Sabbath Services
We are sinful debtors in need of repentance and forgiveness. Do we strain at a gnat and swallow a camel as the Pharisees did (Matthew 23)? Are we so concerned with the little things that we neglect the weightier matters of the law? We must be compassionate, merciful, forgiving people driven by a love for God and a love for our fellow man. We are not to have a heart of stone; our love is not to wax cold. The sacrifice God desires of us is a poor and contrite heart, to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God. As long as we are willing to forgive others – regardless of whether they deserve it or not – God can extend much greater forgiveness and mercy towards us. God cannot forgive those who lack forgiveness themselves. Are we cold hearted people who exact penalty every chance we have, or do we exercise discernment and are able to be moved by compassion when the situation calls for it? Satan is the accuser of the brethren; we ought not be. Seek peace. Be willing to turn the other cheek. There is both room for judgment, law, and justice as well as mercy, compassion, and forgiveness. We must be balanced, wise Christians.
