Sunday, June 3, 2012

Serving Neighbors

 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs,  for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.  Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may nowreceive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you.  For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.


God has mercy on all, not all receive that mercy.  Why?  God knows.  He tells us so in the passage that follows the one above.


Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! 
    How unsearchable his judgments,
    and his paths beyond tracing out! 
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
    Or who has been his counselor?” 
35 “Who has ever given to God,
    that God should repay them?” 
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. 
    To him be the glory forever! Amen.



We like to have things all buttoned up and finished.  We do not get that option when it comes to our neighbor and their relationship with God.  God knows the outcome, we do not.  We are not given that privilege.  Much like a television show, and at the end of the show comes the dreadful words "To be continued...."   Aaargh!  It is unfinshed business!  We must tune in to the show again to see the ending.


We can leave our neighbors in God's capable hands.  He will deal with our annoying, sinful neighbor.  Often times He will deal with us first by humbling us and giving us new insight into our own sin.


Thank you, Jesus.