Mercy, Not Sacrifice
Hebrews 10: 8-29
We have heard it said, "I don't smoke, curse, or chew; or run
around with women who do." Will somebody please give them a
cookie ... to shut them up? Isn't that a bit like gloating, "I'm
saved and you're not"? I mean, really. Who is he that
condemneth? (Romans 8:34) If you didn't die on the cross, you
don't have the right to condemn anyone.
Or, maybe what they meant was, "Your sin is worse than mine, so
that makes me more righteous than you." But, that isn't true,
either, as all unrighteousness is sin. (I John 5:17)
Perhaps they would like to rephrase their statement to, "Those,
who do so, couldn't possibly be saved." Though, I guess they
weren't listening when God said He doesn't judge the outward
appearance, but looks for their true heart. (I Samuel 16:7)
The next response might be, "Well, if they were following God,
completely, He would remove those demons." Oh, really. Isn't
that a bit like calling the kettle black? How is your back
doing? Did your car breakdown, this week? Maybe your boss is
being particularly difficult. And, oh, those teenagers!
If one had a pure heart for God, wouldn't they love His
children, too? (Jude 1:21-23)
As is often discretely expressed, "Well, they're certainly not
going to serve God, in our church, until they get things right."
But I wonder, did anyone ask God about that? (Romans 11:29)
Jesus described these as sick (Matthew 9:11-13) and said that
befriending them is wisdom; for which these would justify that
wisdom. (Matthew 11:19) Well, there goes the theory that
alcoholics are not sick. Suppose we were to separate from
diabetics, too.
We welcome people, into our congregation, with physical
infirmities. But, let one spiritually handicapped come into our
presence and, at best, we allow them to sit in a pew; separating
from them in the true fellowship that would otherwise come
through serving together, leaving them on the outside looking
in. (I John 1:7)
When we shut the door on those that are spiritually blind,
lame, or sick, do we not realize that is evil? (Malachi 1:8)
Perhaps we also forgot that those we deem more feeble really
are necessary (I Corinthians 12:22) and that, in God's house,
all who have a heart to serve are welcomed. (Isaiah 56:7) Jesus
tells us that mercy is desired more than our sacrifice and to go
learn what that means. (Matthew 9:13)
But, here, Jesus goes a step further by saying, "If ye had
known what this meaneth ... ye would not have condemned the
guiltless." (Matthew 12:7)
There's that condemnation thing, again. Now, wait a minute.
Jesus was referring to Himself, wasn't He? Well, probably, but
not just Him. Think about it. If you had learned what mercy
meant, you would not be condemning others ~ period.
Ok, but the guiltless part ... guiltless? Now, how can sinners
be guiltless? From God's perspective, that's an easy one to
answer.
First, He already told us that man looks upon the outward
appearance. So, when we do, our judging has to be in error.
Secondly, whenever we try to name another's sin, we are only
condemning ourselves. (Romans 2:1)
And thirdly, Jesus left a provision for such as these.
There are many that never gave up on God, no matter what
happened to them. In such cases, they don't drink for the sake
of partying. They do not use tobacco to be cool. They don't over
eat because they like to be fat.
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea,
moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were
sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they
wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute,
afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they
wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of
the earth. (Hebrews 11:36-38)
When you have lost everyone and everything you have ever loved
or placed any faith in (other than God), until another Comforter
comes, (while experiencing your own individual hell) He does not
leave you comfortless. (John 14:16-21)
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed
remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of
the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God,
neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message
that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one
another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his
brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were
evil, and his brother's righteous. (I John 3:9-12)
Fourthly, their distress was not caused by their sin, but
other's.
Perhaps we have forgotten that Jesus was, likewise, accused.
(Matthew 11:19)
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his
death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit
in his mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put
him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin,
he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the
pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of
the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his
knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall
bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion
with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong;
because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was
numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:7-12)
and that those who suffer with Christ will be glorified with
Him. (Romans 8:17)
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come,
who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and
will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall
every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5) Blessed is the
man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Romans 4:8
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I
shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10