mercy vs judgment

As the new year starts I am working my way through James. I recently heard someone say they wish James was not in the Bible because it's too tough. There are mutiple issues addressed by James, but I am coming to believe the basis of it all is 2:13. This is summarized with the statement, "mercy triumphs over judgment!" Watch your mouth! Love your neighbor! Take care of widows and orphans! Don't discriminate against the poor! Find the wisdom that comes from above! Submit to God! James is practical and hard hitting. Jesus showed mercy from the cross but was given no mercy at the cross. Those around heaped a cheap judgment upon the sinless Son of God. It's too easy to judge someone by their appearance. The Lord looks on the heart and could care less what kind of car you drive, or how much money you make. It's too easy to judge, be critical, be selective. Mercy reaches through all the stuff to the heart of someone else. It's what God through Christ did for each of us. Without mercy...I hate to think about it. Jesus spoke often of his choice of mercy over sacrifice. Matthew's gospel carries key verses concerning. Christ's people must be specialists in mercy, not judgment. James closes the letter with a couple quick reminders. "The Judge is standing at the door (5:9)." "The Lord is full of compassion and mercy (5:11)." Yes we all need that! Finally James calls us to an important work of mercy-the restoration of a fallen comrade. Let's not pass judgment, but show mercy. It's the Jesus way.

A Nation Confused

The changing of the White House took place this past week. It was a historic time in the history of the U.S. It was also a time of revelation or revealing. If you were listening, you heard the message of confusion flowing from the lips of politicians, preachers and pundits. The confusion was probably best summarized in the prayer of one preacher who invoked the "god of our many understandings." The tragedy of the confusion is it leaves a nation drifting in the middle of the ocean without a paddle. The confusion is nothing new. Mankind has always struggled with idolatry. Instead of submitting to the one true God as revealed in Jesus Christ, mankind invents something that fits what he wants. We should not be surprised that Jesus Christ is not politically correct. God's ways are not the ways of man. As our nation drifts farther away from truth and the wisdom of God, Christ's people must stay on their knees in repentance and humility. Let us pray for this nation and her leaders. Let us pray for the church of Jesus Christ in America. The powers of darkness are at work in politics and religion. Jesus said to beware of politics and religion (Mt. 16:6). Both can be infected with great evil and become tools of darkness. After all the politicians and religious leaders orchestrated the tragedy surrounding the cross of Christ. (See Marva Dawn, Powers, Weakness, and the Tabernacling of God, & the writing of J. Ellul). The body of Christ is to be an alternative society. We are to be pure and free through the cleansing, control and leadership of the Holy Spirit. As another year unfolds, let's pray without ceasing for the church of Jesus Christ to come alive in America. The body of Christ alive, holy, and following Christ is the only hope for our nation and every other nation.

Prince of Peace

Christ entered a world filled with war, strife, prejudice, injustice and hostility. His message created unrest, turmoil and anger. During his ministry there seemed to be constant tension, down to the final episode of the cross. Into that picture the bold proclamation was made, peace on earth. The irony of it all is that His cross became the bridge between man and God by which we discover peace. This is a peace with God through Christ. A peace that is found when we repent of our sins, and turn from sin to walk in obedience to Christ. His peace extends into everyday life. It is a precious gift of His presence in us. As we recieve His grace, yield to the control of the Holy Spirit, stand on His promises, we find a peace that passes all understanding. This peace is a calm assurance that it is well with my soul, that the Lord is in control, and that His grace is sufficient. It is the peace of God as we walk in obedience to His word. The world around may be exploding but you have found a resting place. You have found the cleft in the rock and are aware of the everlasting arms of the Father. Isaiah 48:17-18 identifies obedience as a key to this peace. If I am obedient, then I am trusting in Christ. That trust is the foundation of this peace. If I want peace, then I must want Christ more than anything else. If I want peace, then I must walk in obedience to His word. As we end one year and begin another, let's focus our desire on the person of Christ and our determination to be obedient to the word of Christ.

Everlasting Father / Isaiah 9:6

Some translate this incredible title, 'Father of Eternity.' This One transcends all that has been and all that will be. Out of eternity into time He came for a brief period. If you have seen me you have seen the Father (John 14). What a revelation! The death of my Dad on 12/30/03 was a challenging time, and it still carries its challenges. There are multiple times when I would cherish a word, a hug, a day together. His presence made a difference. I was blessed to have such an excellent father. But he is no longer available, except through the precious gift of memory. But this Father is eternal. There is no end to His life giving presence. This is the Father who provides. He is Yahweh-Jireh (Gen.22:14). This Father is the life giving Father, and the life He gives is eternal. This life flows out of His person, His being. The everlasting Father provides everlasting life. The Son given, the Child born is the life of the Father.

Abba Father: I embrace your love for me. I thank you and rejoice in your provision of amazing grace and unending mercy. I cherish the privilege of being your son. Thank you for my Elder brother who has redeemed me and set me free from sin and death.

Mighty God / Isaiah 9:6

The One whose presence we cherish today, was and is the revelation of God's omnipotence on behalf of mankind. He is the God who conquers. Christ overcame the world (John 16:33), and triumphed over all the powers of darkness (Colossians 3:15). The challenge is to submit to this power. Mankind cannot get free of sin, guilt, despair, and death through self effort. A Savior is needed. Born for us a Savior who is Jesus Christ. Divine intervention. His counsel is wonderful, leading us out of confusion. His omnipotence brings order out of chaos. Mankind's best effort still leaves the world full of chaos and confusion. The wisdom and strength of man cannot fix the problem. The heart surrendered to Christ finds order, peace, well being. Because Jesus Christ is God in the flesh, He can forgive sin, defeat Satan, liberate people from the power of evil, restore the broken heart, and bring life out of death. He is able! He is able! Let us give him the right to make the best of us. Charles Wesley said it this way. "The name of Jesus is a tower that hides my life above. You can, you will my helper be, my confidence is all in You, the gracious God of love."

Advent/Isaiah 9:6

I have been remiss with blogging. We'll do a little Christmas catch-up today. Our focus is the great passage in Isaiah 9:6. Each title brings light to the person of Jesus Christ. Meditate upon these and allow the Holy Spirit to apply them to your journey of faith today.

Christ is the Wonderful Counselor. This counselor not only gives counsel that is wonderful, for it is truth, but the counselor himself is wonderful. It is the wonder of the Word become flesh. The eternal God becoming man, emptying himself, stepping out of eternity into time. The wonder of the whole picture begins by focusing our attention upon Jesus Christ who is more wonderful than my mind can conceive. Because he is wonderful, because His counsel is wonderful, His kingdom is free from confusion. Those who follow Him walk in the light, are led in paths of righteousness, and become like a tree planted by streams of living water. Instead of confusion there is courage, confidence, and conviction. His counsel ignites hope, brings strength, instills confidence, fosters freedom. His counsel is a wisdom that comes from above. It is 'pure, peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James 3:17)." He gives wisdom from above, eternal truth that enables victorious living today. The 'fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Let us cultivate the habit of 'inquiring of the Lord.' Moses prayed a simple prayer that directs us in this path. "Lord teach me your ways so that I may know you and continue to find favor with you (Exodus 33:13)."

America

We are on the eve of another presidential election. The media makes it a mess and candidates make promises they can never keep. Politics and religion were the death of Jesus Christ. Both are driven by a selfish motive that seeks to manipulate others to fulfill a personal agenda. My greatest concern for this election revolves around the direction our country could take regarding key moral issues such as abortion, homosexuality, and the definition of marriage. These issues are deeper than politics and reflect a greater chasm in the heart of America. We have become godless and immoral, embracing the wrong and rejecting what is right. Selfishness reigns in our nation. Solomon gave this directive: "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people (Proverbs 14:34). Even Solomon did not use his wisdom to make proper moral choices and follow the directives God had given for the king (Deut.17:14). Selfishness is not a new issue. Christ died to set us free from the destructive force of selfishness. This selfishness makes truth relative, something driven by personal opinion and preference.

At this time in America my heart is heavy for the church of Jesus Christ that is beset with selfishness. Christ's people must repent, and embrace God's call to righteousness and holiness. We have abandoned the ways of the Lord, and followed our own selfish agendas. We will get a new president, but that is not the solution. We need a new church in America. A church that is focused on Christ, following Christ and displaying Christ. God forgive us for making grace cheap and obedience optional. Let the church rise, and with a pure heart and clean hands proclaim to a watching world, Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life-Follow Him!