Asking for a Friend! - Day311 Month 11-6 Week 43-3

Asking for a friend!

Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year)

2 Chronicles 34:8-33, Job 30, Jonah 4, James 4

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2034%3A8-33%2C%20Job%2030%2C%20Jonah%204%2C%20James%204&version=NASB1995


Now we know why Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh.  He knew how the people of Nineveh were living in rebellion against God.  When talking to God, Jonah revealed, “I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity” (Jonah 4:2 NASB1995).  Jonah knew God might forgive the people of Nineveh if they repented, and he didn’t want that.  He believed they deserved judgment.


After God spared Nineveh, Jonah went east of the city and built himself a shelter to see what would happen.  God caused a plant to grow and provide shade for Jonah, but the next day He sent a worm to destroy it.  Jonah became angry and wanted to die.  God pointed out that Jonah had compassion for the plant, even though he had done nothing to make it grow or care for it.


God then asked Jonah why He shouldn’t have compassion on the 120,000 people in Nineveh who did not know their right hand from their left, along with their many animals.  The people had repented, and God had relented from destroying the city.  Jonah was upset that God had shown them mercy.


I wonder how often we do the same thing.  We understand that God is compassionate and forgiving, but do we always want Him to extend that compassion to people whose behaviour we disagree with?


As a Jesus follower, I need to be compassionate towards others.  It’s not my place to condemn others for their wrongdoing.  My job is to love them.


There are some Christians, particularly those on the political right, who seem quick to pass judgment on other groups of people.  Very often, it is justified by the statement: “Hate the sin; love the sinner.”


Here in our community, one church makes its presence known during Pride weekend by standing on the causeway with signs expressing judgment against the LGBTQ+ community.  It makes me sad.  I believe we are called to love people, not stand in judgment of them.


Jesus said, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).  There it is.  We are certainly called to love our neighbours.  And I wonder how much of that love is demonstrated when we stand in judgment of them.


By the way, sin is living in a place of rebellion against God.  It takes many different forms.  However, if we are not showing love to others, are we not living in rebellion against God ourselves?  Asking for a friend!


Have a great day!

Steve

steve.d.pauls@gmail.com


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