Pastor's Ponderings, July 1, 2019

God’s Way is Love and Compassion

In the 1961 musical, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” there is a catchy song entitled, “Brotherhood of Man.”  Some of the lyrics are, “A Benevolent Brotherhood of Man, a noble tie that binds all human hearts and minds into one Brotherhood of Man. Your lifelong membership is free; keep a givin' each brother all you can. Oh aren't you proud to be in that fraternity, the great big Brotherhood of Man?”

Unfortunately in our 7.7 billion-member brotherhood, there seems to be little benevolence with many wanting to take all they can.  News of worldwide horrors is our standard fare. Man’s inhumanity to man seems to be the coin of the realm.  Loving each other seems to be old-fashioned and success at any cost seems to be most important. My old college roommate’s saying was, “Win if you can, lose if you must, but always cheat.” 

In spite of that dismal view, the Bible says that we are to build each other up rather than taking each other down.  We are to be beneficial and helpers to one and another (Ephesians 4:29).  We should not allow hatred to smolder against each other.  The Bible says we should just get rid of bitterness, rage, anger, and slander (Ephesians 4:31).  We must not hold onto unforgiveness because God has already forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32).

Rather than following the world’s rules, which lead to pain, it is best that we live according to God’s rules.  The Message version of the Bible clarifies how we should live.  “But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives...things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people (Galatians 5:22-23).

This week, let us focus on what God wants us to do rather than allowing the world to conform us to its standards (Romans 12:2).  God’s way leads to peace, joy, and love.  Like Paul and the apostles, when choosing between the world and God, they said they would rather obey God (Acts 5:29).  Let us choose God’s way of affection and consideration.

Ephesians 4:29, 31-32 
New International Version (NIV)
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Galatians 5:22-23
The Message (MSG)

22-23 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Romans 12:2
New International Version (NIV)

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Acts 5:29
New International Version (NIV)

29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!