Mercy of Jesus Leads to Eternal Life

The Sovereignty of God
The Alpha and Omega

Everything is Brand New

Jude 20-25  The Message

^20-21 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!

^22-23 Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. Go after those who take the wrong way. Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven.
^24-25 And now to him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his bright presence, fresh and celebrating—to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of all time. Yes.

For Reflection

One of the major differences between vengeance or retributive justice and distributive justice tempered with mercy is illustrated in these passages.  "Be tender," we are advised.  We should not rationalize and trivialize the sin.  But we should separate our feelings about the wickedness of the sin from the feelings we should express to the sinner.  Mercy and compassion are our hallmarks, not hatred and revenge.  The justice of our faith can not be treated like civil justice.  Ours is not a court of rules, but rather, a court of reconciliation.

Pray

that you can say "yes" to our savior, Jesus Christ and follow His way.  Pray to have the wisdom to know the difference between the work of the Holy Spirit in your soul and the work of the common courts.  Enter the courts of the Holy Spirit with praise and joyous celebration and a will for establish a kingdom where retribution is eliminated and reconciliation is the rule.