Justice, mercy and humility - add up to Tolerance

Today is the United Nations’ (UN) International Day for Tolerance -  a day set aside to make people aware of the need for tolerance towards others and the awful results when intolerance becomes the order of the day. So as you perhaps ponder the ways in which you could be perhaps be a little more tolerant why not think also about the price that has been paid for you to hold the beliefs, live the lives and act as you do today - and listen to a great piece of music too?

What does God demand of us?

To act justly, love mercy and live lives of humility.

Micah 6.8

When wanting to be 'me' is compelling

Am I the only person out there who struggles with the old nature? Do you hear the words of a parent or other influential person, even though they might no longer be with us, cheer you on to even scores and 'get them before they get you'?

So often I tell young men and women that, even when they have decided they don't want to be theists there are two sound principles by which living, if they are accepted and embraced, is made wholesome and just.

The first of these is to be found in Matt 7.12//Lk 6.31: 'Do to others as you would have them do to you'.

The second of these is concerned with the way we judge others and again we turn to Matt 7.1//Lk6.37 where we find what becomes:

'Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged... Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.'

It is so easy to retreat back into the old nature when feeling threatened. So simple to justify yourself with the, 'Well they started it!' approach to judging behaviour. The reality is that when the going gets tough the weak get judging and lashing out and demanding and ...

Well I'm sure you know what I mean.

So here's a tip from a Bloke by the name of Paul from Romans 12.2:

'Don't copy the way the world lives but let God change you into someone new person by changing the way you think. If you do this then you will find you know the way God has planned for you to be and you'll find it is pleasing, fulfilling, good and perfect. So what are you waiting for?'

Well?

Sunday Radio - frustration and dismay

I'm listening to an advocate for folk religion and a member of a pseudo-Christian group discuss justice and forgiveness, "There are so many things that cannot be forgiven," cries one (wonderfully misquoting the Bible) and my toes and fingers tense and begin to ache.

"We cannot lock people up for life even when it is done to 'protect society'," says the other and, thankfully, leaving out God (for after all there are many in the group they represent who do) and Bible talk about things as if they are an authority.

Oddly, the one authority that matters didn't really get a true perspective or voice today and justice (restorative or harsh) was the victim.

There is but one 'unforgiveable' sin as I understand it and I don't know what it is but, to quote a wise old teacher, "The day you care whether you've committed is is probably the day that you have!"

As we start our Advent journey - that cleaning of the house that is ourselves in preparation for the visitor that is to come, born in a stable, and be celebrated we need to examine ourselves and ensure that we have no unconfessed sin and no unforgiven acts.

As we consider the bringer of Peace to this world - we need to remember that whilst He beings Peace, we need to take that Peace from Him and use it; pass it around; live it ourselves - otherwise it site, impotent and useless on the shelf.

God calls us in Exodus 20 to neither commit murder (nor bring about death by misadventure, poor workmanship or folly).  He calls us to exercise justice and mercy (with humility) in Micah 6.

In Luke 6 we are told this:

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
Do to others as you would have them do to you."

This is the path to taking the gift of peace that Jesus brings and making it real for us, those around us and, if we all embrace it, the world.

Almighty God,
give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light,
now in the time of this mortal life, 
in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; 
that on the last day, 
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, 
we may rise to the life immortal; 
through him who is alive and reigns with you, 
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A bless´ed, peaceful and joyous Adventide to us all