Yesterday, a friend honored me with what might be two of greatest compliments I may ever receive. On Sunday I spoke with my sister who paid me a similar compliment. It is amazing how good God is. He does a work in my heart, such a work that others take notice. The goodness of God doesn't stop with those of us who believe. He changes the hearts of even those who do not believe. His benefits are far extending. Jesus bless not just an elect but the world.
Romans 2:14-16 "For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus."
Isn't this the "Wideness of God's Mercy" that His love is poured out on the entire world? Those who believe and give Him honor for it and those who don't have all gained the benefits of His great love. I feel so incredibly honored that my sister and friends can see something good in me. It is so easy to look inwardly and see all kinds of evils in my heart. It is the disparity between who I am and who I am. I face two realities, one which is given to new life, and the other which is full of deadness and dullness.
It is threatening for some to see the goodness of God in those who do not outwardly honor Him in an orthodox way. My oldest sister has exemplified this outward love many times over in my life. She is a giver. She expresses love to others in her great benevolence. She displays generosity with her time, affection, and materials. One cannot deny that this is the work of God. God is love. He is the source of this kind of benevolence. Her generosity is bound up in the power of the generous enablement He gave her when she was crafted in my mother's womb. His great love for her is exemplified in His gift of giving. Her great love for others expressed in her generosity testifies for this truth. She bears His image.
Islam is often times seen through the lens of terrorism. This was my view of the followers of Mohammed until I spent time with his followers and saw that the same love has been written on their hearts. God loves them and has extended His benefits to them. My fears have clouded my perception to the great love God has for His people. I am beginning to see that all people are God's people. The benefits He has poured out on many is only a taste of what He has and desires to give. For those who have called upon Jesus they have tasted so much of those great benefits. He is this world's Great Benefactor.
There was a time when I felt at peace with the idea of eradicating evil from the world. However, I am believing today that the means of eradicating evil is not to be accomplished by killing people who do evil but by having such a great love for them that we are willing to lay down our lives for them. There is a trust in God, a great faith, that has supernatural access to the love of God that can transform the hearts of those who hate us and want to kill us.
Some will read this and because of this cloud they will think that I am saying all are "saved," that evil is good, and that we should permit lawlessness. There is no way of giving them this revelation of God's great love for the entire world. In their zeal to see goodness cover the earth they see evil and think to get rid of it by all means possible. I am guilty of this but I am ever-changing because of the love of God.
If we are to speak of the evil acts of men it must always be through the lens of God's great love for them, God's great love for sinners.
Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!"
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