Showing posts with label widows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label widows. Show all posts

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Justice is...

This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.
Zechariah 7:9-10

True justice begins with mercy and compassion. That is why the center of our faith is the redemptive work of Christ upon the cross. In that, the ultimate act of mercy and compassion, true justice was dealt for all of mankind. 

Unless we understand our own incredible need for the mercy and compassion of God in Christ we will look judgmentally down upon those less fortunate than us. The problem with the idea of karma is that people get what they deserve and that's the end of the story. Many Christians get that way with "you reap what you sow" and forget about mercy and compassion. They forget that all have fallen short of the glory of God. None is righteous, no not one. 

So what's the point today? Be merciful and compassionate when seeking justice. When you see that oppressed see them through the eyes of someone who needs God's mercy and compassion. My grandmother used to say (when she saw someone less fortunate than her), "There, but by the grace of God, go I." 

Friday, December 20, 2013

GOD'S RELIGION

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27

A lot of people want to define religion as spiritual bigotry and dismiss the term altogether. Religion, as God sees it, is a good thing.  You just have to be religious in God's way.

In simple terms godly religion is focused on others, specifically those less fortunate who struggle caring for themselves and being in the world but not of it.  

One of the underlying themes of James is real Christianity. He has a real ability to cut to the chase. He's one of those people who after saying something that sort of jars you would say, "Just keeping it real." 

It's ok to be religious, if your religious God's way. God way is serving others and serving him. 

Father, help us to keep things real and live truly for you. Praise be to you in us today.