29 April 2010
Psalm 50; Exod. 34:1-17; 1 Thess. 2:13-20; Matt. 5:21-26

It was important not that Moses see God but that he know God. It is important to know that He is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,
keeping steadfast love for the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.” It is also important to know that sin matters, He doesn’t clear the guilty. Christians have tended to focus on one of these aspects of God and more or less forget the other. Either we are legalists who forget the mercy, grace and love of God or we are so enamored of that we become convinced that He approves anything we do. Moses understood that both aspects were a part of the whole, quickly bowing to worship but asking for forgiveness for the egregious sin that had just happened with the golden calves. We must always keep these things in the proper tension in our thoughts, teaching and lives. Sin is still that which separates us from a holy God and deserves judgment, He is also willing to forgive those who confess their sins and intend to lead a new life no longer characterized by sin.

Jesus raises the bar on the definition of sin with respect to murder. We must be careful what we say of one another lest we put them to death in our hearts. The commandment comes to mean something like if you fail to love one another you are in danger of judgment. We are not to approach the altar if we know we have wronged our brother or sister without reconciling with them first. Loving one another is an important commandment, not an addendum to loving God. Reconciliation is important and we need to consider what is meant by the term and how we are to work through that process and what is the desired result. Does it mean tolerating one another and no longer speaking ill of one another or does it mean restoration of a former relationship? I believe it depends on the situation which of these is desired or possible.

Paul says that the word working within them to change them is proof that the Word is God’s Word. Unfortunately, the Christians in Thessalonica were opposed by the people of that place in the same way that the Christians in Judea were opposed by the Jews in that place. The Gospel always has opposition from those who reject it. Truth hurts and rejection of the truth must also call for the rejection of the one who proclaims it. Paul, however, sees the Thessalonians as his glory and his joy. Do we feel that way about other Christians? We need the fellowship of other believers to encourage us and give us hope and joy.

I praise you this day for you are The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, you keep steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.