A Lion's Mercy

Hi all.

This weekend we visited Jered's family.  It was a lovely visit, complete with baking, hair coloring, a movie night with popcorn, and watching the Emmy's over a bowl of ice cream.

I was intrigued by the sermon we heard on Sunday as well, so I'm going to share with you, my notes from it.

The title of the sermon was Law and Order: The Verdict.  It was the fourth and final sermon of the series they had done.  The passage used was Romans 3:21-24.

The Pastor shared a story, which I am not going to share, except for the end question: which is more meaningful, a lick from a lamb?  Or a lick from a lion?

Point:  Mercy from the "Judge God" is more meaningful than mercy from our "Father God."

It's simple to forget that God is our judge sometimes.  Maybe that's just from growing up in a family with a loving Dad.  That's easy to relate to in my mind.

The pastor shared a quote by Dwight Edwards, which I tried to find for you online, but failed.  Instead you get my version of it.  Basically, he claimed that we have no understanding of the lion's "raging fury" over our sins.

Wow.

So, assuming we can bear to wrap our minds around that ugly truth, we then have to "get right" with God.  How?  By realizing three major truths from the passage.

God's mercy is given, not earned.  (3:21)  How unbelievably terrible would it be if we had to earn our forgiveness.  Yikes.  Instead, God gives an alternative reality by inserting a loophole in the law.  No, it doesn't come without a price.  In fact, the greatest price was paid.  In "the great exchange,"  Christ's life of perfect obedience can be credited to our account, and in the same movement, our sins are credited to his spotless record.

The second step is receiving that amazing gift through faith in Jesus.  (3:22)  A quote from Pastor Erwin Lutzer was also shared.  Unfortunately, again, you get my rendition: When you come to Christ, you aren't coming to give, but to receive.

And finally, it is needed and available to all.  (3:24)  We all fall short in our role of glorifying God.  Isn't that an interesting concept?  We fall short in our role.  I don't think about it that way often.  That resonated deep in me.  My goodness, how many times have I fallen short and not even given it a second thought.  And if I did, did I realize I was failing at my job?  My purpose in life?  Whoa. Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Thank God, He is a merciful lion.  Thank God, He sent us a perfect lamb.  Where would I be without the combination of the two?  I shudder to think about it.

Well guys, that's all I am going to share for now.  Until next time, goodbye!

Aim