Generous Justice
Pastor Scott preached a powerful and provocative sermon this past Sunday (as he often does)! Because it is easier for me to follow when someone is speaking, I take notes during pastor's sermons. At one point, he declared, "When you experience the grace of God, it is the natural effect to bless the poor." What does it mean to bless the poor? Pastor referred us to Micah 6:8. “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Hmm! At home, as I sat back in my easy chair watching the Chiefs beat up on the Raiders, I was distracted by his message. What does it mean if my “natural effect” is to not bless the poor? What if I keep an excessive amount of my resources for myself instead of generously sharing with the poor? Does it mean I have not sufficiently or deeply enough “experienced the grace of God?” I have to admit that is a possibility. But there’s another possibility!
The other possibility that occurs to me is that after all these years of seasoning in the faith – 78 since I was baptized – I am still capable of resisting God’s grace. I say “I,” but every one of us resists letting God’s grace have its way with us.
Reflecting further on pastor’s message, it occurs to me several questions beg answering. I offer them for spiritual reflection.
- Do I have a deep appreciation for God’s grace, for His mercy and forgiveness? That is, have I owned the awfulness of my sinfulness and careless behavior to the point that I know I can't live without God's grace?
- Am I resisting God’s grace taking hold of my desire for comfort, which all too often trumps the desire to care for others?
- Am I willing to pray for God’s grace to fill all the crevices of my being – including that part of me that doesn’t want to be disturbed?
So many questions need answering to act on pastor's closing challenge: "Find your way to serve the poor!"
Or maybe answers are not needed. Maybe, God, you and I could just do it! After all, our Lord does promise that you and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4: 13). And how about these words of Jesus from the cross: “Father, forgive them!” After all, it is God’s forgiveness that enables us to put his grace into action.
- Joel Hempel
