Lasting

Micah 7:18 ESV

Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity

And passing over transgression

For the remnant of his inheritance?

He does not retain his anger forever,

Because he delights in steadfast love.

As politicians and Hollywood types are falling left and right to the reality of their sinfulness on full display. More and more are Americans finding that men are deeply sinful and the depth of our wickedness is beyond finding out. Only to be plumbed by God himself.  This is what God has done. He plumbed the depth of our sin and sent his son to pay the debt we owe. Living a perfect life of submission to God and dying for our rebellion. This from the heart of steadfast love. This steadfastness, under opposition by us, was done because of the delight of God.

As marriages, relationships, employments, church membership, community involvement, all seem to be failing and falling under the intense desire of men and women to be free from commitment, not wanting to be, or show, that which God delights in, steadfast love. God has always shown steadfast love to his chosen even when stupidity and sin tried to overwhelm the relationship. Even when those most loved turned from the one who loved them perfectly. He returned their rebellion and hatred with steadfast love. Not loving them when they were loving him but when they “were yet sinners” giving his life for them.

The irony is as our society seems to pride itself on love and emotional fidelity, more and more such expression is hard to find, either in on TV or in churches. In this bleak and black landscape, the steadfastness of true Christian Fellowship stands out. I say “true” because often our Fellowships are plagued by the same waywardness that is propagated throughout our society. Often times “church growth” is simply flock stealing. Moving sheep from one pasture to another rather than finding the lost and saving them we find the found and move them. As church attenders no longer feel the need to commit to a community of brothers and sisters but want to maintain their right to leave at any time. No, the church has done nothing to be salt and light in this situation. This then is a call for us to be that which we were created to be, salt and light, not to lose our saltiness and find ourselves unable to even help the manure pile!

Let the sweet delight of God be our own. Let us grow in Christlikeness and show steadfast love to those who do not deserve it or more accurately who will never deserve it. Are you willing to show steadfast love to the body and bride of Christ?

CRUCE, DUM SPIRO, FIDO