MERCY OR MACHO?


"Mercy.....is nobility's true badge!"              William Shakespeare


For many of us these days (particularly us males!), the notion of mercy carries a wimpy connotation.  It's a bit like being called a "sissy" at school or on a playground when boys are young.  Mercy just feels as if we're allowing someone to get away with something they shouldn't.  Showing mercy does not appear to be fair.  And---in this day of violent, repeating criminal offenders---it just does not seem to be the genuinely responsible thing to do!

Daily, we come across other people whose words and actions hurt us, offend us, or who just negatively affect others.  In response, we become indignant; we want justice!   And, often in this world and certainly in the next, God's righteous character will insure that justice is done.  NO criminal act or sin passes the gaze of our holy God without His Sovereign knowledge and Divine notation!

However, this same God instructs us to exercise mercy just as He has done.  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught that "God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7)

1. To whom does God show mercy?
    a. To those who don't deserve it!  "He has not punished us for all our sins, nor does He deal with us as we deserve."  (Psalm 103:8-10)
    b. To those with sincere hearts.  "The Lord your God will be merciful only if you obey Him and keep all the commands I am giving you today..."  (Deuteronomy 13:18)

2. How does God show us mercy?
    a. In the life we have today.  "He forgives all my sins...He ransoms me from death...He fills my life with good things..."  (Psalm 103:2-18)
    b. In the world to come.  "He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of His mercy."  (Titus 3:5)

3. Does God expect us to be merciful?
    a. It is a basic part of the believer's life!  "O people, the Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what He requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."  (Micah 6:8)
    b. It is more important than formal worship alone!  "...I want you to be merciful; I don't want your sacrifices!"  (Matthew 12:7)

Opportunities to be merciful in daily life abound for us!  During this coming week, let's allow God's mercy to us to be reproduced in our mercy towards others.  It will be like teflon in our interpersonal relationships!

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2001

"A rotten apple discovers itself in a windy day."         William Jenkyn


One of the most crucial challenges to the modern church is hypocrisy.  Yes,  that old word from preachers of yesterday is still with us!  Nothing makes a Christian witness more difficult than a hypocritical life, and nothing destroys the good reputation of a church more than the hypocrites tenaciously claiming membership in it!  Hypocrisy creates the impression that eternal things are not of much value and that holy things are simply a matter of personal taste.

Many of us are like the American Cancer Society employees in the story below......

The Hollywood branch of the American Cancer Society decided to hold a benefit night in conjunction with a professional tennis tournament.  It turned out to be embarrassing for them, however, when they learned that a major tobacco company was sponsoring the competition! Officials of the society found out too late that they had committed themselves to selling 500 tickets to an event that was named after a well-known brand of cigarettes.  The publicity sent out by the Hollywood chapter portrayed a young woman with a tennis racket in one hand and a cigarette in the other!

Christians of another day had a special dislike for hypocrisy.....they saw it as a type of ecclesiastical cancer that would rob Christians and the church of spiritual life.  The Church Father, Augustine, said that "to profess to love God while leading an unholy life is the worst of falsehoods."  William Jenkyn above pointed out that it is in the winds of life that we find hypocrisy's weakness.

"Hypocrisy is the loudest lie," said George Swinnock.  Anglican Bishop J.C. Ryle, offered that "The hypocrite will have the lowest place in hell."  John Trapp wrote that "we must not think to dance with the devil all day and sup with Christ at night."

What does God think?  Listen to the words of Christ Himself, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocries!  You give a tenth of your spices --- mint, dill, and cummin.  But you have neglected the more important matters of the Law --- justice, mercy, and faithfulness.  You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former."  (Matthew 23:23)

So what does all this mean this week?  It means that we must "walk the walk if we're going to talk the talk!"  We must avoid hypocrisy at all costs.  People of God MUST integrate their faith into every crevice of life: every action and thought must be judged by the question "Is this in keeping with everything I know and have experienced of God?"  We MUST live like God's people!

The famous actor Robert Redford was walking one day through a hotel lobby. A woman saw him and followed him to the elevator. "Are you the real Robert Redford?" she asked him with great excitement. As the doors of the elevator closed, he replied, "Only when I am alone!"

Ask God to help you be "real" this week.  Remember---what we practice we believe.....everything else is just talk!  Walk the walk!

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2000

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold."  ---Proverbs 22:1 


     An old story from France told that as the Emperor Napoleon was presiding over his Army's discipline one day, a particularly interesting case was presented to him for adjudication.  When an accused soldier appeared before the great leader, Napoleon asked the soldier his name.  The only reply from the man was a barely audible mumble.  The question was repeated and once again the man's only utterance was a mumble.  "Speak up, man," the Emperor shouted!  Sheepishly, the soldier stated, "Napoleon is my name."  "Sir," said the monarch emphatically, "either change your behavior or change your name!"

    All of us have names, titles, and descriptions which identify us to the world and link us to families, friends, and commitments.  However, it is the nature and quality of daily conduct that becomes the distinguishing factor for most people.  Our reputation and "good name" take a good deal of time to develop in most instances, but they may be lost in a singular act of stupidity or an instant of thoughtlessness!

    The writer of Proverbs knew that in life, nothing can substitute for a good name or impeccable reputation.  A good name is inseparable from one's good actions.  As we lives our lives in this coming week, we will make daily installments on our reputations.  Maintaining a good name requires constant vigilance and constant attention to the details of living.  None of us can settle for anything less than a sterling reputation!

    Be careful this week.  There are a thousand ways in which to make your name dirty.  Nothing can be an adequate substitute for a life of high values, unimpeachable character, or unassailable integrity!

    Some American leaders in business and government are in the twilight of their careers and are said to be focusing now on their legacies.  They will find out that the all-seeing eye of history and reputation will view them very differently than they think.  More than the last few months of responsibility, they will be judged by the bulk of their lives and service.  Their legacies will have much more to do with how they lived daily life than a single, momentary event.  Repeated lapses in judgment or character cannot be erased by spin-meisters and a few well-chosen words.  Reputation is earned and a good name must be earned and reverified daily!

    God bless you this week --- and may He grant you the wisdom and fortitude to keep your name truly "good."  Remember --- you are building a reputation, so make it one of quality and one that will last!

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2000

"Is any among you sick?  Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.  And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."    --- James 5:14-15 (NKJV)


    Ever notice how much the word "faith" comes up in conversation and in the media?  We use "faith" to mean "religious preference" as when we ask, "What is your faith?"  We use it to cover that unseen area of life's possibilities we cannot control as when we flippantly offer the semi-encouraging, "Hang in there --- just have faith!"  We also use "faith" these days (as in "I have my OWN faith!)  to connote the personalized religion we concoct internally to fend off the theological advances by others who seek to engage us in conversations and exchanges.  For too many of us, the word "faith" has suffered the same fate as the word "love."  It is an all-purpose word that can mean just about anything we want.......sort of a "one size fits all."

    Biblical faith, on the other hand, is not so inconsequential or general.  It is tied to daily life and performance.  It assumes that internal belief leads to external action!  It is so powerful that its effects are both seen and unseen, detectable and undetectable.  Perhaps the poster I saw years ago has it right: "What we practice, we believe----everything else is just talk!"

    True faith is more than my individualized, personal prejudice.  It is a living trust and confidence in God.  It comes unseen through God's Spirit, but it has marvelous and life-changing repercussions!  As in the verse above, faith in the Sovereign God with Whom we life in solemn covenant can heal the human body of disease and heal the human heart from sin.  It is a significant cleansing force that restores us inside and out!

    Genuine faith is not a "shot in the dark" or "hoping against hope."  It is trust in our God and reliance upon Him and His Word.  It leads us to rely upon His promises and obey His commands.  It makes us regard all His children as our family, and all the world as His arena of action.

    Because of that, faith leads to a change in the way we live.  It means that we attempt great things for God because faith allows us to see what can be with God's help.  Faith sees what is not because true faith's God makes all things possible!  People who have that kind of faith truly move mountains of doubt, despair, and opposition.  No hurdle is too great for faith in God!

    During World War II, psychologist E. Paul Torrance made a study of United States aces flying in the Pacific theater of operations. He reported that the most salient characteristic of the ace was his risk-taking ability.  Throughout his life, he had kept testing the limits of his abilities.  And the life histories of these men showed that they were highly resistant to accidents, and in combat they suffered fewer casualties than pilots who were inclined to play it safe.  Dr. Torrance said, "Living itself is a risky business. If we spent half as much time learning how to take risks as we spend avoiding them, we wouldn't have nearly so much to fear in life."

    This week all of us will have numerous opportunities to "live by faith."  We can give in to our fears and despairs, or we can trust God and live life fully!   Live by faith this week......faith in God and faith in His Word.  Trust Him when you understand and when you do not.  Simply trust Him and rely upon Him.  In a week, you'll be amazed at what He did with you in just seven days.  God bless you as you life the "faith life," the life of trust.


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2000

The Christian faith, like anything else of exquisite value, is only pursued with great sacrifice.  The freedom we enjoy as Americans comes to us as a legacy of a great price paid by each generation before us.  The large and small privileges that have accrued to today's young people comes with the price having been paid by the preceding generation's resources.  Even the wide array of choices today for countless African-Americans came, in no small measure, due to a Christian lady, Rosa Parks, who refused to sit in the back of the bus.  There simply are NO free lunches in this world or the next!

    The problem for most of us is that we want the benefits without all the sacrifice and hard work!  True enough, for Christians, that we cannot save ourselves nor merit God's love and forgiveness.  However, the grace which we receive so quickly comes with the legacy of Calvary: pain, separation, and death!  The appropriate response in life for us must be obedience and discipleship.  We MUST pay any price, go any distance, and bear any burden in order to do God's will and live a life for Christ!  We're too much like children who want someone else to pay the ticket.

    A mother was preparing pancakes for her 2 sons, the older 5 and the younger 3.  The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake.  Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson.  "If Jesus were sitting here," she said, "he would say 'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.'"  Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, "Ryan, YOU be Jesus!"

    The apostles were not men who shunned sacrifice.  Though they did have moral failures of their own (like Simon Peter for instance), they lived in the wonder and power of the risen Christ carrying the Gospel to the far-flung reaches of the world.  As heralds of the Good News, they suffered for their faith and most often met violent deaths because of their bold witness and lives.

    Consider their fates.........

Peter and Paul - both were martyred in Rome about 66 A.D. during persecution under Emperor Nero.  Paul was beheaded.  Peter was crucified, and legend has it that his crucifixion was upside down at his request because he did not believe he was worthy of dying in the same manner as his Lord.

Andrew - preached in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey, and in the "land of the man-eaters" or what is now Russia.  Christians there claim him as the first to bring the Gospel to their land.  Legend has him being crucified in Greece.

Thomas - the "doubter" was probably most active in the area east of Syria.  Tradition has him preaching in India, where the ancient Marthoma Christians claim him as their founder.  They believe he died there when pierced through with the spears of four soldiers.

Philip - possibly had a powerful ministry in Carthage North Africa and then in Asia Minor.  There he supposedly converted the wife of a Roman proconsul, who in retaliation had him arrested and cruelly put to death.

Matthew - the tax collector and writer of the gospel book bearing his name went to Persia and Ethiopia.  Some legends say he was not martyred while others say he was stabbed to death in Ethiopia.

Bartholomew - had widespread missionary activity, according to tradition, ranging from India with Thomas, to Armenia, and also to Ethiopia and Southern Arabia.  Several versions exist of his demise.......all as a martyr for the Gospel.

James, son of Alphaeus - is one of at least three of the name James in the New Testament.  This James is believed to have ministered in Syria.  The Jewish historian, Josephus, reported that James was stoned and then clubbed to death.

Simon the Zealot - according to legend, ministered in Persia and was martyred after refusing to sacrifice to the sun god.

Matthias - was the apostle chosen to replace Judas.  Tradition has him in Syria with Andrew and to death by burning.

John - is the only one of the apostles who seems to have died a natural death from old age.  He was the leader of the Church in Ephesus and is said to have taken care of Mary the mother of Jesus in his home, as was assigned to him by Christ.  He was exiled to the island of Patmos during the persecution of Domitian in the middle A.D. 90's, and there he received the Revelation from God which resulted in the last book of the New Testament.  One legend has it that in old age his disciple, Polycarp, would bring him to the Church assembly and John could only speak over and over, "Brethren, love one another!"  An early Latin legend has him escaping unhurt after being cast into boiling oil in Rome.

    Few of us this week will be called upon to attain that level of sacrifice.  However, ALL of us will be called upon to selflessly follow the Savior wherever He leads.  What will we do?  What we MUST do is to present ourselves as a sacrifice to God and let Him use us in His Kingdom's work right where we are.  May God Himself empower you by His Spirit to do just that!


"I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."   --- Romans 12:1-2 (NAS)