Love and Justice

I heard someone give an explanation and difference between mercy and grace on the weekend. He said, “When you get stopped for speeding by a police officer, If he let’s you go without giving you a speeding ticket…that’s mercy. But if he gives you the ticket which you deserve, and then pays it for you…that’s grace.”

I think that’s a great illustration. But let’s take it a little further. You see, if we say to the police officer, “I know I broke the law, but please be merciful to me and don’t fine me”, we are not only asking for the officer to show mercy, but we are asking the police officer to either ignore the law…or, to break the law that he is bound to uphold. That puts a little different spin on it, and we can see that this puts the officer in a very awkward position. Because we broke the law…and now in a sense, I’m asking the police officer to break the law as well, by turning a blind eye to my disobedience.

In the same way, when we ask God to ignore and overlook our sins…to be merciful to us. We are asking Him to show love without justice. This same God who has said things like:

“The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God” (Psalm9:17).

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth” (Rom 1:18).

“the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience” (Eph 5:6, Col 3:6).

“the soul who sins shall die”(Eze 18:4).

And of course, we could say “yes, that is what I want. I want God’s love and not His justice…I want Him to overlook my sins.” But there’s another problem. God also said, “He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD” (Prov 17:15 ESV).
In other words, we are asking God to become an abomination by justifying the wicked! God can not ignore His divine justice and instead choose to execute divine love and mercy. Sin and wickedness has been committed against God and a price must be paid. God is perfect justice and righteousness while being perfect love and mercy. So how do we get out of this mess?

The illustration about the speeding ticket that I heard on the weekend got me remembering another story I read many years ago by John MacArthur.

Satisfying Love and Law
Tribes once roamed the Soviet expanse much like Indian tribes roamed the Americas. The tribes that controlled the best hunting grounds and the choicest natural resources had the strongest and wisest leaders. I heard about one particular tribe whose success
was due to the fairness and wisdom of the laws that their great leader made and enforced. His word was law. One of his greatest laws was that parents must be loved and honored. Other laws included murder as punishable by death, and stealing required severe punishment.

The tribe was prospering greatly when a disturbing thing began to occur. Someone in the tribe was stealing. It was reported to the great leader. He sent out a proclamation that when the thief was caught, he would receive ten lashes from the tribal whip master. The thievery continued despite the warnings, so he raised the punishment to twenty. Still it continued, so he raised it to thirty. Finally he raised it to forty. He knew that only one person in the tribe could survive such a severe lashing--himself.

Eventually the thief was caught. To the horror of everyone, it was the great leader's own aged mother. The people wondered what the leader would do. His law said that parents were to be loved and honored, yet thieves were to be whipped. Great arguments arose as the day of judgment approached. Would he satisfy his love and save his mother, or would he satisfy his law and watch his mother die under the whip? Soon tribal members were divided--they even bet on what he would do.

Finally the day came. The tribe gathered around the great compound. In the center was a large post driven into the ground. The leader's great throne sat in the place of
prominence. With great pomp and ceremony the leader entered and took his place on the throne. The silence was deafening. His frail little mother was led into the compound between two towering warriors. They tied her to the post. The crowd murmured in debate: will he satisfy his love at the expense of his law, or his law at the expense of his love? The tribal whip master entered carrying a long leather whip. He was a powerful man with bulging muscles. As he approached the little woman, the warriors ripped her shirt off, exposing her frail little back to the cruelty of the lash. Everyone gasped. Was the leader really going to let her die?

The leader sat staring without moving. All eyes darted from him to the whip master and back again. The whip master took his stance, his great arm cracked the whip in the air as he prepared to bring the first lash upon her.

Just as the whip master started to bring his powerful arm forward with the first cutting stroke, the leader held up his hand to halt the punishment. A sigh of relief went up from the tribe. His love would be satisfied. But what about his law?

The leader rose from his throne and strode toward his mother. As he walked he removed his own shirt, throwing it aside. He then wrapped his great arms around his mother, exposing his huge muscular back to the whip master. Breaking the heavy silence he commanded, "Proceed with the punishment." Thus both his law and his love were satisfied.

Romans 6:23 says, "The wages of sin is death." Jesus
wrapped His arms around you. He satisfied His love--He enabled us to escape God's wrath. He satisfied His law--He paid the penalty for sin. That's the genius of God and the gift of salvation.

Therefore we have such precious verses like:

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, (1Peter3:18).

“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life”(Rom 5:8-10).

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God”(2Co 5:21 ESV).

Praise be to God the Father in and through Jesus Christ…THIS IS GRACE!

A Celebration of All That Is Evil

As we see ourselves once again approaching one of the most celebrated days on the calendar...new horror movies released...every channel on TV has Halloween programs...the lawns and houses are decked out with anything that is scary, gruesome, horrific, and evil.
Most of us are well aware of the history behind Halloween, and where many of the characters and customs come from. The pagan beliefs and holidays of witchcraft, Satanism, evil spirits, animal and human sacrifice. We know that this world in which we live is evil, hostile towards God, and the powers of darkness are at work. So it shouldn’t surprise us that a day like Halloween would be so popular.

For some, who are enthralled with violence, blood, and mysticism, it is not a time where they put a mask on, but rather, they get to take their mask off and be who they really are. For others, they may not even really know why it is such a fascinating time for them, but get excited with this dark and magical time. For many, they just see it as a piece of history, excitement, laugher and pranks, just some innocent fun. However, all who do not know Jesus Christ.

For the Christian, there should be more discernment. We are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 “ but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” In this day of obvious darkness, we are asked in 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 “ Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?” And we must know that this type of celebration cannot be glorying to God – 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Of course, there are those professing Christians who don’t believe that it has any effect on them, and that they are not only strong enough to resist any evil effect, they have the freedom and grace to participate in them. But the Bible is not just full of helpful suggestion for the believer, but commands. Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
In Deuteronomy 18:9-14, God told the people NOT to get involved in what the pagan nation did (witchcraft, sorcery, fortune telling, detestable practices), and would not hold them blameless if they did. 3 John 1:11 tells us “Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good.”

How about our children? When teaching them to dress up and participate in this dark occasion, are we “Training up our child in the way he should go?” (Proverbs 22:6). I have heard of children who were first introduced to magic games, sorcery, and gore at Halloween time. Which, for years led them down a dark path of sin. (Matthew 18:6 – “ but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”)

Allot of churches have begun offering an alternative to Halloween, such as a harvest party. Although, for most farmers, the harvest parties have long come and gone. And, unless you are directly involved in farming, it becomes quite obvious to everyone, including the children, that this is a substitute for Halloween. This way, no one feels like they are missing out. I m not so sure that this is a good alternative either, as small portions of the various Halloween activities find their way into many of these church harvest party celebrations. If nothing else, the message the celebration itself brings to the mind of the child. Every celebration is well understood by children, even we know that they have all become much too commercialized. Although the origins of some of our holidays are also questionable, we know what we are celebrating. Christmas – candy, gifts, getting together for fun and laughter...a celebration of the birth of Christ. Easter – (similar description)...a celebration of the risen Christ. Birthday – (similar description)...a celebration of the birth of someone we love. An anniversary – (similar description)...a celebration of a very special event in our lives. Halloween (witches, ghosts, magic, images of death as tombstones and headless people are displayed on lawns, bloody daggers and axes, vampires, and mayhem) - candy, gifts, getting together for fun and laughter...a celebration of what? A celebration of all that is evil!

One would think that even the unbeliever ...with all the psychiatrists telling our society that a child’s mind is so sensitive that you should not introduce them to anything negative, harsh, or violent, because it could cause last effect upon their minds. And yet somehow, at this time of the year it acceptable. But we, as followers of Jesus Christ, indwelt by The Holy Spirit, must be much more discerning aware of the evil schemes of Satan. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:11-12)

A Sighting of What Was Thought To Be Extinct

No, it wasn’t a fish, a butterfly, or an exotic bird. Although, many have considered a Christian who is obedient and faithful to the will of God to be a “strange bird”.

Witnessing as a relationship began to form a couple of years ago or so, between a young man and a young lady. And, then as some time went by an announcement was made in church...that this couple was entering into a courtship, and wanted to keep themselves accountable to the church. Keeping their parents involved every step of the way. Also, requesting that the Elders of the church would hold them accountable in their actions and behaviours.

Never would anyone see any inappropriate behaviour, comments, or looks that would cause anyone to have concerns if these two found themselves alone. Not that there seemed to be much time out of the public eye, as they knew that no one is exempt from temptation when placed in the wrong environment. Two people that kept themselves apart and yet it looked as though their hearts were closer than most people you see in this so called “dating” culture that we are in.

Eventually we heard the announcement, they were engaged. At this point, I believe some would have expected a frequent display of smooching, hugging, and the usual draping over each other. However, the same care and discipline continued on. What an odd pair of birds these were. Seeing so many other couples in this stage of their relationship, like doves among seagulls.

I’m sure though, that some would have thought to themselves, “it’s a fine public display, but what goes on in private we can’t see”. Well, the day of the wedding came, and what a fine wedding it was. For the wedding was saturated with Jesus Christ...hmmm...just as their relationship had been. Their discipline with each other, and their discipline in attending the weekly Bible Study, teaching Sunday School, and involvement in the ministries of the church. Does not sound like typical young people. However, here they were, standing at the altar, and beyond their desire for each other and for this day of marriage to come...they had a desire that the gospel would be shared this day. Then...then, it was also shared that this couple had made a covenant with each other. A covenant, that they would only have their first kiss on their wedding day.

In our day and age, this is rarely seen even among so-called Christian youth. All the glory belongs to our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ. But all the commandments and all the power is there in the Word of God, it just requires that we believe God, and are faithful to His Word. So many young people give into temptation because they want to live as close to the edge as possible, and eventually fall. And so many times you hear the justifying comments, "well, we plan on getting married anyway and will be husband and wife". But you just don't know. Many couples end up taking a half a dozen ex boyfriends and girlfriends into their marriage with them. And they not only carry the memories and emotions with them, they also leave something of themselves behind. And may have robbed someone else of that first kiss, which should have been reserved.

May God give us many more of these birds that many though were extinct. But there has been a sighting of a couple, and they were beautiful. A pure white flowing gown, and finally a beautiful and honest example of what the bride of Christ, the Church, is in Jesus Christ. That Jesus Christ alone would be praised and glorified even in these two. Even so, that this union would be blessed and sanctified as it speaks louder of the worth of Christ than that of many preachers or the empty words of professing believers.

2Ti 2:22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Heb 13:4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

1Co 7:1-2 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman." But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.

Pro 5:15-20 Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love. Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress?

Someone called “Jesus”

• Who is this man who is called Jesus Christ? And if we started taking away from the things He did and the work He accomplished, at what point would we no longer be talking about the Jesus Christ of Scripture?
  Take any historical figure. Remove all of his history and begin rewriting the things that he did. Are you then still talking about the same person, even if you’re still using the same name?
  At times of the year such as Christmas and Easter, we probably see this more obviously than any other time of the year. Although, talk freely about Jesus Christ any time of the year and we will find a Christ that is quite different than the Christ of the Bible. And if anyone has a proper understanding of the Bible, you will see that there isn’t a single book of the Bible which does not point to Jesus Christ. Whether directly, or in illustrations, types, shadows, or prophesies.
  
  Discussions this Christmas has made all this quite apparent again. I am told it is not important or vital for someone to believe in the incarnation of Christ. That God became man, while still remaining God. And that one can be a Christian and still believe that Jesus was just a good man that God decided to adopt, or an angel, or that Jesus was born of a virgin, or whether he was born at all but possibly just appeared, or if he was born sinless, or whatever. As long as you believe that a Jesus died for your sins, well...the rest is just optional to one’s preference, as long as you believe he is in your heart.
  
  What about:
  · In the Trinity of the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
  · That all things were created by God, through and for Jesus Christ, as the Holy Spirit moved।
  · It was man that had sinned and it was man that was separated from God, and He will not clear the guilty.
  · Man is not good. All he does apart from Christ is like filthy rags. Man is sinful by nature and by choice.
  · Jesus Christ became a real person. A sinless perfect man so that He could be the perfect sacrifice for man and shed His blood.
  · Jesus Christ was man, so that He could take the punishment that man deserved upon Himself. But He was still God, and in receiving the complete wrath of God the Father for the sins of His people, it was only the God-man that could withstand the wrath of God.
  · Jesus Christ became a man in flesh, from conception, birth and through life. So that He would be a substitute, for it was man that had sinned, and God could not shed blood.
  · Jesus Christ had to be God the Son to be an acceptable sacrifice. For He was more valuable than all of humanity put together.
  · Jesus Christ had to be God, for He was the only one who could truly give His life. All of man’s life is borrowed to, and is not his to give.
  · Jesus Christ was the God-man. As man, He was able to take all the sins of His people upon Himself. And as God He paid for those sins and presented His people forgiven and justifies before the Father.
  · Jesus Christ was God who lived a complete human life with all of its temptations and weaknesses. He was neither born in sin nor did He ever commit a sin. As a perfect sinless man He was able to transfer His righteous and sinless life unto His people. And they stand acceptable before the Father.
  · Jesus Christ as God and man, now sits at the right hand of the Father and is the mediator between God and man.
  · Jesus Christ as man, knows all of our weaknesses and frailties, is able to sympathize and help us in our trouble. As God He sends His Holy Spirit within us to guide, instruct, and empower us to live a Holy life in ongoing sanctification.
  · Jesus Christ, upon going back to the Father, He sent another comforter (The Holy Spirit-another helper of the same kind). He not only comforts us, but regenerates His believers. Makes His people a new creation, who not only is able to live for God, but wholly desires to.
  
  All this is only the tip of the iceberg of Jesus Christ. So my question is: How much of who Jesus is, what He has done, and the work He continues to do, can we take away before we are no longer talking about the Jesus Christ of the Bible?