthians 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

If you think I have gone too far in connecting these verses, then I must ask you this…

Of all the transgressions worthy of punishment in the Old Testament, why is it that this and only this judgment takes into account intent?