Crucify Him!

     Beware our estimation of another's worth. That gay community leader, prosperity preacher, bum, architect, prostitute, Buddhist, grocery clerk, Calvinist, IRS worker, witch, real estate mogul, classical musician, child molester, atheist, drug addict, or congressperson, may be slated for God's mercy.

"But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared." (Psalms 130:4)

     Potiphar's wife maybe felt pretty safe attempting to have her way with Joseph. He was only a slave boy after all. She falsely accused and imprisoned the future lord of the entire region! Jesus delights in showing compassion to those we may be naturally inclined to despise and abuse. He has mercy on whom he pleases, not based on the approval of the holiness watchdogs or the doctrine police. His recipe is not your grandmother's recipe. He has other friends, that are not our friends, and they will be sitting next to us at dinner. We need to be wise!

     What is the fear of the Lord?
He is ready to show mercy, and we dare not cross him. Why are these three people in my life right now? That he would be praised for his mercy. They are who they are at this moment, and the difficulties or sweet joys of our relationships are what they are today, particularly for his good purposes in the shaping of rebel hearts for gladness in him. I had better not receive or reject them for any other reason. Let their more noble features warm me to his majesty, let their cold, crude dealings pierce me with memories of his great kindness and patience, and let me treasure this time with my father.

     What is the fear of the Lord?
It is thankfulness, resting in his goodness, in the midst of the presently imperfect. It's grace to love others where they are, how they are, because He's so good, and because they belong to him. He might choose to reveal himself in a way that gives us both new life! He does.

"The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death." (Proverbs 14:27)