Mercy, not Sacrifice...

In Matthew Chapter 12, Jesus rebuked the pharisees perfectly by telling them God desires mercy, not sacrifice. It's brilliant really, which I guess I shouldn't be surprised by because it is Jesus talking after all. It's brilliant, though, because of the implications this has for performingly religious people.

Just speaking for myself, I am naturally prone to want sacrifice from others. What I mean is: I want them to perform to get my approval. Sacrificing their time to serve me. Sacrificing thier differences in personality. Sacrificing something to show themselves worthy of my respect. Yeah, I know I suck...but if you think that I suck are you desiring me to sacrifice to get your approval? (I'm just sayin'...)

This idea is really a plague in our world. In all religions and demographics people require performance (AKA sacrifice) for approval. Think about when you see some rich guy walk by... what's your first thought? Do you require something from that guy to give your approval to him? Maybe him to share his wealth? Or think about the beggar at the traffic light. 'Nough said, right? Or, if you were a Muslim, looking at a Non-muslim what would you tell them they had to perform to be in the good graces of Allah?

When we Christians are in the mind set of earning approval (making sacrifices), or making other's make sacrifices to get closer to God, there is no difference between this kind of Christian religion and the other world religions.

Thankfully, that is not true Christianity.


Hosea 6:6, "For I desire steadfast [mercy] and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."

Psalm 51:16-17, "For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
                you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
                    The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
                a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

Matthew 12:7, "And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.

John 6:28-29, "Then they said to him, 'What must we do, to be doing the works of God?' Jesus answered them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.'"

Here is true Christianity: our righteousness comes from Christ, because there is where God's mercy is most found, in his performance. It must be this way. If I think I can perform to bring me closer to God, I am really saying this action of performance will bribe God to overlook the transgression for which I am responsible. God is Just and must punish that transgression, and either I face that punishment, or I faith in Jesus' work of mercy on the cross.

How does this apply to my life? I need not be critical of others, for they are on their own journey and God is doing a work in their lives. Katie, my wife, Alex Kate, my daughter, and Spero, my son, don't have to preform to receive God's grace, nor should they perform to receive mine. My Christian family doesn't have to be perfect. They don't have to act like me, dress like me, or watch UFC.

Here is the main point: If I see God as making me and others sacrifice to get closer to him; I will also make people sacrifice to get closer to me. This is the way the world works... I hate the world; I love Jesus, and he loves me. Performance-less, perfect, Gracious, overlooking love.

Lord Christ, help me love like you and give much mercy, not sacrifice.

JOBLESSNESS (not hopelessness)

I found out Friday, June 29 that I wasn't going to be rehired for the next school year at ACMS. The reason: It's complicated, but essentially the test scores say I suck at teaching. I'm not sure if I do or not, but the truth I can say: this thing is of God. This last Friday, July 6 we moved out of our apartment in Athens. We're chillin' with los padres in Oliver Springs job hunting. Our junk is on a trailer awaiting orders.

I'm not a Diest; God actively brought this about for our good. I'm not a practical atheist; I cannot trust in pulling hard on my boot straps.

I'm a follower of Christ: I drink his blood and I eat his flesh. 

This is the story, the one I'm living, the one he brought about and is going to walk through with me. I'm emotional right now. (Yeah, I know I'm a man saying this...) I drift from anger to excitement, from faith to faithlessness. I can't figure out what I'm good at; its not obvious right now. I want to be a (blank) at any given moment. Identity struggles are hard, but I know I'm his. I'm thankful for the rock in the storm. 

Last week:

I had an interview at Apple. I was so excited about getting in there! Then I got the email (after 3 meetings) and I didn't get it. Which was hard, because I think too highly of myself. 

This week:

I have a phone call with an admissions counselor today at 3ish. I've been thinking of getting my master's in counseling from Biblical Seminary up in PA. Actually, we were planning on going there, but I decided to take the path of least resistance and stay in Athens, which apparently wasn't the right path. But this path has it's difficulties, too. Spero is coming in late September. 30k-ish total after 2 years in debt. No job (seems to be a theme). Maybe the Apple retail store in PA wants to hire a washed-up teacher with no clear strengths, except eating and losing hair. (It's ok you can laugh.) 

Maybe Nashville will have an opportunity. We're going there for a week (or forever) to apply at some Christian Schools. (If you have any connections leave a comment :) Ray Ortlund here we come! Maybe...I've been using that word a ton recently. 

Here is the end of the matter: One day we will be worshipping Jesus in heaven, our journey will be over. I will hold my wife's hand and praise his name forever! and ever. and ever. Until then, "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”  John 3:8

Pray for us:

Health Care

Good job 

Clarity, Wisdom, Discernment

Faith in Christ

Grace and Patience while we are in between housing

Resilience in our souls

Thanks friends... 

-David 

Mercy, and not Sacrifice

Hosea 6:6

For I desire steadfast love [mercy] and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Matthew 9: 13

"Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Matthew 12: 7

"And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless."

Merriam-Webster clarifies exactly what Mercy and Sacrifice can be considered as:

Mercy

1: a : compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power; also : lenient or compassionate treatment 

2: a : a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion b : a fortunate circumstance
3: compassionate treatment of those in distress 

Sacrifice

1: an act of offering to a deity something precious; especially: the killing of a victim on an altar
2: something offered in sacrifice
3: a : destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else b : something given up or lost
4: loss

Some thoughts: 

My heart has leaped at the idea of God desiring mercy and not sacrifice from me. God interacts with me this way, and he wants me to interact with others this way, too. The vertical and horizontal, if you will. 

Vertical

God sees me as excellent in Christ. I haven't earned that title; I can't earn that title. God isn't picky about my interactions with him. In fact, multiple interactions with him (as myself) is what will make me act like Him. I am an offender to God, I am subject to His power, and I am in distress, and He has shown me compassion. 

Horizontal

My wife is excellent (really, she is). I don't require burnt offerings for myself. I don't require perfection in every interaction, but grace. I don't condemn her because she is guiltless, like me, in Christ alone. The list is endless. 

Praise God that in my interactions with Him I don't have to grovel after every offense. I go to Christ, who requires mercy, not sacrifice. I hope you find this encouraging, dear reader! Mercy is found in God through Christ.

Love... by George Herbert

George Herbert (1593-1633)

Love Bade Me Welcome

Love bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back

    Guilty of dust and sin.

But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack

    From my first entrance in,

Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning

    If I lacked anything.

"A guest," I answered, "worthy to be here";

    Love said, "You shall be he."

"I, the unkind, the ungrateful? Ah my dear, 

    I cannot look on thee."

Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,

    "Who made the eyes but I?"

"Truth, Lord, but I have marred them; let my shame

    Go where it doth deserve."

"And know you not," says Love, "who bore the blame?"

    "My dear, then I will serve."

"You must sit down," says Love, "and taste my meat."

    So I did sit and eat.

I hope this encourages you as it does me. Thank you Christ for loving my marred eyes...

A remembrance of Christ's work.

"26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards,3 not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being4 might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him5 you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”


1 Corinthians: 26-31


     I became a Christian soon after I graduated High School. I was raised in a Christian home. We attended a Southern Baptist church faithfully through out my elementary, middle, and high school years. Regardless of the attendance to church and morality in life, I wasn't a changed life. Soon after high school I was working in a Summer Camp where I had the chance to observe the life of a young man be changed into following Christ. This young man seemed to change within the week that I was there. I realized that I wanted that, and regardless of my faithful participation to church I didn't have the change that Christ brings. Around this time, in an obvious working of the Spirit, I heard a sermon dissecting 2 Corinthians 5:17, which led me to really think about my hearts desire and if Christ had changed them. I asked Christ to do so, and be the master of my life. I then began seeking Him and not reputation before men. My reputation had been the motivation behind my pursuing anything of God. I had wanted to look good to people, not look good before God. Christ brought reconciliation to my life by converging the life I led on the outside before people to the life I led behind closed doors. He taught me integrity.

    He led me to Tennessee Tech. University where I got involved in Campus Outreach. After much school work and all my summer spent on Campus Outreach Summer Projects, I graduated. I went to live in Brazil for about 5 months. It was suppose to be a year, but I came home early to get married to my wonderful wife, Katie.

   We have been following Christ around Tennessee for the last 4 years. From Cookeville to Athens, He has been faithfully leading us and growing us. We are now members at Cornerstone Church of Knoxville where we seek to serve the body by loving our neighbors and serving our small group when we can.

To my love, for my Love

To my love, for my Love

The one who shows me much of Love married me today.
Not today exactly, but four years ago, today.
I'm not sure how to explain her... I am speechless in love with my love.
A perfect picture of true love.
Proof of the seventh point: the best of all worlds.
Proof of Psalm eighty four: eleven.
Proof that love never fails.
Proof of Proof.
Abundantly, lovingly, quietly, she helps me serve Love.
Grace abounds in our gospel picture.
Clinging we step out, our faith will be strengthen in our pursuit of the path less traveled.

Bless us with a hundred more expounding upon the last four, then when its our time, Lord of Love, build my mansion next to hers above.

-David

Psalm 71

1 In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame!
2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me!
3 Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
5 For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.
6 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you.
7 I have been as a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.
9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.
10 For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together
11 and say, "God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him."
12 O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!
13 May my accusers be put to shame and consumed; with scorn and disgrace may they be covered who seek my hurt.
14 But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge.
16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.
17 O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.
19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?
20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.
21 You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.
22 I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.
24 And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.

I was encouraged by this Psalm today. Lord, will you encourage the believers today? Help us to be aware of our need for you. Protect us from materialism and the "American Dream" during the sales push of the holidays. Help our gaze to be fixed on you; grace us to proclaim your name to the next generation. Thank you for proclaiming yourself to us through King David!

In Christ Alone,
-David (a lesser one)