Judgment, Mercy, Faith, and the Love of God

This year (2010) Passover day falls on Monday, March 29th.  We will partake of the Foot-Washing service, and the Bread and Wine on the previous evening, just after sunset – Sunday, March 28th.  The Night To Be Much Observed will be Monday evening, March 29th.  The First Day of Unleavened Bread, a holy convocation, is Tuesday, March 30th.   "These are the Feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.  In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's Passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread unto the Lord: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread."  (Leviticus 23:4-6)

Judgment, Mercy, Faith, and the Love of God

Dear Brethren,

Have you ever noticed how when it comes to the weightier matters of the Law, Matthew’s list differs from that of Luke?  Jesus rebuked the Pharisees:  “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”  (Matthew 23:23)

The messages of the gospel writers are cumulative, so we are able to see even more of what Jesus said in Luke's gospel:  “But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment, and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”  (Luke 11:42)

We find then that practicing justice, mercy, faithfulness and the love of God are the weightier aspects of the Law of God.  Since God declares these to be more important matters, we should focus especially on them.  How do we practice judgment, mercy, faith and the love of God?

How do we apply godly judgment with our fellow man?  This is a most important question, because as Christians we are called upon by God to intervene in the lives of others – help them to attain to eternal life.  We are most definitely, "our brother's keeper."  When a brother or sister stumbles, we must be willing to pitch in to help them regain their spiritual footing – but it requires discernment or judgment to know when to intervene.  “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”  (Galatians 6:1)

James put it this way:  “Let him know, that he which converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”  (James 5:20)  Righteous judgment begins with ourselves:  “Let a man examine himself… for if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged [condemned by God].  (1Corinthians 11:28, 31)  Jesus said, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”  (John 7:24)

How important is it for a Christian to be merciful?  Do we really know what mercy is, and realize our need for it?  Does God have mercy and loving kindness for all mankind?  How merciful is God?  Because of our sins, justice would dictate our death penalty, but God's mercy allows us to live.  What must we do to receive the mercy we need from God?

In His mercy, God forgives us – completely writing off our wrongs when we repent. “The Lord God is merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.”  (Exodus 34:6, 7)

We as true Christians must put the words of Jesus into practice.  How do we practice mercy?  Jesus gave us this straightforward principle.  He said that in order for us to expect to receive His mercy we must demonstrate our willingness to extend mercy to others.  "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."  (Matthew 5:7)

The concept of mercy is not easy to grasp - but God says that it is one of His absolute requirements.  God is merciful.  The phrase, "His mercy endures forever," appears nearly one hundred times in the Scriptures.  Therefore, we must also be merciful.  If it were not for the mercy of God – mankind would have long ago been destroyed for its sins.  There is no sacrifice we can offer to cover our sins – let alone, the sins of the world.  We must put on mercy.  God says, "But go ye and learn what that means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."  (Matthew 9:13)

Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned.  Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.  For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."  (Luke 6:36-38)

How do we practice faith or faithfulness with our fellow man?  In this end-time, genuine faith is so rare on the face of the earth that Jesus Christ was compelled to ask the question, “Will I find faith when I return.”  (Luke 18:8)  Most people have a duplicitous faith, which causes them to profess one thing and then live another way.  They do not know the kind of faith of which Jesus spoke.

Genuine and sincere faith is without any pretense, doubt, or hypocrisy.  It is a gift of God that is given only to His spiritually begotten children through His Holy Spirit.  It is a belief system and conviction that is so real that it changes a person’s life, thoughts, and actions.  Faith is necessary and essential for salvation.

The faith that Jesus Christ brings to us is one, whereby, we believe so whole-heartedly in His perfect way that we yield our minds and desires to the will of God.  We fully embrace and implement His teachings in all our thoughts and actions.  “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.  If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches [of God]?"  (Luke 16:9-11)

If we remain faithful to our calling, by accepting our trials with faith and dealing with them with perseverance, we will be welcomed into the Kingdom of God with these words, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21, 23)

How do we practice the love of God?  Actually, the love of God is expressed in a two-fold love, toward God and toward our fellow man.  Jesus condensed our spiritual responsibility into two succinct laws when He gave us the Two Great Commandments:  "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."  (Matthew 22:37-39) 

So, the first question then becomes, “How does one go about loving God with our whole heart?  And then, how do we express that love of God toward our fellow man?  Where does True Godly love arise?  “… the love of God has been poured forth into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given unto us.”  (Romans 5:5)  “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”  (1John 3:16)

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Sermon: "Judgment, Mercy, Faith, and the Love of God"

 


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