"You answered them, O LORD our God; You were to them God-Who-Forgives, though You took vengeance on their deeds." (Psalm 99:8)
This is a seeming contradiction: "God-Who-Forgives...took vengeance...." I will not attempt some "deep" exegesis here.
The reality of human existence is that any may receive forgiveness of sin in our Lord Jesus Christ, but this does not mean forgiveness cancels the effect of sin. I am thankful that my sins are forgiven and that because of the Blood of Jesus Christ He, "cast all our sins into the depths of the sea," and, "as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." What is most disturbing, however, and should give us all cause to be very careful as to how we live, is that every sin has a cause and effect reality. It's called, consequences. Forgiveness does not deal with consequences. I am not asserting this as "sound theology," but it could be that, "vengeance on their deeds," is, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." People blame God for so much, some for everything, yet the truth is that man insisted on his own way in the Garden, and has been doing so every since. "But My people would not heed My voice and Israel would have none of Me. So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels."
Could this be the, "vengeance," of which our text speaks?
A group of us are gathering later this month in a house meeting to share communion, aka, The Lord's Table, together. Our participation in the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ is our life, our forgiveness, our eternal salvation. Historically this has been the focal point of Christian fellowship. I can think of nothing more wonderful for Followers of Jesus than to share His Table. Here, in Jesus Christ's Body and Blood, we find forgiveness, "joy unspeakable," peace. Here, though we all bring the consequences of our sin, we also bring our love for one another, our grace, our understanding. You and I cannot change the sowing and reaping cycle. We can, though, show grace and mercy to one another, just as Our Lord does to us-- "God-Who-Forgives."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I may bemoan the consequences of things which I have put in motion, but I fully accept responsibility for them, and thank You that You are, "God-Who-Forgives." Amen.
************
This is a seeming contradiction: "God-Who-Forgives...took vengeance...." I will not attempt some "deep" exegesis here.
The reality of human existence is that any may receive forgiveness of sin in our Lord Jesus Christ, but this does not mean forgiveness cancels the effect of sin. I am thankful that my sins are forgiven and that because of the Blood of Jesus Christ He, "cast all our sins into the depths of the sea," and, "as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." What is most disturbing, however, and should give us all cause to be very careful as to how we live, is that every sin has a cause and effect reality. It's called, consequences. Forgiveness does not deal with consequences. I am not asserting this as "sound theology," but it could be that, "vengeance on their deeds," is, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." People blame God for so much, some for everything, yet the truth is that man insisted on his own way in the Garden, and has been doing so every since. "But My people would not heed My voice and Israel would have none of Me. So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels."
Could this be the, "vengeance," of which our text speaks?
A group of us are gathering later this month in a house meeting to share communion, aka, The Lord's Table, together. Our participation in the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ is our life, our forgiveness, our eternal salvation. Historically this has been the focal point of Christian fellowship. I can think of nothing more wonderful for Followers of Jesus than to share His Table. Here, in Jesus Christ's Body and Blood, we find forgiveness, "joy unspeakable," peace. Here, though we all bring the consequences of our sin, we also bring our love for one another, our grace, our understanding. You and I cannot change the sowing and reaping cycle. We can, though, show grace and mercy to one another, just as Our Lord does to us-- "God-Who-Forgives."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I may bemoan the consequences of things which I have put in motion, but I fully accept responsibility for them, and thank You that You are, "God-Who-Forgives." Amen.
************
Unreached People Group: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
