Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Measure for measure

Monday, March 21, 2011

Luke 6:36-38
Jesus said to his disciples:
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Stop judging, and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Give, and gifts will be given to you.
The measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.

Who makes the first move? It's God, of course. "We are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Eph 2:10).

And Jesus wants me to know this about his Father: God is merciful to me, God does not judge me, God does not condemn me, God forgives me, and God gives and gives and gives. To me.

I can argue that God's love is contingent on my behavior. But I'd be wrong. I can even see God as a punisher if I don't meet his standard, but I'd be wrong. His disciple John implied that we really don't know how to love, but that God does: "This is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us" (1 John 4:10) ...

Today I will be shown mercy and forgiven. In spite of my inadequacy and sin, God will not judge me or condemn me. Whether or not I acknowledge him He will give and give and give. To me. His rain will fall and his sun will shine.

So what do I do? Thank you, Lord, for getting my eyes off myself and turned toward you. Thank you for teaching me to have mercy and stop judging, and for teaching me to give and give and give to others.

Larry Burkett, a financial and spiritual director for many during the last quarter of the twentieth century, responded to a question about tithing, giving away a tenth of my income. Should I tithe on my gross or my net, before taxes or after? How much should I give?

I can imagine Jesus answering that question just like Larry did: "You get to choose, David. Do you want to be blessed on your gross or your net?"

Lord, I hold on too long and too much, I know I do. Please let me receive your forgiveness. You have given us your kingdom. I have so much to give away, to pass on to others, to love with. As I pry open my heart, You Flood In. Oh what magnificent changes are there wrought.

Devotions Archive

Measure for measure

Monday, March 21, 2011