Measuring Our Compassion ~ by Mitch Salmon

3 Word in 1

Thank You LORD!

This morning I was moved as I read a passage in Numbers chapter 15.

The LORD is giving instructions for burnt offerings of various types and He states several times, “If you sin unintentionally…” All the instruction for atonement was for the kind of sin that was committed in ignorance.

Then the passage speaks about willful sin as it states, “But anyone who sins defiantly, whether native-born or foreigner, blasphemes the LORD and must be cut off from the people of Israel. Because they have despised the LORD’s word and broken his commands, they must surely be cut off; their guilt remains on them.”

I couldn’t help but consider my lengthy list of willful and even “defiant” sins. There are really only 2 responses to this kind of moral inventory. Either we find ourselves in utter despair or we are overwhelmed with gratitude.

There was no sacrifice to cover our defiant sins… until the perfect sacrifice was made on our behalf. Where those who fell to temptation in the past were permanently cut off from the children of Israel, we are called sons and daughters.

This stirs up so much more within me than I will try to convey but suffice it to say that should we desire justice for the wrongs committed against us we should consider the justice that is due to us for our wrongs. It is mercy that begets mercy and forgiveness that begets forgiveness.

Thank you, LORD, for Your mercy bestowed upon my life. Thank you that You have not given me what I deserve but have extended to me pardon beyond my wildest dreams.

Teach me not only to receive forgiveness but to forgive others of their sins against me.

Teach me to not just accept Your mercy but extend it to others.

Thank you for loving me so much as to send Your Son to die on my behalf. Thank you for extending the kind of forgiveness that not only seals my destiny in heaven my place in Your family. So not only are You my LORD but You are my FATHER.

Thank you, Jesus, for the cross. Thank you for willingly laying Your life down on my behalf as the perfect sacrifice that covers not just certain sins but ALL of my sins.

I love You and give praises to Your name! AMEN.

Reading the Mirror

A self proclaimed, morally superior follower of Christ judges others because they fear that they are under judgment.

They are critical of others because secretly they are critical of themselves.

They struggle with forgiving others because they cannot accept that they are forgiven.
Grace is lofty and unrealistic.

Critical self examination is inescapable.

Unconditional love is unattainable.

A true follower of Christ loves others because they know with all their heart that they are deeply loved.

They have no illusions that they are anyone special to be elevated above others and so they take on the role of a servant.

They do not judge others because they have a sense of the undeserved grace which has been bestowed to them.

They have compassion on those who are trapped in the pit of despair because they remember the pit they were in before Jesus rescued them.