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Mercy, Not SacrificeCopyright © 2007-2008 Joyce C. LockWe have heard it said, "I don't smoke, curse, or chew; or run around with women who do." Will somebody please give them a cookie ... to shut them up? Isn't that a bit like gloating, "I'm saved and you're not"? I mean, really. Who is he that condemneth? (Romans 8:34) If you didn't die on the cross, you don't have the right to condemn anyone. Or, maybe what they meant was, "Your sin is worse than mine, so that makes me more righteous than you." But, that isn't true, either, as all unrighteousness is sin. (1 John 5:17) Perhaps they would like to rephrase their statement to, "Those, who do so, couldn't possibly be saved." Though, I guess they weren't listening when God said He doesn't judge the outward appearance, but looks for their true heart. (I Samuel 16:7) The next response might be, "Well, if they were following God, completely, He would remove those demons." Oh, really. Isn't that a bit like calling the kettle black? How is your back doing? Did your car breakdown, this week? Maybe your boss is being particularly difficult. And, oh, those teenagers! If one had a pure heart for God, wouldn't they love His children, too? (Jude 1:21-23) As is often discretely expressed, "Well, they're certainly not going to serve God, in our church, until they get things right." But I wonder, did anyone ask God about that? (Romans 11:29) Jesus described these as sick (Matthew 9:11-13) and said that befriending them is wisdom; for which these would justify that wisdom (Matthew 11:19). Well, there goes the theory that alcoholics are not sick. Suppose we were to separate from diabetics, too. We welcome people, into our congregation, with physical infirmities. But, let one spiritually handicapped come into our presence and, at best, we allow them to sit in a pew; separating from them in the true fellowship that would otherwise come through serving together, leaving them on the outside looking in. (1 John 1:7) When we shut the door on those that are spiritually blind, lame, or sick, do we not realize that is evil? (Malachi 1:8) Perhaps we also forgot that those we deem more feeble really are necessary (I Corinthians 12:22) and that, in God's house, all who have a heart to serve are welcomed. (Isaiah 56:7) Jesus tells us that mercy is desired more than our sacrifice and to go learn what that means. (Matthew 9:13) But, here, Jesus goes a step further by saying, "If ye had known what this meaneth ... ye would not have condemned the guiltless." Matthew 12:7 There's that condemnation thing, again. Now, wait a minute. Jesus was referring to Himself, wasn't He? Well, probably, but not just Him. Think about it. If you had learned what mercy meant, you would not be condemning others ~ period. Ok, but the guiltless part ... guiltless? Now, how can sinners be guiltless? From God's perspective, that's an easy one to answer. First, He already told us that man looks upon the outward appearance. So, when we do, our judging has to be in error. Secondly, whenever we try to name another's sin, we are only judging ourselves. (Romans 2:1) And thirdly, Jesus left a provision for such as these. There are many that never gave up on God, no matter what happened to them. In such cases, they don't drink for the sake of partying. They do not use tobacco to be cool. They don't over eat because they like to be fat. And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (Hebrews 11:36-38) Also, when you have lost everyone and everything you have ever loved or placed any faith in (other than God), until another Comforter comes, (while experiencing your own individual hell) He does not leave you comfortless. (John 14:16-21) Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. (1 John 3:9-12) Fourthly, their distress was not caused by their sin, but other's. Perhaps we have forgotten that Jesus was, likewise, accused (Matthew 11:19) ... He made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:7-12) and that those who suffer with Christ will be glorified with Him. (Romans 8:17) Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5) About The Author:
*** Digital Reprint Rights *** *** Author Notification *** We ask that you notify the author of publication of his or her work. Joyce C. Lock can be reached at: glimpsesofgod@praize.com *** Print Publication Reprint Rights *** If you desire to publish this article in a PRINT publication, you must contact the author directly for Print Permission at: glimpsesofgod@praize.com
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