What's That Speck?
Word on Wednesday, November 14, 2019
At worship last Sunday, Pastor Marc talked a bunch about Hosea. Hosea 11 is about a fresh start. Hosea is called by God to marry Gomer – a woman with a pretty bad reputation To make a long story short, she became the wife of this prophet, but after a time, missed her old life and is unfaithful to Hosea. Hosea is justifiably hurt and upset and finally sends her away. Gomer is then “used goods”. People want her for what she can give them, not for who she is.
Hosea learns of how she is mistreated and is able to move through his hurt and anger and see her as a person. He still cares for her and chooses to buy her back. His love is stronger than his anger and hurt. He shows her mercy.
God uses Hosea as an example of His love and mercy. In the same way, God sees us as His own, precious and special, yet sinners. His love for us is stronger than His justice and His mercy stronger than His wrath.
This got me thinking about posts on social media, our political environment and just general “office chatter”. There is so much name calling and judgement. We don’t see each other as people. Do we remember that no one is more special than another and even the person you are the most polar opposite with in terms of political positions is equally loved by God as you? God shows us love and mercy when we don't deserve it. What is our response to God for that love and mercy? Do we try to be an example of love and mercy to others?
Matthew 7:5 is pretty direct from the start. “ You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye. Then you will see clearly to remove the piece of sawdust from another believer’s eye”. I really like the visual of the beam and sawdust. It is much easier for us to point out another’s brokenness than to admit our own. Ouch!
When we look at the same verse from Matthew in The Message, it gives a more personal, day to day look at the way we tangle with others. “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. Double Ouch!!
The enemy tries hard to keep us isolated – when we are isolated, picking at each other, taking sides, not seeing the value in others because they are different that we are in some way, we become less of a threat to the devil’s motives desires. We are working for his work. Pretty scary thought. We feed right into his hands. Whose worker do you want to be? Are you showing God's love and mercy in your best human way, or just expecting it for you from God? Triple Ouch!
If we are united in God’s love, transparent and able to admit that we are all sinners, no one better than another – we can put aside our difference and pride and grow and change the world together.
