Friday: Further Thought ~ To Love Mercy
Further Thought:
Read Ellen G. White, “A Higher Experience”, pages 503-516, in The Ministry of Healing; “Duty to the Unfortunate”; and “Man’s Duty to His Fellow Men”, pages 511-526, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3; “Doing for Christ”, pages 24-37, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2.
“Search heaven and earth, and there is no truth revealed more powerful than that which is made manifest in works of mercy to those who need our sympathy and aid.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
This is the truth as it is in Jesus. When those who profess the name of Christ shall practice the principles of the golden rule, the same power will attend the gospel as in apostolic times”. – Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 137.
“Supreme love for God and unselfish love for one another—this is the best gift that our heavenly Father can bestow. This love is not an impulse, but a divine principle, a permanent power. The unconsecrated heart cannot originate or produce it. Only in the heart where Jesus reigns is it found … This love, cherished in the soul, sweetens the life and sheds a refining influence on all around”. – Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 551.
Discussion Questions:
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Summary:
Becoming a follower of Jesus will change our lives in many ways, including producing in us a passion to join in with God’s active concern for the poor and downtrodden. Never an easy task and rarely popular, this will change our priorities and motivate us to take active steps to heal the hurt in the world around us.
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Question 2 raises the issue of politics and speaking up. It is a valid question because politics and the issues relating to the needs of "the least of these" are often at odds with one another.
One way of thinking about the issue is to remember the needs of these folk are greater than political alignment. I don't think that any political party has the mortgage on helping the needy. Often their interest depends on how they can get more votes to stay in power. It is worth remembering that your voice in the political arena is more effective if it is matched by your actions. You do not need to join a political party to effectively help needy people. And it is also worth remembering that among politicians there are good honest people who do work for their community irrespective of their political persuasions.
Jesus said:
I think when Jesus said this he meant more than just pay your taxes.
Maurice, I agree with you that political parties have only one goal in mind, power. The question we need to ask ourselves is, by what means do they use to achieve their ends? Will it result in good governance by way of liberty, compassionate use of wealth or by way of coercion for the “ good of the collective society” which results in tyranny. I for one choose liberty and the right to choose to be compassionate with wealth. It is our individual responsibility to engage with society to help the needy and mitigate suffering. On the whole, when government takes over, most people wash their hands of the problem and deliver the responsibility off to the gov’t because “they pay their taxes” for that kind of thing.
Back in the day in Judeo/Christian based countries before the explosion of the welfare state, there were many more church and community based organizations that provided for their own community needs. This was done at a fraction of the cost and much more efficiently than “big gov’t” can do with its bloated top heavy bureaucracy. I submit to one and all, be careful what you wish for when it comes to the all powerful gov’t, big brother. It sounds good and is an easy path for gov’t to use other peoples money ( top 50% to get the vote, power from the bottom 50%) until the secure enough power to dictate society outcomes by way of coercion resulting in tyranny. One of the best axioms ever, “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”, except in the hand of God.
Jim Williams I respectfully disgree in relying on charity organizations...too many are top heavy and a large percentage does not reach the people they intend to serve...lots of theft and encourages people not to be directly involved...some organizations actually forbid direct contact by donors...As for government programs such as free medical care and education..rather than throw the baby out with the bath water...the problem is how the money is spent...text books are a billion dollar industry as is the big pharms....welfare and disability are out of control...throw them out? Or tighter regulations...private individuals are limited on what they can do...NORWAY is a great example on govt programs paid with taxes that actually work...the question is how much should Christians be involved on either side... any of this? If you mean as an individual you will help individuals help themselves that is great..my father put 20 + young men thru medical school and many others thru different educational programs... because he believed in education as a solution to many social problems...he always requested they not know who provided the $ because he wanted his reward to be in heaven...who cares how he voted?! Not God, but he belonged to a political party...my dad and I thought a like,but chose to act in different ways and thus we were in different parties...We both believed in separation of church and state...common ground allows people to work together for common good...the goal is justice and mercy..heaven!
To Love Mercy - It is impossible for man to love mercy for others. It can only come from God.
Kingdom Priorities - We give priority to education, job promotion, and marriage but there is a priority mandated by God, seek ye first the kingdom of God.
Compassion Fatigue - Jesus avoided His compassion fatigue by starting the day before dawn at the presence of the Father and when He ended the day it was in solitude talking to the Father.
Generosity - 3Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? 4Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!”
Peacemaking - When conflict arose because of sin, Jesus entered the world bringing peace unto the world. Luke 2:14
A Voice for the Voiceless - ADRA’s Rainbow Children’s Home provides a safe haven for abused and neglected children. Supported by the generous support of it's members.
“The Lord takes such good care of me, and I think, ‘Why?’”
“I know He talks care of everybody, but why?"
https://ssnet.org/blog/inside-story-u-s/
To love mercy means withhold due justice to the person. Come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and grace in time of need. That need exists in all of us. Some of us recognize the need most of us are clueless.
Christians are called to love mercy therefore the world can see the love of God and be transformed by the love of God.
As I was reading the Sabbath School Comments by Ellen White for today several points popped out and I thought I would share them:
"God expects personal service from every one to whom He has entrusted a knowledge of the truth for this time. Not all can go as missionaries to foreign lands, but all can be home missionaries in their families and neighborhood." "The Lord has a place for everyone in His great plan. Talents that are not needed are not bestowed. Suppose that the talent is small. God has a place for it, and that one talent, if faithfully used, will do the very work God designs that it should do." "Even the children should be taught to do some little errand of love and mercy for those less fortunate than themselves." "Work disinterestedly, lovingly, patiently, for all with whom you are brought in contact. Show no impatience. Utter not one unkind word. Let the love of Christ be in your hearts, the law of kindness on your lips." Some points to ponder today. Happy Sabbath everyone.Enjoy God's holy day of rest.
Thank-you Sylvia. May I add, we can learn from the disciples experience. We may not have a pentecost experience, just the same we can have the Holy Spirit with us. As the song goes "Fill my cup Lord and lift me up Lord, come and quench this thirsting of my soul." Now we are full we can share with others. Seems as this was the disciples experience.
"After the descent of the Holy Spirit, when the disciples went forth to proclaim a living Saviour, their one desire was the salvation of souls. They rejoiced in the sweetness of communion with saints. They were tender, thoughtful, self-denying, willing to make any sacrifice for the truth’s sake. In their daily association with one another, they revealed the love that Christ had enjoined upon them. By unselfish words and deeds they strove to kindle this love in other hearts."
Often, politics are just worried about survival in power. (And it is clear that power attracts some people as light attracts bugs). Because power can also cut ways to attract money! And so on. Thus, it is commom to current social and political philosophies to be based on strategies to manipulate the masses. When economy has more focus than education, society continues to preserve its medieval state, while in the minds of people poverty and misery have only a materialistic meaning. Jesus left a practical example of true help by words and actions, impacting the way we think forever. This is pure education.
I personally think SDA should not be involve in politics. There is a difference between a government job and a political job. Government serves everyone, political parties separates people and serves only a few who agree with them. There are poor people on either sides. How can the love of Christ dwell in us when we separate people.
In speaking for the voiceless, we often have to deal with politicians. That means we may have to agree with some politicians and disagree with others. That does not mean we are political. The important thing we need to remember that we are working for the needy and not for the politicians.
“Are you ambitious for education that you may have a name and position in the world? Have you thoughts that you dare not to express, that you may one day stand upon the summit of intelectual greatness; that you may sit in deliberate and legislative councils, and help to enact laws for the nation? There is nothing wrong in these aspirations" Fundamentals for Christian Education pg 82
I care less for the party to which a politician belongs and more for the heart that person has. There are some, I have found, who enter politics with a mind to serve not only their constituents, but the nation and even the global community. It is these men and women especially who need our prayers, encouragement and support as they work; otherwise, they may "lose heart in well-doing." Galatians 6:9.
Lyn, respectfully I disagree. For those of us who have the privilege to vote for our leaders, if we do not choose sides and try to determine/support which governance is best, even if it is less bad than another, we abdicate a Christian Duty; A duty that may benefit or oppress a great number of people around us.
This week I have been busy preparing to minister in one of our churches this Sabbath. I have read all your comments and they are wonderful!
May the almighty God bless you all.
Please pray for me.
I checked the amount that the Seventh-day Adventist denomination is worth. In the neighborhood of 12 billion. Can we help needy people? We can and do.
To render the things that are Gods, is not what sinful people have in mind. The care for their possessions is first on their agenda. No time or place for God.- A sad, commentary. How those that love God and keep his commandments,is our first priority.