Many of our neighbors’ experiences have left them wondering how to reconcile what they know of the church with what they know of God. They’ve tasted harshness in place of conviction, rejection in lieu of love, and isolation instead of family. Sadly, refraining from any local church involvement has become a norm for them.
If inviting a tax collector to follow Him wasn’t reason enough for their disdain, Jesus provoked the full weight of the religious community’s criticism when He dared to dine with less than commendable individuals (Matthew 9:10). In a culture where eating a meal together spoke of communion, relationship, and belonging, He defied their socioreligious hierarchy by sitting in community with “scum” (Matthew 9:11). In the religious leaders’ estimation, Jesus should have known better, and—in truth—He did.
Reminding them that it’s the sick that need a doctor (Matthew 9:12), Jesus challenged the idea that spiritual community should be contingent upon one’s level of religious perfection. Later, Paul revealed that God’s plan for us is wholeness—in spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). But the real power behind this restorative work becomes evident in verse 24: “God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.”
Scripture doesn’t leave us without a model of compassion to follow (John 8:10-12). Love moved the heart of God to intervene on our behalf so that we might be set free from sin. Our response to others should be no less—extending compassion from hearts that understand true restoration comes only through repentance (Psalm 103:13; Isaiah 30:18). As God provides what we need to extend community to the broken, we move from a fragmented community to one of grace.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Ruth 2:1-23
More:
Read Isaiah 58:1-12 and consider the difference between a works-based mindset and one that views others in the context of their need for Jesus’ restorative work.
Next:
How do we live out holiness without becoming judgmental of others? What does it mean to walk beside others as they journey through brokenness?
Gary Shultz on March 16, 2017 at 4:27 am
Hi Regina: There is so little time and space to cover this, but I’ll try the slant from my viewpoint. The hierarchy of the day certainly based their lives on their ability to conform to many forms of laws not in scripture, but of their own conception. Works, yes, behavior or performance based observances to elevate one self in the eyes of others. They had arrived! I love the Isaiah 30:18 verse, if we don’t come in belief we will not share in His compassion. Belief, Christ spent His ministry showing Himself believable. If we believe, truly believe we find ourselves in the bin with all who have sinned, the only suitable performance was by Christ and His compassion. When we understand our need, it is easier to see we are just as they say, “one beggar telling another where to find bread”. We so often reverse behavior and belief, without belief all we will have left is behavior, which will totally miss the gift of God’s saving compassion. Thanks Regina
gagirllive on March 16, 2017 at 8:06 am
Regina, it is sad that there is often a wide discrepancy between God’s intention and man’s experience in the body of Christ. His plan is perfect, but His people certainly are not. Grace is the only remedy I know for that. And to the degree we have been ruined by it ourselves (in the best possible way), we are able to extend it to others. We will see them as though looking in a mirror. The broken, the downtrodden, the marginalized, the “scum”—it is us. There is no room for superiority or judgement…only grace. It seems like we often see grace as some abstract idea that we throw around in Christian circles, as though it has little power or actual influence in our lives. Grace begets grace. It compels us to look and act with compassion. And, it repels external religiosity. Like the God who freely gives it, it must own the heart. When our hearts are owned by it, we can live out God’s plan of community. We can be broken together. Regina, if you have read the forum comments in the last week or so, you may know that my family is experiencing some very rough waters. I could have easily become a church dropout like your neighbor. What we are dealing with is very painful, even humiliating. How often I have wanted to isolate myself and withdraw from community! But God won’t let me. Grace won’t let me! There is a little secret I am learning in this season of brokenness. I was happy to find it in the Isaiah 58 passage you referenced. In speaking of the kind of fasting that God desires and requires—an active and compassionate response to the brokenness in others—Isaiah says it is where we find our own healing. Verse 8 states, “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.” That has been my experience in all of this. As I move forward in faith, continuing to serve God and man from the deep well of grace He’s supplied in my life, I am discovering that, little by little, my own wounds are being healed. It’s true—God is helping us while we are helping others. We need one another. We are meant to do life together—even when it’s broken—because God’s grace is there to do the mending. Thanks for this encouragement today, Regina. And sorry for my extra-lengthy post. I haven’t been here in a few days so I had lots of words stored up in me. 🙂 Grace and peace to you and all my fellow travelers. ♡
twincitiesjim on March 16, 2017 at 9:59 am
I have only commented on this site a couple of times, but felt a need to twice today. Your extra-lengthy post was written perfectly no need to apologize. I have been doubly blessed today, but this devotional itself and by your response to it. Thank you! Also, I saw a comment last week about your situation and I prayed and will continue to keep praying with you for your situation.
gagirllive on March 16, 2017 at 10:26 am
Thanks so much for praying for me, twincitiesjim… and for this encouragement today! I have truly felt an inner strengthening as this community has interceded for my family. I’m so grateful. I pray that you will continue to go forward in faith as well, learning to love as Christ would have you. His is the only perfect love. And since He has poured it into our hearts through the Spirit, we
can make progressive steps to love like He does as we walk in fellowship with Him. We are His disciples and we’re still learning. 🙂 Manifold blessings to you, friend!
godlove on March 17, 2017 at 3:40 am
Hi mum, it’s only this mid-week that I saw your message here from last week expressing the pain of a situation in your personal life. Since I saw it I have felt concerned by your situation and worried that you haven’t posted since then. I’m happy to see you up and posting again. Thanks be to God for comforting and strengthening you in the midst of the turmoils in your family. I join my voice to all the others in raising your situation to God. I pray that He not only sees you through it but also keeps you “anchored” 😉 to the peace only He can provide, and may His perfect will be done for the glory of His name. Grace, mercy and peace from our Lord to you dear sister.
gagirllive on March 17, 2017 at 8:49 am
You are so sweet, godlove! Your term of endearment in addressing me as “mum” brought tears to my eyes. Yes, I had the wind knocked out of my sail, but the Anchor holds. Praise God! I will continue to wait in faith to see what God’s purposes are in all of this. Thank you so much for your sweet concern for me…and especially for your prayers. Blessings to you, my son. 🙂
conmeo on March 17, 2017 at 7:01 am
GG- The Lord is declaring His Love for you right now…yesterday and tomorrow…all your tomorrows! Your cup is overflowing with Grace in all our prayers for you. And our blessings for you in being our sister in the Lord. He is with you and He is with us through you!….Now that is LOVE. Can you feel it? We do! Thanks be to God!
gagirllive on March 17, 2017 at 8:39 am
Yes! I do feel it, conmeo. Your kindness and prayers are appreciated!
Marlena Graves on March 16, 2017 at 8:11 am
Love this so much, Regina!
twincitiesjim on March 16, 2017 at 9:44 am
Regina, This devotional just spoke to me today and relates to things we discussed in a bible study last night. I wish that all of us who are Christians can show others the love of God rather than judgement or disdain. I try very hard to show others love – even those who have hurt me deeply. It is very hard in our human nature to be 100% consistent in that and I fail sometimes. Sometimes I let anger or frustration get in the way. Even with no anger, sometimes my passion for my belief can come across in a way I did not intend… I know that it is God alone who can help me to continue to get better at this. Thank you for your devotional today. It encouraged me to keep trying.
sun9 on March 17, 2017 at 1:24 am
Coming into this world as children, God knew us before we arrived, we were all perfect little angels. And on our journey to teen hood we made mistakes that shaped our lives and behavior in a very big way! Maybe being hard towards other feeling as though they are our enemies even though they have never done us a bit of harm or hurting others to place our inner pain in revenge in order to feel justice for your wounds. Either way we drifted from God, but what God knows is that we are human and that we were born into sin which means one day we would soon sin. But because he sent his one and only begotten son to die for our sins, the debt has already been played for our sins today and tomorrow. So surely if we are forgiven by the Lord, shouldn’t we forgive too. Nobody is perfect only Jesus Christ but still he forgives our imperfections. Even when we fall short in the Glory of the Lord, he Loves us the same every time. So shouldn’t we do the same for others? “Love thy neighboor” “He who is without sin cast the first stone” Jesus Christ”