Mercy is Greater

Money and monetary gifts are important as they allow the acquisition of other things. In the gift giving seasons, we make it a habit to give expensive items to “show” how much we care for the other. Where it is good and right to “show” that we care for others and provide for their monetary needs, it is their other needs that should be of more concern for us.

“²³Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. ²⁴You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!” — Matthew 23:23-24 (ESV)

Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees here and giving them a basic scolding on the lack of actions that they take while telling others they should be more mindful to do the right things. Jesus is explaining to them that they are the proverbial “do as I say” people. In the above verses, Jesus exclaims the woe in their actions of giving some “monetary” gifts (as spices where used as currency in this time) and yet they were neglecting the more thoughtful and useful gifts of justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

It is easy to simply “cut a check” for something and difficult to provide something more. I look at those who do charity work and those who are credited with charity work. Those donors are celebrated for providing for the charity work to be done, yet when the work really needs to be done, they are off jet setting around the world and are not bothered with getting their hands dirty. Those who do the work are struggling to get by financially, but are living the high life thanks to their giving of themselves and the fulfillment that comes with it.

Now I am not saying that the giving monetarily is not needed, as I noted above, this is how the purchase of goods and services come about. But as Jesus says, “the weightier matters of the law; justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” It is the giving of these gifts to support the whole of the others that is more important than the monetary.

Mercy is better than money. Justice is better than money. Faithfulness is better than money. Each of these provide more to the individual than money and they demonstrate more thoughtful and sincere giving than just cutting the check. I have to remember to give of myself and not just of my pocketbook. I have to provide for the other needs of the individual and not just the monetary needs.

What gifts have you given simply because they were easy? Are you neglecting the other needs of the individuals? What if you gave the easy and then provided for the more difficult “weightier matters” in the individual’s lives, “justice and mercy and faithfulness”?

Mercy is God’s Not Man’s

It is more important to follow the law if God as opposed to the law of man. Yes, I have a responsibility to do that which is right under the law and a large amount of the time following the law of man is going to align with the law of God. It is in those times where there is conflict between the two that I have to remember to follow the law of God and whatever consequences come from man as a result, I will endure for what was done was right under the law of God which is above the law of man. Mercy is God’s and falls under His law as opposed to man’s.

I am reading this morning in the book of Matthew and the passage titled in my bible “Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath”. In those days, the Sabbath was a sacred day and doing work was not permitted. The people were expected to sacrifice their physical well being by fasting on this day in observance of the LORD. Yet, the priests were somehow allowed carry on as usual. The priests were above (or rather the exception to) the law of man.

When Jesus came, all changed for man. Now Jesus represented the law and it was not the following of the law of man that mattered, but following the law of God. No longer was the Sabbath a day of sacrifice, it was a day of observance and glory to the God. Following the law of God, meant doing the work of God, and in that work, there is mercy and service for those in need.

“¹At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. ²But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, ‘Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath’…’⁷And if you had known what this means, “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,” you would not have condemned the guiltless. ⁸For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.’” — Matthew 12:1-2 & 7-8 (ESV)

Now, the Sabbath is the day of observance and glory to God and I should be focused on Him during this time, however, I also have an obligation to serve and provide mercy to those in need. It is in that service that I am providing the glory to God and doing his will. I have to remember that all I do is for Him and not for me. By providing the mercy to others, I have opened the door for mercy to be given to me when I am in need.

I am bound to the law of God and less so the law of man. Where the two intersect, that is a great thing. I, however should not be looking fully to the intersection and focus my attention on the law of God and doing His will. Mercy is that place where God’s law stands above man’s law. Providing for others is fully in line with God and I have to be looking for those chances regardless of when or where they might lie in the relation to the world and man’s view.

What are you doing that aligns with God’s law? Are you more interested in doing that which is right in eyes of man? What if you were to provide for others by serving and giving out mercy to do the will of God and focusing on doing that which is right in the eyes of God as opposed to man?

To Whom to Delve Out Mercy

I was recently watching the news related to the 2024 election cycle and was impressed with the candidate who took time to engage and interact with those supporting the other party. He was there to understand and learn from them. What I learned here is that I have to step out away from those who are like me and into the environment where I can meet and interact with those who are in need of what the LORD has for them and work to fulfill the work He has for me.

“¹⁰And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. ¹¹And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’” — Matthew 9:10-11 (ESV)

Jesus regularly went to where the people were, regardless of who those people were. He traveled with His disciples, yet spent time with those who were not exactly of like mind. He was there for the people and not the other way around. Yes, there were those moments when Jesus met with and counseled His disciples to ensure that they were learning and preparing to take over when His time was done, but the bulk of His time was spent with those in need and not those of like mind.

“¹²But when he heard it, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ¹³Go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.’” — Matthew 9:12-13 (ESV)

Jesus taught me that those who are in need of mercy are those who are lost. Those who are like me are not regularly in need on mercy (although God provides it when needed) for they are the ones doing the work of God as they have received Him already. I have to remember to engage with those in need as Jesus says in verse 13 above, “For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners”. “Those who are well have not need of a physician, but those who are sick.” In order for me to bring mercy to those in need, I have to engage with those in need.

Now, as I mentioned above, Jesus did meet with and work with His disciples to counsel, teach, and prepare them for what lie ahead, but He was focused on spreading the Gospel to those in need. In my career as a training professional, it is important that I work with my peers to counsel, teach, and prepare them (as well as learn from them), yet I have to spend the bulk of my time working with those in need of my educational services. I have to bring them the growth and learning that will help them.

I have to remember to delve out mercy to those in need of it and that is going to be those who are a little (or even a lot) less like me. I have to step into those environments and bring what the LORD has for me to bring into them. I have to let them know that the LORD loves and has compassion for them and wants nothing but the best for them.

What about you, where are you spreading mercy? Are you finding yourself continually in the environments of those who are like you? What if you where to step out into the environments of those who are not like you to delve out mercy to those who may not be aware it is available and are in need of it?

Sinners, Hearts at Odds

I hear all the time about the squirrels out there that bounce from item to item as they are distracted by the next shiny thing. It is our focus as man that gives us the ability to complete tasks efficiently and effectively. The challenge we have as man is that our mind is one place and our hearts are another and that puts us at odds.

“¹What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?” — James 4:1 (ESV)

Here I see that we as man are sinners as we are not following one path, but multiple ones and that may be the thing that causes us to sin as we are not focused on the one thing in our heart that is righteous. It is the heart that should be directing me. I have long said and will continue to do so as relates to a career, “do what you love doing and find a way to monetize it”. Well, finding what you love requires the heart, and that is where we have to begin to remove that which is at odds.

“⁸Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” — James 4:8 (ESV)

Alignment and focus of purpose. I have to start with my heart and then align the rest of me with my heart. What better place to align than with Christ. I have to go through the process of purifying my heart to Christ. Once I have done so, I will have the opportunity to align the rest of me there.

I have been given the gift of salvation, and where that does not remove the sin from me, it does give me direction and alignment. I am still a sinner and always will be, but I have to do the work to avoid sin. It starts in my heart. I have to remember that I have been given this salvation and forgiveness and I have to embrace that salvation and forgiveness to move forward with God’s plan for me. I have to focus on Him and the work for Him and that will aid me in avoiding the sin that plagues me. I have to remain vigilant with the work and not allow myself to become idle so that my mind can wander into the desires of the world as it those desires that lead to sin.

“¹⁴But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. ¹⁵Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” — James 1:14-15 (ESV)

I have to remember to stay aligned. I have to start with my heart that has been given to God. Once I am focused there, I must bring my mind into the work to guide my actions that are done with my hands. All of this will then work to remove the “at odds” in me and I will be more able to actively avoid sins. I will still sin, but my sin will not be active and will be greatly reduced and, I am still responsible for the repentance of those sins that I was unaware.

What is the status on your inner self? Is your heart, head, and hands pulling you in different directions? What if gave your heart to God and aligned the rest of you there?

Paul and Me, Sinners Saved by Grace

God sent His son Christ Jesus to save sinners. He came for me and the worst of us. Paul was one of the worst.

“¹⁵The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” — 1 Timothy 1:15 (ESV)

I am a sinner yes, and all of my sins are egregious as all sin is. Whether little white lies or those that are in direct disobedience to the ten commandments, all sin is terrible in the eyes of God. At this moment, I want to talk about in the eyes of man. Make no mistake, I am not condoning any sin and know that God looks at things much differently than man.

Paul (at the time known as Saul) was one of the worst sinners in this world. He was a direct persecutor of those who followed and believed in Jesus as the Messiah. He tracked them down and stoned or killed them just for what they believed. In the eyes of man, Paul was an awful person.

“¹²I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, ¹³though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, ¹⁴and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Timothy 1:12-14 (ESV)

Jesus came for Paul and in His great wisdom and plan, provided the grace needed for Paul to turn to Him and become one of the greatest advocates and apostles to the gospel. Paul was seen as a sinner by God, no different than me. I have every opportunity to do the same or at least to the work that God has for me and in the eyes of man, am not as awful as Paul, so I should have even more opportunity.

Now I want to shift back to the grace of God and share my thoughts on His perspective. Paul and I are the same. We are both sinners who need the grace God has to provide. We both are not deserving, yet God provides for us despite our sin. Whether persecuting followers of Christ or lying to a neighbor, both of us find ourselves in the same room as sinners in need of grace.

God looks at the man (or woman) not the sin. He has to or else He would not be able to look at any of us. He takes us for who we are warts and all. He love us and came to save us despite what we have done and/or will do. Paul and I, where in the eyes of man are vastly different, in the eyes of God, we are the same. And that is what and where it counts. God loves me and came for me, the sinner.

What is your belief in the grace that is provided by God? Is one deserving of grace more than another based on the sins committed? What if you were to recognize that we are all the same in the eyes of God, sinners, and we all receive grace despite the sin we have or will commit, and we only need to accept?

The Law is for Sinners

“⁸Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully,…¹¹in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.” — 1 Timothy 1:8 & 11 (ESV)

Except for those policy making outliers, the law is constructed for those who are sinners to adhere. I am a sinner and am therefore subject to the law in my actions in this world. I do have a caveat to go along with that as I am not subject to the law of man as I am a follower of Christ and am therefor held to the law of God instead. The law of God is greater than the law of man and when following the law of God, I will certainly follow the law of man except where it is at odd with God.

The law, as noted in verse eight above, “is good, if one uses it lawfully”. Lawfully in this instance I believe means in accordance with God’s law as noted in verse 11 above. As a sinner saved by grace and forgiven, I choose to follow the law “in accordance with the gospel”, and therefore will by extension follow the law of man. The law of man was made for those who need guidance and are not in line with God.

“⁹understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,” — 1 Timothy 1:9-10 (ESV)

I know what may be thought when reading the above and comparing those “crimes” listed to those who profess to be Christians, “so ‘Christians’ are not held to the same crimes as others, there are plenty ‘Christians’ that have been found guilty of those exact crimes”. Yes, it is true that Christians have been caught up in the crimes identified above, and for that they are to be disciplined for those crimes. Christians are sinners like everyone else. And yes, there will be those times when we fall to the traps of the evil one. The difference is that I know that I am a sinner and should be doing all that is within me to avoid those crimes knowing that they are outside the law of God. When I am following the law of God, I should not be actively committing those crimes, remember the ten commandments at a minimum.

The law is for sinners like me. No matter that I have accepted Christ as my savior or not, I am still a sinner and am subject to the law of this world, except where that law is at odds with God. I am held to the standard of God’s Law and as His law is greater than the law of this world, by following His law I will by extension follow the law of this world.

What laws are you following? Are you looking to be good according to the law of this world? What if you were to confess, repent, and accept Christ as your savior and follow God’s Law, knowing that His law is greater than the law of this world?

Sinners Yes, Works Don’t Do It

I can do all the works possible, and that will still not give me the salvation or justification in the LORD.

“¹⁶yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” — Galatians 2:16 (ESV)

I have to be careful with how I look at this. It would be easy for me to abandon all good works as they do nothing for me and my salvation is from my acceptance of the gift from Christ and the relationship I have with Him. It is not the works that does it, it is my faith in Him. But, I still have to do the works to demonstrate the love of Christ and to bring the gospel to others to ensure that they have the opportunity to accept the gift of salvation and create a relationship with Christ for themselves.

I cannot go back and think that doing the work will somehow give me more. I am already a sinner and therefor there is no way for me to get out of that. I have to move forward and not go back. But, Jesus will love me always. Whether I am moving forward or falling back, I will still be His. I will not be going back to being a sinner as I never left that identity.

“¹⁷But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not!” — Galatians 2:17 (ESV)

The works I do are as a result of my salvation and not a way to “buy” my salvation. I have to remember my faith in Christ and not look to the works to somehow give me more. I have already received the ultimate gift from Christ and that is in spite of my sin.

Christ died for me and it is my faith in the saving grace He provides that grants me a stay of death myself. My faith is what grants me the justification to be called a child of God. It is not the amount or gravity of the works I do that have any impact on my salvation. I do the works of and for Christ because of my salvation and not to gain salvation. Works don’t do it.

What works are you doing in the world? Are you out there in belief that somehow the more or greater the works, the less of a sinner you are? What if you just had faith in your salvation and did the works to demonstrate that salvation and not to somehow gain salvation as works don’t do it?

Christ Died for Sinners

Jesus came for the sinners and yes, He died for them/us. I forget that Jesus died for me, not as a righteous member of society, but as a sinner headed for a terrible death and eternity in hell.

I think about what it must take to die for someone. Putting one’s life on the line for another person is extraordinary. Fireman running into a burning building. Law enforcement running toward gunshots. Teachers walking into some of the inner city schools. All of these folks put their lives on the line for the good of others. And parents doing all they do to protect a child from any danger, like stepping in front of vehicles to save. Or, shielding a child from any harm at all. I know that I would personally do anything to protect my boys, even die in their place.

All of the above are acted upon for generally the innocent and we as those jumping in, do not even think about the danger to ourselves, we are only focused on the act of helping others. Jesus did that as well, only, I am not so innocent.

“⁷For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— ⁸but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:7-8 (ESV)

My jumping in to protect my boys and those others that rescue the innocent are exceptions to any rule, and that is what I see in verse seven above. It is verse eight that I am fully amazed at. Jesus came to this world to purposefully die for those that are not so innocent. I am a purposeful sinner. I am not the one who happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, I am to blame. Yet, Christ came to die for me.

Jesus came for sinners like me. He came to bring me the gospel. He came to show me the way. He came to provide the opportunity for salvation (yes, provide, not force upon me). Yes, there are those counted as righteous who benefit from the arrival of Christ. And Jesus came to die for them as well as me,

“²³for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23 (ESV)

Yet, it is me, the sinner who is not specifically counted as righteous. Jesus came to die for my sins and knowing even that I will continue to sin even after receiving salvation. He knows me and yet He died for me.

I have to remember daily that Christ came for me and not just to chat with, but to die for. I am the sinner that Christ came for. And so are you. No matter what you have done, Christ knows and forgives you. He came to take your sin with Him on the cross, and he did not meet you in person. Christ chose you and me as the ones He would save through His sacrifice. He died for us.

What are your thoughts of Christ dying for you? Are you like me and cannot believe He would die for you, the sinner? What if you had the faith and hope provided by Christ through His death for you the sinner?

Jesus Came for Sinners

Other than for scheduled yearly checkups, I don’t go to the doctor. I don’t go to the mechanic to have them gaze at my vehicles. I don’t have plumbers come to the house to simply chat. Jesus did not come to this world to engage with the righteous.

Jesus, when He began His ministry, did not go to the temple and find the most righteous there. No, He found fishermen and tax collectors. He found the men that would do the job for Him and not for the sake of the job. These men were sinners and had plenty to learn and were eager to do it. When Jesus asked, they just went without any ask of what was in it for them.

“⁹As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he rose and followed him.” — Matthew 9:9 (ESV)

Jesus came for the sinners not the righteous. That means He came for me. Yes, specifically for me. He knew me and that I needed Him and His salvation. He made sure that I had the opportunity to hear the gospel and that I would find Him as the answer to what I was looking. Jesus came for me.

Since Jesus came for the sinners to ensure they had the opportunity to receive the gospel, shouldn’t I follow His example and do the same. I know that it is easy to go on life and commune with those who are like me. But if Jesus met with sinners on a regular basis to bring them the gospel and salvation, shouldn’t I be willing to do the same. I should fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ and commune with those who are unknown to be.

I have to remember though the reason I am here and that is to bring the example of Christ and the gospel and not judgment or condemnation. It is easy to tell others that they are wrong and that they need what I have, yet that is not what Jesus did as the example of what right looks like. Jesus simply hung with them and demonstrated God’s love every step. He was the bringer of the gospel and offered salvation to all. There was no rebuke of those who would not accept, He simply moved on to the next opportunity. He came for sinners, but did not force them to get on the bus, as in the case with the rich young man who asked what it would take to have eternal life and was unwilling to follow through with the giving away of all of his wealth (Matthew 19:16-30).

Who is it that you commune? Are relegating yourself to only engaging with those who are like you? What if you recognized that you are a sinner, like everyone else, and brought the gospel to them as it was brought to you?

Teach Sinners Do Not Envy Them

Is your neighbor a sinner? Do they have things you feel you should have as well? Are they seemingly always on the winning side of things despite their sinful ways? The answer in short is yes. Mine are the same, and guess what, I am a sinner too. I wrote about being restored first and then teaching others sinners and this is an extension of that study this morning.

“³Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? ⁴Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? ⁵You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” — Matthew 7:3-5 (ESV)

I know, the above passage is about judging others when clearly we are not in the position to do so. It was however the first passage I thought of when reading about envying others for what they have when I am similar to them and should first get my own house in order. I have to remember that I am just as sinful as others and I have to get right first and then, not judge others, but teach them. Not envy them but teach them.

“¹⁷Let not your heart envy sinners,

but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.”

— Proverbs 23:17 (ESV)

Whatever it is in the world, someone else will likely have something that is certainly different and could be more than what we currently have. “The grass is always greener…” This is referring to the idea that what is over there is more than what is right here. Yet, once we get to over there, which then becomes right here, what was is now seen in a different light and become the envy, simply because it is now over there. I know that was a long and confusing circle, but here is the thing I think of, focus on what is in your own back yard and allow that which is not to exist with whose back yard it is currently in. As indicated in the verse above I have to “continue in the fear of the LORD” and not worry with what is not in that scope.

God provides that which I need. Whether it is provision for the sustaining of life here, or the tools and resources to do His work. I have to remember to look to Him for all of it and not look at what others have or the results of their actions and somehow creating a hole in my life. God has provides for His people and that includes me, the sinner. Other sinners are provided for based on their relationship with God. I have to focus on getting my relationship right with Him and then bringing the gospel to others. If those sinners I bring the gospel to see and recognize the need to accept the gift from God, then I have done my part and that will bring joy to the face of God.

What I have is enough. God makes sure of it and what others have are of no consequence to me and my relationship with Christ.

What do you see in those sinners around you that you are envious? Are you more focused on what they have as opposed to what you have? What if you were to simply “continue in the fear of the LORD” and allow Him to provide for you, as a sinner, and then you teach others His way?