Luke: The Merciful Life

Introduction

We have all experienced getting something in our eye

It seems to happen every time I cut wood, even if I have goggles on

It’s annoying and blinding

We’ve been talking about Jesus challenging and break down our views

Particularly of himself, of authority and how we see and view others

Perhaps we could say that we have something in our eyes

Things that block our view from the way things are to really be.

Last weeks passage ended with “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful”

Which meant loving ones enemies

But there are many things in our eyes that can keep us from seeing this as right

Once again Jesus looks to deal with them

I. The Way of Mercy

Perhaps our tendency is to see enemies where they are not so Jesus goes on to say

Read passage

A. Negative

No judging - been used in all sorts of ways...

This is not, no judging - we are making judgements all the time

Jesus will go on to say - “If someone sins against you...”

Just following this is a tree will be known by it’s fruit

So rather no condemning judging

What does that mean?

It is a judging that defines a person in one way....bad, evil, foolish etc

The problem: we presume to know their intentions and motivations

Manslaughter vs 1st degree murder - based on intention- premeditated

Both are bad/wrong/evil but is the person?

We don’t even know our own motivations

Why do we respond, react certain ways? ie. fight or flight

And so when we presume intentions we put people in a box that in our minds they can’t get out of

We write them off, this is different than putting up boundaries to protect

This is not what God does to us ie. Jesus

2 Peter 3:7–9 ESV

But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

B. Positive

i. Forgiving

This is the merciful opposite of judging and condemning

This is perhaps the most difficult among God’s people

The NT Biblical authors have lots to say about this to the church

Ephesians 4:32 ESV

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

This however, is not for only within the church

ie. Love your enemies

The story of "Amish Grace" revolves around the tragic 2006 Amish school shooting in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, where a non-Amish man, Charles Roberts, entered a schoolhouse and shot 10 girls, killing five, before taking his own life. The Amish community, known for their pacifist beliefs, responded with forgiveness and compassion towards Roberts's family, a response that shocked many and became a symbol of their faith.

ii. Giving - Generous

Money? Time? Possession? - Mercy/forgiveness etc.

App:

Golden rule - go back to vs 31

Don’t presume on God’s mercy and grace

Let’s turn to Rom 2:1-11

We presume our innocence and put ourselves in the place of God

James 4:11–12 ESV

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

II. The Breadth of Mercy vs 38

Human judgement sees and show partiality

Proverbs 31:9 NIV

Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

We might believe that God’s mercy is for those who show themselves as righteous and we want to define what that looks like

And no one adds up

Rather, God’s mercy is abundantly available to all, but only those who see their need for it will receive it and then live it.

If we look at our relationships are they tempered more with mercy and grace or judgement

We probably tend toward on extreme or the other, judgement or permissive/passivity

self-righteousness or live and let live

Judgment perhaps is believing that God’s mercy is limited

Permissiveness believes God’s mercy, makes him permissive or passive - God will not judge

But “the measure” to which we “use” mercy is the measure to which we have understood our need for it and then give it

Why?

There’s a log in your eye

Maybe that log is a specific sin or pride or self-righteousness but it’s there for all of us

III. The Key to Mercy

Deal with yours first

not you have to be perfect before but rather

you are working at dealing with your log

confess

repentance

transformation

What sin, attitude, mindset is keeping you from the Love of God?

If the log remains, we are not and will not see ourselves or others correctly either.

This needs to include self-reflection but also community.

We need others who are dealing with their logs to help us with ours

2. Help Others

Jesus isn’t saying to not call out specks (sin etc) in others

In fact, we see the opposite to be true in the kingdom of God and the expression of it as the church

Galatians 6:1 ESV

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

notice spiritual and gentleness

spiritual - I think can be defined by those who are dealing with their logs (maturing)

Gentleness - not condemnation

Conclusion

So be merciful

So while some might even “deserve” condemnation we show kindness and mercy

Remember what Paul says in,

Romans 2:4 ESV

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

Lead us to repentance

Our mercy and kindness, forgiveness God wants to use to lead people to repentance.

Our tendency is to think we need to blast people, Jesus says differently