As stated yesterday, I think many people have a misconception about God's character. We think our actions and our prayers can keep a vengeful God at bay, that we can close up any loopholes that would allow Him to judge and, in doing so, receive the blessings that we want from Him. I think this is a prevalent view held by believers and non-Christians alike. We may not think it, but we believe it. That's a hard pill to swallow. If we are a follower of Christ, we want to believe that our perception of Him is an accurate one. Unfortunately, that perception can be skewed by the teachings of others, the hardships of life, and our own nature. I believe that is true when it comes to our current perception of Jesus and how He wishes to interact with us. We have traded off the authentic for the false. We are serving the Monkey Paw God. Don't believe me? I got two words for you: Left Behind.
As a child, growing up in the church, there was a constant underlying fear I expericenced. I was convinced there was a huge possibility that Jesus would come back and I would be left behind to suffer all kinds of horrors. If I was ever unexpectedly alone, I would freak out, petrified that Jesus scooped up everyone but me. I can remember calling my grandmother several times in a panic, trusting that if she was around, I was safe. (Her being the most holy person I knew. No way Jesus comes back and doesn't take her.) I was haunted by John Hagee's end-time map and got a shiver of terror from that "I wish we'd all been ready" song. I spent a lot of time analyzing my life, trying to think of any possibility that would result in me suffering the tribulation, as if I really had a say in it. Frankly, the return of Jesus was something to be feared, cause for concern, and I in no way looked forward to it.
I know I'm not alone. Who's on your call list when things look iffy? Does the word rapture make you feel enraptured or scared witless? Do you silently freak out when your change from grocery store is $6.66? I think maybe you do. That's because we have missed a key component of the character of Jesus and have focused on another. We have no problem accepting that He can come in judgement. We just struggle with Him coming in mercy. I challenge you to find a single instance in scripture where God's default response is punishment. It's not there. I'm not saying He is not holy and just. I'm just saying He always chooses mercy first.
John 8:1-11 tells a familiar story. It's the one with the woman caught in adultery and the famous "he who is without sin, cast the first stone" quote (one of Jesus' best if I'm grading). What's interesting is that the behavior of Jesus flies in the face of the Monkey Paw God. Perfect, holy Jesus would have been just to carry out the prescribed sentence on this woman. This is His opportunity! She has left Him a ginormous loop hole and it's zappin' time! Yet, His holiness is tempered by His mercy -- His response time and again. Read who He hangs out with. Check out who He asks to be His friends. Listen to His stories. Remember the thief on the cross. No, He is never out to get you. On the contrary, He is always looking to save. No loopholes here.
The point is not to give us license to rebel. It is not to suggest that there are no repercussions for wrong actions. As a matter of fact, the point I would make is not about us at all. It's about God and understanding His character. When we do that, we can approach Him with confidence, assured that He is not looking to harm us, but rather to help in the best way possible. It allows us to know with certainty that His mercy comes first and is available freely. He's not out to get us. So throw away the Monkey Paw God and discover the real One. Remind yourself of His motivation and comfort yourself with His mercy. It will dramatically alter your relationship with Him and allow Him to give you all that you need. And that is good news.
P.S. I'm still a-scared of John Hagee's map! But I'm excited for Jesus to come back. I think He'll get me after all.
Thank you so much for reminding us of how merciful our Father is.
Posted by: Kimmer | January 20, 2011 at 11:02 AM