Forgiveness

Whatever Happened to Mercy?

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy Matthew 5:7

Whatever happened to mercy in our political arena and in our community? Where is forgiveness clearly messaged towards people who don’t agree with us, live up to our standards or fit in with our tight knit circle? When we are anxious to pick up stones to throw at people we might want to be careful of whom we hit. The person who is today’s vicious opponent may one day become a missionary like Paul. The liar we contend with at work could one day become a pillar of our church like Peter. Skeptics who question all we believe in could one day be like Thomas who traveled all the way to India bringing the message of the gospel!

Looking at racism, looting, and violence it is easy to begin to feel that some of those people really don’t deserve mercy. But that misses the point. Mercy cannot be deserved! Mercy is the attitude that reflects the undeserved second chance that God has given to anyone who comes to Him. Mercy is the action that says there is always hope for someone else’s life. Especially for we who call ourselves Christians, mercy should always be our first response rather than our last resort. Jesus teaches us that mercy unlocks God’s blessing. There is still hope for God’s blessing on our community because of mercy. No one is too far away for God to reach. God’s mercy can reach every hard angry and rebellious heart … even our own!

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Why is Racism Sin?

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Most thinking people know that racism is wrong but strange to say; not many seem to know why. Even defining racism can get pretty tricky. For example: is racism something only white people can do? Do Asians practice racism? If the inclusion of only certain ethnic groups in an activity is inherently racist then would that include The Sons of Portugal back in my hometown of Danbury Connecticut? Since it is unlikely we can overcome a problem without knowing what it is; why not start with the God who never changes and His word that points both directly to our sin and clearly to His solution?

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But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. Matthew 5:22

“There is only one race…the human race.” Rosa Parks

Racism actually breaks both the sixth and ninth commandments. “Thou shalt not murder.” (included by Jesus with anyone who is angry with his brother.) And – “Thou shall not bear false witness” because anyone speaking and acting hatefully is also believing and propagating a lie. God is no respecter of persons i. e. – He is more concerned about heart color than skin color!

God is not passive. He doesn’t lightly look at the death of George Floyd or any other innocent person. In fact God was so angry about sin that He sent Jesus Christ to the cross to suffer and pay the price with His own blood for our forgiveness. Without the cross there is no hope for any of us..

I draw hope from the story of Jesus and the woman caught in the act of adultery. It begins with a crowd of angry men dragging a woman into the public square and asking Jesus if He was okay with her being stoned according to the law. Jesus strange response has a lot to do with our situation today. He didn’t say a single word. Instead He stopped down and began to write with His finger in the dirt while the mob continued shouting. Then Jesus stood up and said, “Let him who is without sin, cast the first stone.” There was suddenly a silence among the men as His words found their mark. What would Jesus be saying today as He looks over America? What would He say about me and you? Maybe He is silently waiting for us to see our need and remember the love of His cross. Maybe He is praying and weeping until we come to Him with our sin and find that at Calvary enemies become brothers and sinners of every color are made true friends.

Father Forgive

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And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.   Luke 23:34 KJV

 

Whenever the president goes about nominating anyone for service in the government he makes up what people often refer to as a short list of names. These are the most qualified, smartest and powerful folks available. Add to those qualities the need of their having no embarrassing past, no criminal record or financial entanglements. Only after the best of the best have been narrowed down is the final the choice made. The good news for us is that God works in a different manner. His short list of candidates included corrupt politicians like Pilate; condemned criminals like the thieves being crucified with him and even a disciple named Peter who had denied him three times. Our greatest hope in the promise of Easter is in the forgiveness of sins that Jesus offers. We are as far from God as the soldiers who nailed His hands to the cross and Jesus reaches out to all of us in His prayer.

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Do you feel far from God’s plans for your life? Do you feel hopelessly tangled in a lifestyle that is leading you away from Him? The best news in the universe is; even if you had been one of those who gathered the thorns that were plaited into His crown, He would still want you as His child!