Showing Mercy
This morning I was part of a practice run for an upcoming “FaceBook Live” presentation on West Nile Virus. I will be interviewed, along with Dr. Tony Pierson (my hospitalist) and a representative from Larimer County Health Department. The presentation will be next Thursday, I will share details in a few days.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “…keep yourselves in the love of God, expecting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. Have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” Jude 21-23 HCSB
Jude’s short letter is a warning for those who would use God’s grace as a license to sin and an admonition for believers to “contend for the faith” and to “build up” their faith through the power of the Holy Spirit.
What stands out in the final verses of this letter is the focus on mercy. First of all those who maintain their love for God, can expect mercy that grants eternal life. This is set in contrast to those Jude describes as, “..denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord….these dreamers likewise defile their flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme glorious ones….These are the ones who are like dangerous reefs at your love feasts. They feast with you, nurturing only themselves without fear.“ (Jude 4,8,12 HCSB)
It is as if Jude is saying, “regardless of the lifestyle, attitudes and actions of others, keep on loving Jesus.” This is not to create as sense of spiritual pride, but confidence in the Lord’s mercy.
Jude continues and shows that those who have received mercy are to show mercy to others. James (Jude’s brother) warned in his letter, “…judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.“ (James 2:13 NIV)
Even though Jude is clear that judgment awaits those who in their arrogance deny the Lord and reject His pleas, those who love the Lord, they are to show mercy. First of all mercy is to be shown “those who doubt.” Our job is not to “condemn” those are rejecting the Lord or do not have a full understanding of the gospel. We are to remember that as the Lord was patient and merciful to us, so we are to be with others.
Jude also says our job is not to “condone.” “…have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” Once again, even those living in rebellion and facing God’s judgment are not to be objects of disrespect. We are called to be agents of reconciliation. As Paul said, “God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them.” (2 Corinthians 5:19 NIV) But at the same time we are to make a clear distinction between God’s love for the person as we understand His disapproval of their actions.
Prayer for today… Lord, thank you that we can “expect” mercy when we love You and that we can “have” mercy toward others. Help us to not only be “grace” extenders, but encourage others with Your “mercy.” For those who feel that they “can’t be forgiven” Your mercy gives life and hope, because “you don’t treat us as our sins deserve.”