THE DOCTRINE THAT EVEN THE LEGALISTS DON'T WANT

God is glory; not routine.  God is fascination; not boredom.  He is active; not retired. And God is serious; not joking.

The church is to practice a doctrine that will rattle earth.  I specifically speak of how we are to view the concept of enemies.  We quote Jesus in reference to those in general who oppose society at large; yet, I find that we are seldom so driven to forgive when it comes to our personal ones.  This is a major source of breakthrough....if we will allow ourselves to...break through.

Enemies schmenemies.  Everyone's got one (some).  Shrug.  So?

We think when we have an enemy these are to be regarded as idiot-rejects, mean-spirited, and total-trash.  What we don't realize is that how we feel toward some, others feel similarly toward us.  But we don't believe it, however.  Not of ourselves.  I can explain and justify myself because...well...I love me.

It is the real sinner that we feel permitted to dismiss.  Not.

God sent Jesus to earth to rescue the very people who insult Him, abuse Him, ignore Him, and misrepresent Him.  For decades I honestly didn't think that included me.  Oh sure, I sinned, but then, who doesn't?  The cross-torture redefines the depth and brutality of Terry's sin....and yours.

We put him on the Cross.  Not the terrible others; but the equally flawed and rebellious us.

Until we conclude that those we would regard as enemies are mere reflections of ourselves, we will fail to grasp one of the central doctrines that impacts each person at the judgment seat.  So speak and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.

Set free in front of the Judge.  Dismissed.  There is no case against you.  Next verse as to how we find such a declaration; For judgment will be merciless to the one who has shown no mercy.  Mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:12-13).

I say that there are few doctrines more difficult than this; to forgive another for wrongs that are clearly wrong.  Even those bent on quoting book, chapter, and verse, find it easy in practice to hate others.  This is one doctrine at which even the legalists find permission to offer a wink.

We tend to indoctrinate ourselves to believe sins come in shady, dark, worse, and worsest.  We don't get it.  (And yes, I know there is no such word as worsest.)  Jesus doesn't seem to note sin degrees.  Sin is devastating to the heart of God; commission or omission, public or private, major or minor (to us), sin is the human train wreck from which only one perfect and innocent Savior could redeem.

And pay the price, he surely did.

Mercy is a tough doctrine, folks.  I don't deny it.  Yet it is one of the most liberating opportunities in our path.  James wasn't fooling.  Mercy carries an innate law.  It is called LIBERTY.  Free from fear, free from worry, free from bad reputation, free from our own rehearsing minds, God says to all of us....Come.  Freely drink.  I'll change your demeanor, your outlook, your life.