Marshall Mabry - Undignified Worshiper of Jesus Christ

Some worship thoughts for followers of Jesus Christ!

Tag: mercy

Remember Who You Were

By

On May 1, 2019

In Praise and Worship

“So you can be all Christ wants you to be!”

1 Timothy 1:15 – “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst.”

Paul makes this statement as a testimony to the greatness of God’s mercy and grace. Paul believed that – if God would save him, “the greatest of all sinners,” anyone who put their faith in Christ could be saved. Paul’s acknowledgement and awareness of his sin, his past failures, his inability to personally attain holiness, gave glory to the faithfulness of God’s love. Paul was a man who persecuted and executed Jesus followers. Yet, even then, God in His great mercy and love, redeemed and used Paul’s life for His glory.

Albert Barnes’ Commentary on the verse:

  • “That an acknowledgment that we are sinners is not inconsistent with evidence of piety, and with high attainments in it. The most eminent Christian has the deepest sense of the depravity of his own heart and of the evil of his past life.”

    • Popular New Testament Commentary:

  • “Such is ever the cry of the conscience, when, ceasing to compare itself with others, it sees itself as in the sight of God.”

    • F.B. Meyer’s write this…

  • “It is only when we see God, that we know ourselves and repent in dust and ashes.”

    • The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
    Luke 18:9 -14 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable:
    “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people–robbers, evildoers, adulterers–or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

    Jesus tells this story of two totally different people praying. Many of us that are “churched,” are very much like the Pharisee. Leaning on our faithful, religious practices to the point of elevating ourselves over people we consider of lesser value to God and His Kingdom. Humbleness, humility and repentance are the cornerstones to the faith required to “boldly” approach the “Throne of Grace” for mercy. We can only enter boldly by our faith in what Christ has done. We must always remember we are still sinners saved by grace. For this we give thanks, we rejoice, and we pray without ceasing. Life has freedom, life has joy, life has real peace — under God’s grace.

    Albert Barnes’ Commentary on the verse:

  • “The prayer of the publican was totally different from that of the Pharisee. He made no boast of his own righteousness toward God or man. He felt that he was a sinner, and, feeling it, was willing to acknowledge it. This is the kind of prayer that will be acceptable to God. When we are willing to confess and forsake our sins, we shall find mercy,”

    • Proverbs 28:13 ” Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

  • John Wesley’s commentary basically states that coming before God in the humility of shame is more honest than the regulation of fear.

    • Remember the shackles of your old life, so that you may fully enjoy this moment of freedom you have in Christ.

    Jesus Commandments

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    On September 21, 2017

    In Praise and Worship

    9. The Command “Do not take revenge.”

    38 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow. Matthew 5:38 (NLT)

    Many times when we have been injured our immediate attitude and response seeks justice. But, at what cost? Jesus is commanding us here to change our hearts from the bitterness of revenge to the kindness of charity. We live in a broken world. We will reap what we sow. There is no escaping the repercussions of sin. Sooner or later bewildering calamity will happen. How will you respond to a slap in the face? An unexpected law suit? Or forced, unwarranted labor?

    Jesus’s command is simple! Return kindness for evil, extraordinary giving for theft, and love for injury. There is only one Judge and it’s not us. He will righteously settle all unresolved accounts. And the payment for these debts is terrible and eternal. Shouldn’t we be showing mercy and love in our injury? We know that unless our debtors receive Christ as their Savior, their eternal souls are bound for Hell. They may stimulate their pride at the expense of our sore cheek. They may gain a little more wardrobe material. They may live a little longer at the expense of our hard labor. But Jesus says this in Matthew 16:26 “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (NLT)

    Christ was slapped in the face, beard-pulled, humiliated, and forced to wear a crown of thorns, disrobed and publically beaten (scourged), burdened to carry the instrument of his demise to the site of his execution, then crucified, naked, laid bare for all to see – and he sought no revenge. He prayed for his debtors’ forgiveness.

    True Religion – “Mercy”

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    On January 28, 2014

    In Praise and Worship

    religionReligion’s definition: “a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects…” (Dictionary.com)

    As Christians we often hear the phrase “it’s not about religion, it’s about a relationship!” True as that statement may be — Christianity it is still a religion. There are beliefs that need to be expressed through the actions of our faith. The things we practice in the name of Jesus Christ speak of His integrity to the world. They will say either “Well done! Good and faithful servant” or “Hypocrite!”

    James 1:27 (NIV)
    “27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

    James reminds us that love conveyed through mercy is the purest action for expressing our faith. With mercy there is no judgment. In our Lord’s prayer he said “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us…” If we love mercy and exercise it throughout our personal and corporate ministries, there would be no room for judgement. We would not have the time or inclination to form opinions about our neighbor. We would only see the needs that God’s mercy will fill through us. Thus, we are driven by our love and mercy in Christ to give our lives away.

    Mercy and Grace

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    On July 25, 2013

    In Praise and Worship

    Grace

    Definition of grace

    We have life because of God’s mercy. We have eternal life because of His grace.

    Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV) 22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

    John 3:16 (NIV) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

    We journey through life on borrowed time. God in His great faithfulness and unfailing love renews His mercy with each morning. He chose us from the beginning to have life. It is His gift to us. It is a gift for us to invest and multiply. But as with all things, our lives and everything we know and experience are His — everything. He is good, compassionate, and a giving God. He does not withhold His goodness from the ones He loves. The only thing He does not claim is our bad choices. We must take ownership of our sin. But even still, His unfailing love made a way for us. In His great mercy and love for us, God sacrifices His only Son to be the just payment for all unrighteousness. It is through God’s gift of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, we have the opportunity to receive His grace through faith in Jesus. It is a free gift. It is unearned. His grace affords us His unmerited favor and gives us eternal life.

    Righteous Living

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    On March 24, 2012

    In Praise and Worship

    It is amazing to me that Jesus told us everything we need to know to live peaceful, righteous lives in Matthew 6. A righteous life is about giving, filling needs. (Loving mercy! Micah 6:8) It’s about praying and fasting. (Talking to God and denying yourself. Walking humbly!) Jesus tells us the truth on how we receive our “heavenly paycheck.” He said that your reward in heaven comes from doing these things in secret where only our Heavenly Father sees them.

    Living a life filled with worldly distractions and relying your own strength are enemies to your faith. Trusting and acknowledging God as your constant Provider is essential to living a prosperous and peaceful life. In all that you do, honor Him by giving praise for His worthiness. Worship Him and Him alone. Every breath, every step, every honest gain in your life comes from righteous living and are blessings from God. Those blessings mature when we give them away — in secret.

    God always wants to prosper us. It has always been in His plan. Everything that is His is ours through Jesus Christ. True prosperity is only earned through righteous living in knowledge of the grace of Jesus Christ.

    Grace, Love, Mercy, and Justice

    By

    On November 22, 2011

    In Praise and Worship

    Our God never changes. He is the truth! While we are in Him, His truth always guides, directs, and corrects us.

    He is our God of justice. He is our God of Mercy. He is our God of Grace. I have heard these 3 true characteristics of our God define this way:
    Justice is defined as “getting what you deserve.” (i.e. “You shall reap what you sow in this life.” Death, Sodom and Gomorrah)
    Mercy is defined as “we don’t get what we deserve.” “We deserve death, but Christ gave His life for our forgiveness that we may live in God’s sight.”
    Grace is defined as “getting what we don’t deserve.” “Our reward for believing in Christ is Eternal life with Jesus, no more fear, death, pain, sorrow, and suffering – Hallelujah! Praise God!”

    Since we should be constantly changing (evolving) into the likeness of Christ, these become part of our defining characteristics.

    Are you an instrument of His grace? Do you show the fruit of the Holy Spirit when adverse conditions are applied to your life? Is Grace an attribute that describes you? Are you giving people what they don’t deserve? Mercy and Justice are easily given, but Grace is hard.

    Some people are hard to love. Some situations make us hard to love. But we are commanded to love anyway. I am positive that we were hard to love as Jesus look at us when He hung from the cross and said “Father, Forgive them for they know not what they do.”

    Be blessed in His justice, His mercy, His grace, but most of all, His great love!

    It Is Better to Obey

    By

    On October 24, 2011

    In Praise and Worship

    Hebrews 4:14-16Many times I feel upset and frustrated because I do not get my way. I go off and pout for a while, then eventually, with the passage of time, the ill-feelings go away and I seem to get back in my normal mood. This way of handling my difficulties is all wrong. God’s truth teaches us to confront our frustrations, reason with Him, and come to an agreement that is open to the Light and brings closure to the concern. Anything that disobeys the truth and is not done in love — is “sin.” Sin takes you out of alignment with our Holy Father and places us at the mercy seat of Christ. Amazingly, if we quickly “repent” we can get back within the grace of God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

    When we feel we have been wronged our innate defensive mechanisms kick in and the “fight or flight” mentality begins to deal with our alleged offense. We either go off and pout (maybe even drag a few reluctant friends along with us) or we put up our fists and begin to bang away.

    God’s Word says that our righteousness is like filthy rags. The more I think I’m right, the more I realize how much I’m not. It’s about “grace.” It’s all about our Heavenly Father’s amazing grace! I don’t have to be “right” anymore! Jesus did it all. He was God’s righteousness veiled in flesh. He was the perfect, unblemished Lamb of God. Jesus didn’t run away and pout when He was wronged and difficulties came, He faced them head on. Not with fists clenched, but with open hands filled with salvation, mercy, and love. He was obedient to His Father’s will all the way to His death on the cross, not for His sake, but for ours. I believe He told us the reason for His grace on the cross. “Father! Forgive them! For they do not know what they are doing.”

    Forgive me, my Lord Jesus! I have failed You so many times. In my selfishness I have brought darkness in this world. Yet, Your grace remains. You have created me from the beginning to be salt and light. Help me to be obedient to Your commandments. My desire is to love Your commandments even more than I love this life. I will always sing of Your mercy and grace. Amen.

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