I Made A New Word - I Think

Jeremiah 52. The prophesied destruction of Jerusalem comes. Nebuchadnezzar marches upon Jerusalem and takes it just as Jeremiah had predicted. It was an awful time for King Zedekiah of Jerusalem too; his sons and officials were slaughtered before him and then his eyes were gouged out. How terrible a mental image to carry to the grave!

Then in the NT reading today Paul urges Titus to remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. I think that speaks directly to us today. It is not a matter of embracing the direction of leadership, but showing respect for the office of the leader. Furthermore, in verse 2 of chapter 3 of Titus we find even more direction not to slander anyone and avoid quarreling. OUCH! In our day, it is many times the "Christian Right" who speaks the most damaging words against leadership - ironically, this is not right at all! How quickly we forget that kindness, love, mercy, and grace are what saved us - not condemnation.

Titus 3.9: "Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time." Would we have anything at all to talk about if we followed this? Really? Many today are so caught up in the do's and do not's of Christianity that they have absolutely no outside witness to the world. As a matter of fact, they are repulsive to the world and the world to them. If God's Spirit and His Word do not speak through us (remember verse 2 - not damaging or slanderous words) then we have slipped out of grace - we have moved into an area of anti-grace (my own new word - I think) that is of itself the very spirit of Satan and his evil self-seeking pride. We should think long and hard about this. If the world does not see grace and mercy in our lives FIRST, it will NEVER see and come to righteousness and justice. Wow.

God help us - help me - to demonstrate the very love and grace that saved me. Help me see that condemnation never saved a single soul - otherwise grace is not grace at all. Help me walk a true love walk - not just toward the world, but toward those of the household of faith as well as they grow and develop in You.