14 March 2014 - forgiven and changed
The LORD tells us that he doesn't take pleasure in the death of the wicked (cf Eze. 18:23). We force his hand with the "abominable things that the wicked man does". God doesn't delight in it, but the wicked are choosing death, freely choosing it, by their very wickedness. It "is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die."
He really doesn't want to condemn us. He sends Jesus into the world not to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through him (cf. Joh. 3:16). Again and again he puts off the punishment which our actions deserve, indeed beg of him. And we simply become complacent. We think that things must be fine as they are now, "not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance" (cf. Rom 2:4).
His way is so much more than fair. He doesn't want to condemn us. And every hardship along the way is actually a discipline designed to lead us back to him. "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives" (cf. Heb. 12:6).
He is indeed calling us to a high standard of behavior, a supernatural standard.
unless your righteousness surpasses that
of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.
We can't just express this standard of righteousness in externals. If we even harbor unrighteous anger at our brothers we may be "liable to judgment", let alone when we speak harshly to them. We have to be changed from within so that we aren't just civil toward our brothers. We must be genuinely on good terms with them. We must not have anything between each other when we approach the altar. Such grudges belie our supposed Christian life.
This standard of behavior seems hard. Indeed, it is humanly impossible. But Jesus has a reason for calling us to it, and it is not because he is unfair. He doesn't want us to "be thrown into prison" and "not be released until you have paid the last penny."
As we've said before, what Jesus commands he also empowers. We must come before the LORD to experience true forgiveness. This is not forgiveness which simply looks away from a problem which continues to exist. This is forgiveness which erases the problem, the brokenness in our hearts.
For with the LORD is kindness
and with him is plenteous redemption;
And he will redeem Israel
from all their iniquities.
For this reason we must trust in him. The standard to which we are called is too high for us on our own. But he is the shepherd who delights to find the lost sheep, the woman who delights to find the lost coin, and the father who delights to welcome back his estranged son.
I trust in the LORD;
my soul trusts in his word.
My soul waits for the LORD
more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
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