Prayer & The Body Politic
Wed 8/6/08
God has always been concerned about the rulers of nations... and involved with them and the decisions they make. Our theme scripture from Micah 6:8 is a plumb line for the Body Politic ... and for the nation as a whole. It should go without saying that it is the plumb-line for the Church, but in our culture even that needs to be said. Repentance, the Book says, must begin at the House of God. If not there where... if not now, when? ""He hath shown thee, O man, what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee:"
DO JUSTICE
Justice is an outgrowth in society of the expression of the faithfulness and love of a just God. We are told simply to DO JUSTICE / JUSTLY. That means our actions arise out of our knowledge and love of God and reflect that "divine nature" that we can be partakers of, according to St. Peter. In the first chapter of his second letter, Peter lists these sorts of action steps: Add to faith... goodness ... knowledge ... self-control ... perseverance ... godliness ... brotherly kindness ... and finally, love itself. Justice finds its highest expression in the Love of God shed abroad in our hearts and through us, then, into the world in which we live, and move and have our being.
LOVE MERCY
Mercy is an attribute that God never fails at. It is God's love in application to our mistakes, our sin - that state of brokenness that we find ourselves in almost constantly, which requires the constancy of his response of mercy towards us. We are now asked to be merciful in turn to those who "trespass against us." This is in fact, a requirement for our own forgiveness and our own prayers to God to be effectual, no matter how fervent! Love Mercy ... having received it, it is the only way we can move ahead in relationships in this world. It's been said that "forgiveness is the name of love, among those who love poorly." Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
WALK HUMBLY
Humility is the only proper attitude taken the above realities in our life. All of our life, breath, strength for good, comes down as a gift from the Father of Lights. Brokenness and humility ... a contrite spirit ... is the attitude of one who receives all things. But this is where we struggle and fail most often, isn't it. 'Cause we really think we're "all that!" We continually succumb to the "big lie" -- "You shall be like God!" The lie and the tactic hasn't changed in all these millennia. Paul tells us to "put on humility" - like a cloak. We would do well in these days, to heed and act ... on all three action steps.
God has always been concerned about the rulers of nations... and involved with them and the decisions they make. Our theme scripture from Micah 6:8 is a plumb line for the Body Politic ... and for the nation as a whole. It should go without saying that it is the plumb-line for the Church, but in our culture even that needs to be said. Repentance, the Book says, must begin at the House of God. If not there where... if not now, when? ""He hath shown thee, O man, what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee:"
DO JUSTICE
Justice is an outgrowth in society of the expression of the faithfulness and love of a just God. We are told simply to DO JUSTICE / JUSTLY. That means our actions arise out of our knowledge and love of God and reflect that "divine nature" that we can be partakers of, according to St. Peter. In the first chapter of his second letter, Peter lists these sorts of action steps: Add to faith... goodness ... knowledge ... self-control ... perseverance ... godliness ... brotherly kindness ... and finally, love itself. Justice finds its highest expression in the Love of God shed abroad in our hearts and through us, then, into the world in which we live, and move and have our being.
LOVE MERCY
Mercy is an attribute that God never fails at. It is God's love in application to our mistakes, our sin - that state of brokenness that we find ourselves in almost constantly, which requires the constancy of his response of mercy towards us. We are now asked to be merciful in turn to those who "trespass against us." This is in fact, a requirement for our own forgiveness and our own prayers to God to be effectual, no matter how fervent! Love Mercy ... having received it, it is the only way we can move ahead in relationships in this world. It's been said that "forgiveness is the name of love, among those who love poorly." Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
WALK HUMBLY
Humility is the only proper attitude taken the above realities in our life. All of our life, breath, strength for good, comes down as a gift from the Father of Lights. Brokenness and humility ... a contrite spirit ... is the attitude of one who receives all things. But this is where we struggle and fail most often, isn't it. 'Cause we really think we're "all that!" We continually succumb to the "big lie" -- "You shall be like God!" The lie and the tactic hasn't changed in all these millennia. Paul tells us to "put on humility" - like a cloak. We would do well in these days, to heed and act ... on all three action steps.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Steve on -
Thanks for the heart of the prayers, Father Phil. We all want justice, but we all need mercy. As for humility, I'm the most humble person ever! Pray for me.
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Permalink Reply by Fr. Phil Eberhart on -
Steve said:Thanks for the heart of the prayers, Father Phil. We all want justice, but we all need mercy. As for humility, I'm the most humble person ever! Pray for me.
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Permalink Reply by Fr. Phil Eberhart on
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I knew that about you, Steve. You reek with humility!
Love ya, buddy. Keep on doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly.
Fr. Phil
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