“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
— Romans 1:16-17
Mercy Over Judgement (James 2:1-13)
“Mercy is the highest art and the shield of those who practice it. It is the friend of God, standing always next to him and freely blessing whatever he wishes. It must not be despised by us. For in its purity it grants great liberty to those who respond to it in kind. It must be shown to those who have quarreled with us, as well as to those who have sinned against us, so great is its power. It breaks chains, dispels darkness, extinguishes fire, kills the worm and takes away the gnashing of teeth. By it the gates of heaven open with the greatest of ease. In short, mercy is a queen which makes men like God.”— John Chrysostom
Seeking His Face (James 1:19-27)
“Give me the grace to be impatient for the time when I shall see You face to face and need no stimulus than that to adore You.”
— Flannery O’Connor, A Prayer Journal
Blessing of the New Birth (James 1:12-18)
Nicodemus: “Rabbi, we all know you’re a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren’t in on it.”
Jesus: You’re absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom.”
Nicodemus: “How can anyone be born who has already been born and grown up? You can’t re-enter your mother’s womb and be born again. What are you saying with this ‘born-from-above’ talk?”
Jesus: “You’re not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the ‘wind-hovering-over-the-water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom. When you look at a baby, it’s just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can’t see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit.” - The Message
James: Portrait of a Living Faith (James 1:1-11)
“Put away doubting and do not hesitate to ask of the Lord. Do not say to yourself: ‘How can I ask of the Lord and receive from him, seeing that I have sinned so much against him?’ Do not reason with yourself like this, but turn to the Lord with all your heart and ask of him without doubting, and you will know the multitude of his tender mercies, that he will never leave you but fulfi ll the request of your soul.”
— Shepherd of Hermas, 2nd century
Two Ways to Interact with Jesus (Luke 10:38-42)
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
—Author unknown, Lam.3:21-24
Grappling with our Lord (Habakkuk 1:1-2:1)
God moves in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform; he plants his footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines, of never-failing skill; he fashions up his bright designs, and works his sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints fresh courage take, the clouds that you much dread, are big with mercy and will break in blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust him for his grace; behind a frowning providence, he hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour; the bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err, and scan his work in vain; God is his own interpreter, and he will make it plain.
- William Cowper, God Moves In A Mysterious Way.
Jesus Turns the Test (Luke 10:25-37)
“Thy Mercy is more than a match for my heart, which wonders to feel its own hardness depart; dissolved by thy goodness, I fall to the ground, and weep to the praise of the mercy I’ve found.”
— John Stocker, Thy Mercy My God
The Mission of God (Luke 10:17-24)
“Christians go into the world as witnesses of the kingdom (Acts 1:6-8). To spread the kingdom of God is more than simply winning people to Christ. It is also working for the healing of persons, families, relationships, and nations; it is doing deeds of mercy and seeking justice. It is reordering lives and relationships and institutions and communities according to God’s authority to bring in the blessedness of the kingdom.”
— Tim Keller, Ministries of Mercy
On Mission (Luke 10:1-16)
“He left His Father’s throne above, so free, so infinite his grace! Emptied himself of all but love, and bled for Adam’s helpless race. ‘‘Tis mercy all, immense and free, For Oh my God, it found out me!”
— Charles Wesley, d.1788