Mercy, Grace and Church Worms

I have been troubled for sometime now because I am convinced that in American Christianity, we have chosen to be complacent with making believers in Jesus rather than becoming followers of Jesus.

To put it bluntly a believer is no greater than a demon.  James 2:19 tells us, "...for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror."  In many Christian circles there is not even an ounce of "trembling."

It seems clear to me, Jesus never wanted believers.  He wanted and still wants followers.
Luke 9:23
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.
Not just any kind of follower either.  Look at the commitment Jesus is requiring in His followers.  He requires their whole life.  Every ounce of them.  That is total and complete commitment.

A "believer" jumps ship in times of crisis, pain and hurt.  A "believer" looks for an easier way to get things done.  A follower watches, learns, and then attempts.  Much like Peter when he chose to follow Jesus and walk out on the stormy waters.  (funny how a believer jumps ship and yet so did this follower!  Just a different kind of ship jumping, huh?)

What has happened?  Where did we go wrong?

I believe Jude gives us an idea...
"some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives."

These "church worms" have lessened and diminished the level of commitment required to truly follow Jesus.  "Church worms" convince others that the way you are living is OK and that God's grace covers you so change whenever you feel like changing...if you ever feel the need to change that is.

God's grace saves us despite the life we lived and the sins we've committed but in no way is God's grace a license to live however we choose.  Instead of living however you want, choose to follow Jesus and see that His way to live far out weighs any attempt to living life you have tried so far or could try and that His way of life gives you the greatest potential to do and be the greatest possible!

But what do we do about these "church worms?"

No, we don't put them on a hook and toss them out to be swallowed up whole by a big fish.  You may be surprised what God desires we do.  It's the same thing that a particular prophet who once was swallowed whole by a big fish himself knew God would do to a violent and evil city.

Just as God allowed His anger to be overcome by His own mercy and spared the city of Nineveh that Jonah warned about God's impending death and destruction, God wants you and me to give even "church worms" mercy despite their efforts to lessen the power of God's grace.

Again Jude gives us insight...
"And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering.  Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment.  Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives."

Mercy.  A follower of Jesus does not give to church worm what they deserve because a follower of Jesus has received what they do not deserve themselves - Grace.

Even in the midst of this troubling time of cheapened grace, God does not change.  His desires all to know His mercy and receive His grace...even church worms.

Lost intentions

Last week I was reminded of something I had intended to do but never did.  Because I never did follow my intentions with actions I had failed someone in their time of need.

It never feels good to fail.  Ever.

We expect others to judge us by our intentions yet we judge others by their actions.  Truth be told your intentions do not matter as much as your actions.  Why then can we continue to have good intentions but fail to follow them with good actions?

I believe it is because of something in our past.  Something we keep staring back at that seems to be glaring right back at us along life's journey.

Lost intentions.

Lost intentions are those intentions that we failed to act on. 
Lost intentions don't just go away either. 
Lost intentions pile up like garbage at a land fill or unrecycled, plastic water bottles. 

But unlike a land fill that is far away where we cannot see them, lost intentions are following us wherever we go.  It's as if our lost intentions are tied to our ankle and every single step we take we are reminded of them by their scraping of the ground we just walked on.

How do we handle these lost intentions?

Well, what is the best thing to do with unrecycled, plastic water bottles? 

Recycle them!

Take a look at your lost intentions.  What did you intend to do that you did not do?  Can you still do it?  Can you do what you intended to do with someone else or somewhere else?

Did you intend to share your faith with someone and didn't? 
Go share it with that same person if you can.  If not, then share it with another. 

Did you intend to hug your spouse and say you love him/her? 
Do it at the very next opportunity. 

Did you intend not to yell at your kids? 
Go apologize, ask for forgiveness and follow James advice and be "Quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" (James 1:19)

Did you intend to give your best effort at work but didn't? 
Give your best the next day.

The truth about lost intentions is...
Lost intentions yesterday keep you from action today.

So with my failure of helping someone in their time of need and my lost intentions to be there for them in that time of need, do you know what I did?

You got it!  I recycled my lost intentions.  I went to that person's home and allowed them to share their hurt, and pain with me.  Then a few days later I sent them a card expressing how my heart ached for them and I would be available if they needed me.

What has come from that failure is a greater sensitivity in my life to follow up my intentions with actions sooner than later.  May you do the same.  And together we can do some recycling that will change lives far greater and longer lasting than anything ever recycled before!