Cloak Comments With Grace, Mercy
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the
rights of the poor and needy. – Proverbs 31:8-9
Immigration is an issue. Always. The children of those
who came to the United States illegally has become a push point for many. We
live in a land where skin color continues to be an issue. We want to “choose”
who can come based on their country of origin rather than who they are as
individuals.
Welfare is another major point of disagreement. Misinformation
is everywhere. Illegals get thousands while seniors get so little. Seriously? It’s
just so much easier to believe lies than to look for the truth.
That misinformation fuels hate. We have left
compassion and kindness and love behind. And we do it all while holding high
the banner of Jesus. Does anyone else see the absurdity of it all?
Jesus was filled with compassion and mercy. He gave
grace to all. No. He didn’t condone sin. In fact, He said to go and sin no
more. But He did extend forgiveness. We’ve forgotten that.
We deserve better, we tell ourselves. They did wrong,
we remind them again and again. We behave as though all the money and all the
land in this country actually belongs to us. It doesn’t. Everything comes from
God. Where is He in all this?
Years ago I lived in a state with a wonderful program
for job skill training for people receiving welfare. It was awesome. The
problem was people, especially women, weren’t moving forward and keeping those
jobs. It caused quite an outcry.
At least it did until someone wisely investigated the
situation. They found that when the job training ended and the job began, childcare
benefits ended. No one at a minimum wage job can afford housing, food, medical
care and day care.
Of course, the outcry rose that “they shouldn’t have
had those children if they can’t take care of them!” Who can argue with that?
But the reality is that the children existed and needed care. So the state extended
benefits at a graduated level. As the pay level rose, the benefits decreased
until the worker was fully self-supporting. It was a win-win for everyone.
I don’t have answers to this current debate. I don’t
think anyone really does. But if you want to use Jesus’ name in all this, be
sure to cloak your comments with grace and mercy not greed and judgement. Every
time you use His name to condemn the poor or the outcast, you are condemning
yourself. Think about that for a while.
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