Though God is certainly a God of mercy and of grace we cannot forget that he is also the God of justice. Sin cannot go unpunished; God forgives us not on the basis of his goodness or kindness, but only because of the atoning death of his Son, Jesus Christ. God takes no pleasure in death, suffering, or condemnation so certainly, he does not want anyone to be falsely accused.
When we look at the system God established for confrontation and correction we see that matters were established through and number of people, not just one accuser. In his hatred of sin, God wants to protect the community from infection by bringing sin to account. At the same time, however, he wants to uphold the case of the innocent. More witnesses mean a better understanding of what happened.
Jesus echoes the above sentiment on more than one occasion. He instructs his disciples to resolve disputes one on one, but, should that break down, to include other trusted members of the community in order to make a right judgment and prescribe a course of action. Should that prove ineffective, we are instructed to “bring it before the church,” letting the corporate body decide the matter. The purpose of this is to 1) gain consensus. No one agenda or opinion can affect the outcome when many advisors seek the wisdom, leading, and insight of the Holy Spirit. 2) The system assures that the accused, or guilty party, has ample opportunity to acknowledge any wrongdoing and repent. Reconciliation is always the goal, not merely “being right.”
When we enter into conflict, we are typically reacting out of human pride. We seldom seek the best interest of the other or true justice. We just want to be validated, vindicated, or avenged. We seldom stop to think that God is equally concerned with the growth and development of the other person as he is with our own. Perhaps more of God’s people need to train themselves to think past their own forehead and adopt a “big picture view” on little everyday things…like conflict.
Weekly Devotional: May 30, 2010
Words to Grow On
The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor.”
Could it really be so simple? Yes. Deliver a message. This is what Jesus came to do; to announce the power, mercy, and grace of God. As his disciples – those who learn from and follow Jesus’ example – we must do the same.
If we were merely delivering a message, it would be easy for people to ignore it. This, however, is not a message we have merely heard and now pass on. It is a message we have experienced. Jesus has proclaimed to us freedom, and we have found freedom. He has offered sight, we trusted him, and now our eyes are open to see beyond what is seen. He has proclaimed God’s favor, and by grace we live in the glory of God’s faithfulness. This is a message we are living, and day by day discovering how immeasurable is its depth.
We are appointed as messengers of Christ. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” We experienced the message, have had it written on the tablet of our heart; we have been given, by the presence and work of the Holy Spirit, power to proclaim it. “For the Gospel of Christ is the power of salvation for those who believe.” And we have been given a charge that, “as we go make disciples, baptizing, and teaching them.” We cannot change a heart, but we can deliver the message and hold out our lives as an example. We can love from the heart of Christ so that “we share not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well.” There is no more powerful a testimony than faith in action; the Word alive in you.
It really is that simple.
Weekly Devotional: May 23, 2010
Words to Grow On
“But in fact God has arranged the parts of the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.”
Have you ever looked at a puzzle? Once finished, from a distance, it looks like a whole picture, but really, it’s not. It is one whole picture that is made up of several small pieces. If you were to inspect the pieces, you would notice that some have straight edges, some have mostly little holes and divots, others have mostly knobs and bumps, and some have combinations of all these features. And that’s just the way it needs to be.
Just as each piece of a puzzle is meticulously cut and shaped to fit together with the others around it in order to make a whole picture, so we are gifted and shaped to fit together with those around us to make a picture of the kingdom of God. One puzzle piece on the table does not reveal the picture, nor is it at all stable. Once it is connected to the other pieces in the puzzle, they show the picture, and hold each other together – stable. Likewise, we need to fit in our place in God’s picture of his kingdom – the church – in order to be made, and make others, stable and to reveal the whole picture.
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” There are no exceptions. If you are part of a church fellowship on any level, you have a purpose – a function (and if you’re not, you need to be). If a puzzle piece is missing, it leaves a glaring, obvious hole in the picture. In the same way, if you are not connected in the church, there is a glaring hole in the picture. Without you, someone is not being prayed for, people are missing the encouragement they need, the word of truth they need, or the compassion they need. Without you, kids aren’t being taught, the lost aren’t being invited, and the picture of the kingdom is incomplete. Don’t let a worldly view of success and significance deceive you. Whatever you bring to the body is important and necessary. Otherwise, God wouldn’t have brought you here.
There is another side to this puzzle. We like being able to contribute and find true significance, but even if we are able to set our need for those things aside through hyperactive humility, there is the issue of disobedience. You see, God arranged each and every part of his body “just as he wanted them.” It is his will – even command – that you participate in the life and mission of the church. To withhold your service, for any reason, is to disobey and thus receive the gift of God in vain. There is work God wants to do in you and through you. You willing obedience will put you in a position to experience the work of God. Remember, it’s not about you. But you get to be involved. Even the smallest service to “the least of these” can have a great impact. What a blessing to be a blessing!
Weekly Devotional: May 16, 2010
Words to Grow On
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Finding God’s will, or purpose, for our lives seems to be a big deal. We want to know what we are supposed to do; what it is that will make us significant. Often we want to know all the great and glorious things that God has planned for us – the success that awaits us. Other times, we just want to know what God wants so that we won’t have to take on things we really don’t want to do. What if God’s will for your life wasn’t so much about what you do, but rather, who you become? Ephesians 5:17 tells us, “Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” In other words, it is important that we understand God’s will, and his will is that we do not place ourselves under the influence of worldly things (like wine), but rather under the influence of the Holy Spirit. This is our connection with God. His will is for us to be filled, immersed; consumed in a right relationship with him. Paul goes on to write that we are to encourage each other in this connection with God. God’s will for you is not a list of tasks or some future glory. It is not an excuse for inactivity or avoiding less desirable expectations. God’s will for you is to become the child of God – the member of his family – that he redeemed you to be. His will for you is to spend your life in him and for him. You are to draw ever closer to him, and influence and encourage others to do likewise. You are to know God and make God known. This is the first and greatest commandment. Every other command has its foundation on this two-part purpose. Love, and continue loving God. Love, and continue loving your neighbor. These two commands are inseparable. As we continue in this purpose God’s will becomes clearer as we witness it fulfilled in and through us. It really is just that simple. Our worldly mindset and view of success and significance complicates it. This is why the transformation of our mind is so important. We must allow God to change the way we think…about everything. Until we see ourselves and the reason we are here with a fresh, kingdom perspective we will never get it right. As long as our expectation is to find what will set us apart we will miss it. We need to seek what will make us a part.
Weekly Devotional: May 09, 2010
Words to Grow On
“This is what the LORD says: Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." ~ Jeremiah 6:16
If we had to choose one word to describe our culture today, I think BUSY would be among the top contenders. The Bible says in Proverbs that, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” We run around crazy, knocking ourselves out as we pursue safety, comfort, and rest and we are completely missing the point of life. I have heard it said that the meaning of life is that you are born and you die and you just do the best you can in between. I don’t buy that, nor do I believe most of humanity buys it. We know that there is more to this life than merely living and dying with toil in the middle. The question is, “How do we find it?” We are told by God through the prophet Isaiah that, “We all like sheep have gone astray; each of us has turned his own way.” In other words, we took the life God gave us, determined the best way to go with it, and went that way without considering how the Author of life would direct us. We presume that God wants to take everything away from us and leave us with a solemn, empty life of religious piety. Like God’s people said in Malachi, “It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners?” I think even in the church we have taken this view of God. Yet we must remember that God does not ask of us anything that, in Christ, he has not done first. The Way in which God has called us and is directing us is the way that Christ himself has walked while in our flesh. This is what God had always intended, it is how those truly devoted to God have found full, rich, and abundant life. In this we will find the rest we desperately long for. As we take up the yoke of Christ and walk with him – when we acknowledge the Author of life and follow him – we grow strong and refreshed in our identity, our value, our purpose and calling; we find safety, peace, and great freedom within the boundaries he has set. “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” It is good to humbly walk with God. When we do, he can reveal to us the abundant life he has called us to, and in this we will find joy and rest.
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