Verse of the Week: “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offering.” (Hosea 6:6)
Truth of the Week: In Matthew 9, Jesus turns to the religious leaders around Him (who are appalled that He is spending time with “sinners”) and says, “Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” These scribes knew all the right answers and went through all the right motions, but their religion had become mere rule-keeping and their hearts had grown hardened toward God and man. Jesus was not impressed with their empty rituals, nor was He pleased by their self-righteous attitudes and their outwardly pious performances. He saw straight through to their hearts and loved them enough to confront them with their lack of mercy.
The reality is that genuine love for God is always evidenced by love toward those around us. Although it is easy to mimic the mindset of the scribes and become more of a moralist than someone who is madly in love with Jesus, that’s not what God desires for us. He wants us to know Him and to delight in Him. He wants us to joyfully receive His bountiful grace (grace that both saves us and sanctifies us) and then freely extend that grace to others who are sinners just like us. He is a merciful God and those who are being conformed to His likeness will be glad givers of mercy rather than rigorous keepers of rules.
Quote of the Week: “God never intended us to simply be the object of his love. We are also called to be instruments of that love in the lives of others.” (Paul Tripp, Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands)
