Living in God's Presence

Somebody who breaks into a house knows he is running risks. Thieves undoubtedly are constantly aware of what might happen to them if they are caught. Yet, in spite this awareness, they persist in their criminal ways. Indeed, their knowledge of the law and its penalties is quite ineffective. Our awareness of God must not be like this. We cannot be like the nervous burglar hiding under the bed, who is always thinking about the possibility of being caught and punished but continues his risky, criminal behavior. It is not enough simply to remember our Lord is there: if, as soon as we remember that fact, we realize we are doing wrong or not doing what we ought, then we must actively change our course of behavior.