JUSTICE OR MERCY

If the Lord had made spirituality both attractive and easy to attain, multitudes would have followed Him, but we know as we walk this wondrous path with the LORD, “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). The first thing we are called to is to follow truth not what we believe is true, but what the Bible and God says is true. There is a vast difference here as seen between a prophet and a politician. It is such a shame to see how politics has infected the church. The term “grass roots” refers to the discovery of what people think and want. The politician then offers what the majority wants and as a result becomes popular and is elected. In other words the politician seeks out which way the majority is going to gain influence and power. Then he stands in front of them and says, "follow me." Sadly, church leaders have learned if you want people to follow you or give you money just tell them what they already know and what they want to hear, but the prophet stands alone and says, “you are going the wrong way -- turn around now.” The politician is popular because he relates to the majority. The prophet is never popular because his word is costly and requires change. People often are deceived because they choose that which is presently comfortable rather than being willing to pay the price for the truth they hear. Truth can never really be sold, but it must be purchased with the last ounce of our strength and all that we possess. Solomon tells us, “Buy the truth, and sell it not also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” (Proverbs 23:23) Truth is always costly and the result may not be seen, but to choose less in the long run is much more costly because those who continually look for something for nothing are open to deception. Many of these will compromise rather than submit to the LORD’s way. The LORD works very slowly, but very thoroughly as He is more interested in what we are becoming rather than what we are doing. Our “self” will always seek comfort and a life of ease which leads to us to self-deception, but God is not after that. Now when we make our way to truth we will always have to wrestle with wisdom, instruction, and understanding these all are a part of the truth. Solomon knew this and saw the great value in truth. Without wisdom, understanding, and instruction truth would be useless because truth is always from God's perspective (God is the origination of all wisdom, understanding, and instruction) and is always progressive. We enjoy truth, but sometimes there is a fascination in its revelation that bewitches us and we want to know more about that, but we do not want to know about the power of its reaction in us. That is where the trouble begins. We must always remember that there is a reaction in us from the truth. We want it that's good the desire is there that is wholesome. We may say we want the truth, but we see if we really mean it the entrance of truth in our hearts and lives it can be the most disastrous thing we could ever ask for, that is, if we allow it to accomplish its features and purposes. It is not something that liberates us and makes us happy. That is one aspect of its reaction, but truth in its power in its essence is the most terrifying thing I have found that I did not know of in the beginning. Truth has two fold action in us. It will begin pleasing us of course quite agreeable and it has a great charm if we embrace it we better be very careful and pray about it because the sole purpose of truth is not to make us happy (which it will at times), but to slay us because the LORD is not interested in our carnal nature setup or our happiness His goal is to conform us into the character and image of His dear Son Jesus Christ and will use truth to chip away at our fleshly character and nature. Truth must go by a way of death before it can be released in life -- spiritual death in us. This is the spiritual law in the spiritual realm. Truth is never objective, but when we yield our hearts and lives to the Holy Spirit the Spirit can take this truth and incorporate it into our lives until the things which are purely judicial may be brought down to actual living. The Holy Spirit takes that which is purely objective and makes it a reality in our lives until it is incorporated into our being it then will be a subjective realization. Truth is never ours until it is personalized. It is never ours until we have laid ourselves open before God in our inner being and the Spirit has been able to bring that truth in and by faith taken hold of it allowing that truth to do the thing in us that God is looking for in us. It may be creative or corrective, but whichever it is the conforming tool will be truth. As I said truth is purely progressive in all forms, thus the heart has to be conditioned continually for its reception. It is an invisible miracle in the heart. Truth comes from revelation (God's measuring stick for men) not ability and strength. As we read the Bible we understand why the Bible is the truth: because no conversation in the Word of God is accidental, not the words, nor the arrangement of the choice of words, nor their combination that is what makes it so powerful. The power (the understanding of the truth) is contained in the words. That is why truth is exacting and precise; it is settled forever. We cannot make truth up, God alone is the author of all truth, but one may discover it. It is life and it gives life. No where is this seen any clearer than between the words and action of justice and mercy. Today in the world people are crying out for all forms of justice (even social and economic), but in reality if we get justice we all would be judged, found guilty, and duly punished. In reality it is not justice we hunger for but, mercy. In the Psalms David said, "Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face." (Psalms 89:14) Now notice the combination of words here: "justice and judgment" on one hand and "mercy and truth" on the other. Mercy and truth always walk hand in hand as does justice and judgment. So if we go towards justice then judgment precedes the justice. Before the judge can give justice at whatever level he first must judge the situation and circumstance. Over 10 verses in the KJV of the Bible the words, "justice and judgment" appear together (side by side) with other verses listing justice and judgment in the same verse. Here is an example, "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him." (Genesis 18:19) and "Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty. 23 Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict." (Job 37:22-23) When we turn towards justice we turn toward judgment. Let us remember this spiritual truth the next time we think we have been wronged or get offended by our brothers and sisters. The pound of flesh we are asking God for may be our own. The same is true with "mercy and truth" as is for the many verses in the Bible that list them side by side and separate in verses. For example, "I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. 10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven." (Psalms 85:8-11) When we turn towards mercy we turn towards truth and we know the objective of truth is to slay us. It is easy to give mercy to a dead man. I will let that sink in awhile. When we die to our "self" and our selfish desires and wants it is easy for God to give us mercy when we have failed or come short of God's glory. Notice the word combination that follow mercy and truth, "righteousness and peace have kissed each other." Righteousness and peace always follows mercy and truth not justice or judgment. So the next time you have to turn towards justice or mercy think about the truth that is flowing in these choices and go towards mercy. God will do the judging in the situation we find ourselves in (He is a Holy and righteous judge), but what are asking for? When David numbered Israel (1 Chronicles 21:7-13) against God's instruction God gave David three choices of punishment David chose right and fell into the hand of the LORD, let us turn towards God's mercy and not His justice. Our being tested as David was precedes the blessing. Thus, Acts 1:8 becomes a powerful present word. “But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses to Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) The word “after” confirms to us that we must first be tested, before we can speak the word of the Lord with substance and power. This is the price that must be paid. Many can say, “I have some truth.” Jesus said, “I am the truth.” He could only say this because He chose to put the will of His Father ahead of His own comfort and satisfaction. There is no easy formula to success, as there is always a price. When we choose the purpose of the Lord rather than our own satisfaction and comfort, it can be said that we are “buying the truth.” Many are called, but few are willing to pay the price of truth. May we be found among those who are willing to do so.

LITTLE IS BIG

Funny how we think big things are important. Not too many people want a small house, but when the tax man comes or the utility bill arrives we wish for smaller footage or when the house needs sided or painted we then question our judgment in the need of a big house. When we had four kids we needed a big house, but as our numbers got emptier so did our nest. We have been conditioned by the world to think bigger, stronger, faster, etal is better, but not so in God. In God little is big. All you have to do is look at all of the examples in the Bible compare size to ability and function. David a little (at age 16) ruddy shepherd boy stood before a man standing 9 feet 8 inches and defeated him in battle and who can ever forget the example Jesus gave of the mustard seed? Did you know one almost microscopic mustard seed can grow into a bush over seven feet tall and as thick as a bird’s nest? In God size does not matter (even little is big), but what matters is how we do things do. Do we do things (even for God) with the right heart condition, with the right attitude, and for the right reason with the right motives? This is what God is looking at not our size, ability, or even power He gives us. Even our faithfulness is closely scrutinized in this area. In Luke we read of Jesus teaching the disciples, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?” (Luke 16:10-12) Did you get that? “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” God is closely examining us not in the big things, but in the little things because God knows little is big and if we can be faithful in the little things then we will be faithful in the big things. Now the opposite of this truth is true. If we are unfaithful in the big things we will be unfaithful in the little things, those things we think are insignificant, but did you know the smaller the issue in our lives the closer God is examining and inspecting it. If we have not been faithful with “unrighteous mammon” (money, treasure, and wealth) who will commit to our trust the true riches (peace of mind, health, hope, salvation, wisdom, righteous judgment, etc.) which are not earthly money and wealth what we seem to go after hard in our lives. Who can give us these things: peace of mind, health, salvation, wisdom, righteous judgment if not God? No man can give us rest in a storm or peace of mind when all seems hopeless. Only God can give unto us these riches these “true” treasures that will keep us steady and sure when all seems lost. Who can give you “your own” if not God? But to get “your own” (from God) you first must be faithful with another man’s. A steward is someone who manages another man’s money and resources. Often times before God can trust us with “our own” we first must be scrutinized by God how we handle another’s man stuff. Now please notice it did not say another man’s car or house, but it was left unqualified leaving us the option of filling in the blank. Make no mistake unless we can be faithful to care for another man’s house God will not give to us our own house. When we came back from Germany we rented a home for seven years and we purposed to care for this home like it was ours, nay better than our own home because the condition is if we want our own home (which we have a very nice home now) we must take care of another man’s. I hear many Christians pray for a home, well again the condition is to take care of whatsoever you are staying in first and then God will decide when you are to have your own home. This little is big in God really reaches all walks of our Christian living. We often think the crown goes to the winner race of the race because they are the biggest, fastest, strongest, or best looking well that is not what God is looking at nor it is the way God awards His prizes. In 2 Timothy we read how God awards His prizes. “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” (2 Timothy 2:4-5) Now the word “lawfully” (Strong’s #3545) is an interesting word that means within the framework of the law or the way things ought to be done. In God the crown is awarded to the victor (at the end of the race) to the one that runs the race within the framework and rules of the race. It does not matter if you are the best and brightest, the biggest (remember little is big), or the most beautiful it does not matter, the reward is given to the one who runs the race according to how the race is to be run. Jeremiah tells us not to glory in our own wisdom, in our own might, or in our own riches. “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 9:23) This is why we must not trust in our wisdom and glory (God gets all the glory, His glory) nor in our might, but trust in the LORD with all of our might and lean not to our own understanding. God does not delight in beauty, strength and power (He gives them to us), but He does delight (when we possess these character traits) in lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. We often think just because God is using us to minister to 1000s even 10,000s of people around the world He is happy with us, well that is so far from the truth. You can ask Samson, Jonah, and the list can go on if God was happy with them. Just because God is using us does not mean He is happy with our character. I have lost great relationships with people (whom I truly love) because I have dared to speak up about character flaws they have asked me about. Take heed not to tell the truth (if you value their friendship) to someone who cannot handle the truth. I would recommend trying to find another way to answer their question without lying. I never found the words and counted on 30 years of knowing each other (as we traveled many places in the world in ministry) to cover any offense I might have caused, but in the end I lost the relationship and others who have had their heart poisoned against me by half truths. You will know you are in the right when someone uses Scripture to justify themselves and deceiving others to shun you. Know this I rest in the truth and knowing I still love them no matter what happens I can sleep at night, look at myself in the mirror in the morning, and thank God for another day where my “friends” will look toward reconciliation. The longer I go with God I see the great wisdom of the Book of James. James has a lot to be said about the tongue, offense, and issues that divide out the Body of Christ. In the first Chapter James writes, “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2For in many things we offend all.” (James 1:3) WOW “in many things we offend all.” Now there are just some people no matter what you do and say will be offended with you these you just have to let go of and let God deal with them, but here James was talking about the rational thinking people you may offend. Even here little is big. James is saying it is best to be little in doing and saying things (not involved with a lot of things) we then will not have the opportunity to easily offend. “Brethren be not many masters” or do not have a lot people under you in business or even at church because we will be held to a higher standard by God in how (not what) we handle them. The folly of thinking more and bigger is better is exposed. God created us to live our lives focused on Him. His purpose from the very beginning was that we should be “God-conscious,” not “self-conscious.” Until Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil they were so unconscious of self that they did not even consider their own nakedness. But after their disobedience they became fully aware of themselves and wanted to hide from God. Their focus had shifted from God to self. Self-consciousness is just another way of saying self-centeredness and self-centeredness really is the root of all grief. People grieve or are unhappy for a lot of reasons. But, if they analyze it they would find that it is always the result of self being deprived of a want, so too here little is big. The more we make little things bigger than what they really are the more we will get off track and there is nothing little about that.