Two Sides of a Coin

A coin only has value when it is intact. A coin cut in half doesn't have half the value, it has no value for its intended purpose. So it seems with Faith and Obedience. 

Jesus said: “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? LUKE 6:46

Faith calls us into a different way of being. 

Jesus went on to say: "As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”  LUKE 6:47-49

Of course faith gives peace and the confident hope in eternity, knowing that our sins have been paid for. Faith also calls us to obedience, not to earn salvation, rather in joyful response to it. Paul talks about it as "the obedience of faith." They are intricately connected. 

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, ROMANS 1:1-6 

Through Jesus we received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith. When asked “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  

Love God AND Love your neighbor as yourself

When we love another, we desire the best for them. I think of parents raising a child, providing all that is needed for the child to thrive, provisions of food, clothing, shelter, nurture through interaction, education and accountability. All of this comes in the context of relationship.  

It is impossible to love another if we are not in relationship with them, and so BEING the neighbor is at the heart of obedience. 

In what way is the Lord challenging you to BE a neighbor today? 

He is Kind to the Ungrateful and Wicked

For the last many months I've been thinking about the postures of Jesus. I deliberately began paying attention to the ways in which he is present in different situations, with the hope that I will be shaped to approach people with the same posture. 

In my reading of Luke 6 this morning, as I read on blessings and woes, and love for enemies, Jesus says of the Most High (God): 

"...he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." LUKE 6:35-56

OK... OUCH! 

Once again God's mercy challenges me! God does not pour out what the ungrateful and wicked deserve; rather he is kind and merciful. God furnishes what is needed, exercising compassion.  

I see Jesus on the cross, saying "Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they are doing. And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching and the rulers even sneered at him."  LUKE 23:34-35

How does this affect my daily posture? 

• Instead of responding with resentment when people are ungrateful; exercise compassion
• Instead of responding with judgment and condemnation towards those whose conduct is outright wicked, exercise compassion and seek to understand. 

The words of Paul come to mind as he write about love in action" 

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  ROMANS 12:9-21

Lord, when my gut reaction is towards resentment, when I'm inclined to be cynical, snarky, or sarcastic; when my inclination is towards judgement and condemnation... I pray for your Holy Spirit to remind me of YOUR MERCY!  While I was still a sinner, Christ died for me... for the ungodly.  

We're all a work in progress!  I'd love to hear how this speaks to you today?