March 15, 2004	Read Luke 6: 27-38
Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.  Forgive and you will be forgiven; give and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.
SALVATION IS GOD’S WORK We live in a country that is increasingly tolerant of other faiths, beliefs, and life styles.  Tolerance is essential for living in a diverse nation.  Despite expressed tolerance, we often are not as generous to the parade of individuals with whom we interact on a daily basis.  We judge on  things like appearance, financial status, perceived deficits, associations and – yes – poor decisions.  It is easy to look at others and determine their shortcomings, both real and perceived.  Worse yet, our judgments are often based on bias rather than objective reason. The newspaper and TV news bring into our homes the glaring mistakes of people in our community and throughout the world.  Tales of mass murder, sordid webs of adultery, startling accounts of CEOs defrauding stockholders – all these permeate our lives.  Perhaps these reports give some of us a false sense of security.  Surely our sins are not so great compared to these.  However, it is not our place to compare ourselves to others, but rather to strive to emulate Christ’s example; in that comparison we all fall short. Salvation cannot be ensured by our own volition.  Fortunately no one has to achieve the impossible.  God in his infinite love and wisdom has bestowed on us, through his precious Son’s death on a cross, unmerited grace. God calls us not to judge others, but to respond in love to his will for our lives.  He impels us to take the high road.  To love our fellow man and forgive those who wrong us.  To reach out with compassion to those who are less fortunate and to give generously of ourselves to those who need love and acceptance.  In so doing, we will reap the joys that such actions create in the hearts of people through Christ Jesus. Lord Jesus, help us to follow your example.  Give us the ability to ignore petty selfishness and seek instead to love as you love. SHARI RYDING

---

[Yesterday |Lenten Index | Tomorrow]