The Wrath and Grace of God

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth. Romans 1:18

God's wrath. How does that make you feel?  Frankly, it makes me uncomfortable both because it challenges my image of God as loving and gracious, but it also makes me very nervous.  While the Old Testament is filled with stories that depict God as angry and judging, the prevailing image of God in the New Testament is found in the person of Jesus Christ.  Some might even argue that because of Jesus' death and resurrection God is no longer angry at humanity but loving.  What then do we make of Paul's argument about God's wrath in Romans 1:18?

In Romans Paul offers a powerful indictment against all who seek to justify themselves outside of Jesus Christ.  The ungodly Gentiles who believed they did not need God and the Jewish community who smugly thought they would be acceptable to God based on their merit or birthright are called out and blasted by Paul in the first two chapters of Romans.  Simply put: there is no way to God through our own effort.  On our own God's response to us is wrath.  God is angry at our wickedness, our sin, our rebellion.  While God's wrath may make us uncomfortable, shouldn't God be angry about some things?  When is wrath from God the appropriate response?

I personally want a God who gets angry at injustice, oppression, and suffering. I want a God who cannot tolerate the evil that is present in our world.  War, greed, indifference, exploitation, racism, abuse, all should make God full of wrath and fury.  If God cannot get mad at these things so present in humanity, then what does that say?  I believe God is a God of justice and wants us to actively fight for justice in the world. 

At the same time, God's grace not God's wrath gets the final word.  Paul's argument is that while we too deserve God's wrath, because of Jesus' death and resurrection we are offered the gift of grace rather than punishment.

Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24

Through Christ we are made right with God, not because we deserve it (we deserve wrath) but because of what Christ did for us.  The grace of God gives us a pass from God's wrath.  But just because God is gracious and loving does not mean God accepts sin and wickedness.  Perhaps a way to think about it is this: without God's wrath there is no need for God's grace.

What then is our response?  Will we simply rejoice in the gift of grace, celebrating that we will not suffer punishment?  Or because of what God has done for us are we called to speak against injustice, oppression, and exploitation and seek God's will for the world?  God's grace has changed my life, but not just for me but for the world.  What do you say?

1.  Do you respond more to God's grace or God's wrath?  How are you responding?

2.  What should God be angry about in our world today?  How should be respond?

3.  How can we receive God's gift of grace and avoid judging others?

Journey of Faith

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land I will show you.” Genesis 12:1

The Story of Abraham is a story of great faithfulness and trust. Abraham is told by God to leave his home, his family, and everything he knows to go to place the Lord will show him. Abraham didn’t know where he was going or how long it would take; he simply trusted God would lead him where he was intended to go. It is because of his great faith and trust that Abraham is recognized as the “father” of the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faith. What is particularly striking to me is Abraham’s willingness to go on a journey of faith and that he discovers himself and God’s plan for his life along the way.

We are all on a journey in life and certainly with God. While we may often wish to plan out our every decision and chart a course for our life, more often our journey is filled with surprises, setbacks, and moments of grace. Abraham learned how to be faithful by going on his journey, not by knowing everything in advance. Similarly, the first followers of Jesus were not called “Christian” but people of “the way.” The early disciples realized that being faithful to God involves moving out of our comfort zones and trusting God to lead us where we need to go. It is never easy to depart from the safety of the known, but faithfulness requires that we move past of fears and need to control and move toward the path of discipleship.

What is holding you back from going for God?

Do you truly trust God in your life or do you really prefer to be in control?

Imitators of Christ

The apostle Paul was integral to the growth of the early church. Paul traveled throughout Asia Minor to share the good news of Jesus with all he met. When he was received well he would often stay for extended periods of time to begin a new local congregation. Paul used the time to instill the basic message of the Gospel and train local leaders to lead the congregation. Once Paul felt the local church and leaders were ready he would head to the next town and start over. Paul used letters to correspond with the churches he established as a way of continuing relationships and offer guidance on specific issues and problems the church faced.

While Paul certainly was held in high esteem as leader of the church, he did not see himself as superior or above the leaders he helped train. Most often, Paul used the language of partnership to describe his ongoing relationship with church leaders. In his first letter to the Thessalonians Paul specifically gives thanks and praise for the faith and leadership of the church leaders. Paul also shared how he had been praying for the leaders of the church and giving thanks for their many gifts. This is a spiritual friendship of mutual respect but also one characterized through mentoring. Paul is mentor to the leaders of the church while also showing deep respect and gratitude for them.

Paul was a mentor to the burgeoning church leaders through imitation. As he tells the Thessalonians:

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7

Paul, who is imitating the example from Christ, asks the church to imitate him to learn how to be faithful. This is not Paul displaying arrogance or trying to imply that he is the only example to follow. Paul’s method of mentoring is behavioral and implies that we learn how to be faithful to Christ by learning from others and imitating their example. It is in relationship with those who have already developed a deep relationship with God that we can learn to be faithful. Put another way, we all need spiritual mentors in our life. We need faithful saints who have been through much in life and who have wisdom and love to share.

If you are in the beginning of your journey it is time to seek out an experienced and respected person of faith. Take time to learn from them how God has worked in their lives. Take notice how they make regular time from prayer and scripture. Observe how they respond to stressful and difficult situations. See how they use their gifts to serve others, how they give generously of their time, talent, and treasure. Very often God will place these faith giants in our life for our benefit. We need to humble ourselves and seek their guidance and counsel.

On the other hand, if you are a person who has a strong faith and developed a deep relationship with Christ, consider whether God might be calling you to mentor a person at the beginning of their faith journey. You have much to offer and those new to the faith need to learn how to be disciples. You don’t need a advanced theological degree or a position on a church staff, simply a strong faith and love for others. In the end we are all seeking to follow the crucified and risen Christ, and in this journey of faith we are meant to travel together.

Praying for One Another

Spiritual friendships are absolutely critical to our faith development. There are so many challenges and setbacks in life that we simply cannot walk alone. When we enter into intentional spiritual friendships which center on supporting and encouraging one another, we can endure hardship and overcome obstacles in ways we could not on our own. Alone we are easy prey for the evil one, but when we stand together in faith we can be strong for each other and experience a deep connectedness to one another and to the Lord. We are designed to be in relationship with God and each other, and when relationships of trust, encouragement, and accountability thrive we deepen our faith in profound ways.

Jesus understood the need for relationships for his ministry and for the church. As he prepared to go to the cross he took time in prayer to lift up concerns for the disciples and their future.

I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. John 17:9-11

When Jesus discusses his earthly ministry he centers his work on the relationship he has with God and with the disciples. Jesus says he is “glorified in them” which implies that the work of Jesus (his life, death, and resurrection) is fundamentally connected to the relationships he has. Jesus could not be our Lord and Savior without God and without his disciples; we find our meaning and purpose in relationships.

Additionally, Jesus’ prayer expresses his deep and abiding concern for the disciples. He asks God to protect them and to help them continue in relationship with each other. As Jesus prepares to go to the cross he knows how tempting it will be for the disciples to go their own ways and not maintain their unity. Jesus’ prayer is that the relationships he helped establish between the disciples be maintained and strengthened. He knows that together they will be able to carry on Jesus’ ministry and start the church. On their own they will be easily dismissed, distracted, and dismayed.

Jesus’ prayer tells us that we are not meant to be alone. We must seek relationships with others for mutual support and encouragement. We must give and receive the prayers of others in order to fulfill God’s call on our lives. We cannot do it on our own but with God and the prayers of others all things are possible.

Transformation through Giving

Luke 19:1-10

The story of Zacchaeus is well known to those of us who grew up learning the Sunday School song: Zacchaeus was a wee little man and we little man was he…. This song captured the eagerness of Zacchaeus to see Jesus for himself and Jesus’ deep desire to be in relationship with Zacchaeus. What this children’s song misses is the transformation Zacchaeus undergoes as a result of his encounter with Jesus.

Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector and very rich according to the scriptures. In those days the Roman Empire collected taxes from the residents of the land they had conquered. Their method was to enlist the help of the people to collect taxes from their fellow neighbors. In this case Zacchaeus, who is Jewish, is working to collect taxes from his fellow Jews for the Roman Empire. These taxes were extremely high (70% or more) and were collected in ways which were often corrupt and unjust. The tax collectors would then get a commission on whatever taxes they collected and then send the rest to the Romans. Needless to say tax collectors were despised and generally considered unjust and corrupt. To become a chief tax collector was to not only collect taxes but to oversee the entire tax collecting operation. Zacchaeus was well known by the people and hated for all that he had done. There is little doubt that Zacchaeus cheated, stole, and bribed his way to the top.

The people were thus shocked when Jesus invites Zacchaeus into relationship. The people would have expected Jesus to side with those who were oppressed and poor and instead Jesus seeks out the powerful, rich, and corrupt tax collector. Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus is transformational.

Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Luke 19:8

Zacchaeus is confronted with the truth about himself when he sees Jesus. He can no longer hide behind his wealth and power when standing before the Lord. His declaration is one of repentance for all that he had done and become. He certainly had cheated and defrauded others and become rich while making many people poor. Jesus confronts Zacchaeus by showing him the truth. While we may want to discard and dismiss the oppressive Zacchaeus, Jesus singles him out and calls him into a new life.

The transformation of Zacchaeus can be described as going from being a taker to becoming a giver. Being a follower of Jesus means we are not only concerned with our own well being and wealth but we are concerned with others. Being a follower of Jesus means it matters how we make our money and how others are affected by our wealth. Jesus also knew that Zacchaeus could not be faithful until he knew how to give to others.

It is in giving that we are most like God. It is when we share with those who are in need that we can understand the meaning of grace in a new way. Zacchaeus needed to be transformed by God’s love before he could understand who he was, a child of God in need of redemption. Once he had been given grace by God he could then become generous and gracious to others. May we also receive and know the love of God, become transformed from the inside out, and be generous with all we have as God has been generous with us.

Best for Last

When Jesus began his public ministry I have wondered what his thoughts were. Did he really want to begin with a splash and grab everyone's attention? Did he want to heal someone or bring someone back from the dead? Or did Jesus hope for a gradual beginning that wouldn't overwhelm him? If we read the story of Jesus' first miracle we may still be left to wonder.

Jesus' first miracle came at a wedding and as the party ran out of wine there was a real crisis. Mary, Jesus' mother, goes to him and pleads for him to turn water into wine so the celebration could continue. Literally, Jesus' first miracle was to keep the party going. It wasn't a healing story or feeding thousands. All of Jesus' miracles are impressive, but this one at first glance seems to lack the gravity we would expect.

After Jesus turns the water into wine the party's wine steward comes to inspect (quite a party to have its own wine steward!). He was instantly impressed with the wine and proclaimed:

"Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now." John 2:10

The wine Jesus turned from water turned out to be far superior to the wine from earlier and while wine lovers might find this tidbit interesting, for those who wish to more deeply understand the significance Jesus' first miracle we may be left still bewildered.

One way to approach this text is to think in terms of the natural human tendency to hold back. When we are uncertain about circumstances or people we often play a "wait and see" game. For those who have had bad experiences in life and love this can be particularly true. We have been burned before and are not going to allow ourselves to be hurt again. In this story, Jesus seems to be holding back as he is initially reluctant to do anything about the problem. Only after his mother persuades him does he then turn water into wine.

How many of us operate in a similar fashion? We are asked to help others and have to be guilted into it. On our own we tend to worry about ourselves and not others. Even Jesus tells his mother "it is not my time." Even when we can be coerced into giving sometimes we fail to give our best. We give to charities or food drives from our reserves not from our best. We hold back and hedge our bets. Ultimately we see in Jesus the giving of his full self, without holding back. We see in Jesus the pouring out of himself for us and for the world. What will we give?

For us we can and must give our very best in life: loving and serving others in Christ's name. We can give our best knowing that God will provide the rest, God will fulfill God's promises. We no longer need to hold back our time, talent, and treasure but can live generously knowing God will provide. We can be open emotionally and spiritually with others knowing that our savior and Lord gave all for us. We can live the abundant life while we are here knowing that God has promised us even more in the life to come.