“We are capable of performing despicable acts of wickedness, it is true. But these acts are performed by unique individuals whom God loves, who were created in His image, meant to live lives of wondrous purpose and righteous fruitfulness, as they flourish under God’s care and direction. When that destiny and identity is perverted, even by their own vile choices, our hatred and disgust should be directed at satan and at all sin—including our own”
But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” Jesus of Nazareth
This utterance from Jesus in Matthew 9:13 gets a lot of mileage these days. People are fond of quoting His statement whenever they think someone is being judgmental. Regardless of the issue, some people seem to feel that you should never have an opinion or concern about certain matters of conscience. For instance, if I say that I disagree with a particular course of action, I am arrogant and bigoted and completely out of step with the message of Jesus. Because Jesus preached love and acceptance and kindness.
Jesus certainly preached all that, and more. Of course, it is important for our understanding to view that…
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