There are two readings for today.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 112
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. [Psalm 112:4-5]
The psalmist is comparing the life of the upright with the life of the wicked.
The upright live for God and others; the wicked live for self.
Thought it may seem for a time that the wicked prosper, that the selfish have the upper hand, the upright will see the light through their hard experience (darkness).
Those who are generous and lend freely, who act justly towards others, will one day see the light of life and eternal glory.
But those who are selfish and stingy, who are mostly just fair to themselves, will one day experience the misery of eternity with themselves alone.
Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ [Matthew 25:37-40]
Jesus describes the final day when the upright and the wicked will be separated.
The separation will be made based on whether their hearts are selfless or selfish, whether people live for God and others, or for themselves.
Whatever we do for others, we do for God.
Those who are generous and lend freely, those who are just, will hear Jesus say ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. [Matthew 25:34]
Christians often talk about being saved by grace alone, and that faith in Jesus Christ are the only requirement for salvation.
And yet the bible seems to expand on those ideas; yes we are saved by grace alone, and yes our confidence needs to be in the Lord and not in ourselves.
But what does a person confident in the Lord and saved by grace look like?
Is it not a person that appreciates grace, and lives by that grace towards others, and knows that they too depend on God’s generosity, and therefore freely show it?
Show me a generous, self-denying person that is devoted to blessing others, and I suspect (only God knows for sure) that there is someone in whom God is at work – whether they realize it or not, someone who is moving in or towards Christ.
It seems to me that only by the Spirit of Jesus can a person live this kind of selfless, people loving life.
I do believe that we are saved by grace, through Jesus Christ as God’s way, truth and life; but I also affirm the bible’s description of that ‘saved’ person: They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor. [Psalm 112:9]
PRAYER:
Lord, do I look like this? Is this what characterizes my life? Help me to show my confidence in You by valuing what You value, and doing what You do.