Happy Monday to all! Yesterday, from Genesis 34, we looked at the difference between justice and the vengeance of man. Justice seeks for wrongs to be righted and for proper punishments for crimes committed. The vengeance of man seeks for others to be destroyed. Jacob’s sons were right to be angry over the abuse of their sister Dinah. But they were wrong to carry out vengeance, not just on the ones who committed the abuse, but on those who were simply connected to them by nationality. We learned that God will bring about perfect justice and right every wrong in the end. In fact, the cross points to perfect justice. God did not just overlook our sin. Christ Jesus came to die on the cross and justly pay the deserved penalty for sin. God can forgive us because in Jesus’ death on the cross, our sins have been atoned for, paid for, justly. We can justly forgive others knowing that if they will believe in Jesus, their wrongs against us and their sins against holy God will also be justly forgiven. God does not give people what we justly deserve. In Christ Jesus, God poured His perfect wrath on His Son that we justly deserved because of our sins so we could be justly forgiven. God tells us as His children, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord,’” (Romans 12:19, ESV). His children are never to repay evil for evil. We are to leave that in the just hands of God. Desire justice and avoid vengeance as the people of God knowing that God will work it all out in the end. God’s people trust God to right all the wrongs in His perfect timing.
We will have a potluck luncheon after worship, next Sunday, May 10. Bring enough food to feed your family and a little extra for any guest who might be with us.
Also, beginning next Sunday, which is Mother’s Day, we will be passing out baby bottles for the annual CareNet offering. From Mother’s Day until Father’s Day, we encourage people to put their change, bills, and checks in these bottles. At Father’s Day, we will bring these bottles back to the church and then return them to CareNet to support their ministry to help pregnant women in our community choose life.
Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.
Love being your pastor!
Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church