Between Mercy and Grace

Reflections
March 29, 2009

Theological volumes have been written about the concept of grace. From Martin Luther to Karl Barth, great Biblical minds have dissected the term and constructed detailed explanations of its importance to thinking persons of faith. Whether seen as an unmerited gift from God or a saving act of love through Christ, the personal experience of grace is difficult for most of us to get our minds around. Some of our best clues come to us from scripture. I remember the late Dr. Dominic Tamietti, a beloved pastor of this annual conference, offering his definition of grace. Explaining he had been a successful salesman earlier in life he said, “Grace is the best deal you are ever going to get.”

The Psalms are filled with a God of grace who preserves, protects and sustains. Even the prophets while calling for accountable faith remain rooted in the understanding that God's loving-kindness is the source of life. The gospels tell and retell the grace-filled story of the life and ministry of Jesus. In his writings the apostle Paul is strong in emphasizing grace over judgment.

In his letter to the Romans Paul writes, “For there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by God’s grace as a gift.” 3:24. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul reminds the people of God’s work in their lives. “But God, who is rich in mercy; out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ...by grace you have been saved...” 2: 4-5

The pretext promise and print of our faith is that of grace. For God creates in loving-kindness, the promise of Jesus is forgiveness not fear, and our Holy Book speaks more of love than legalism. So why are we in the faith community so quick to judge, so rude and rule bound in matters of belief? In large measure we judge simply because judgment is much easier than grace. To be a person of judgment all we need are the facts and our own formed opinions. To be a person of grace would require putting on the mind of Christ and changing our hearts from earth bound things to heavenly things.

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, developed the concept of prevenient grace, which simply stated says the love of God through Christ is at work in us even when we are not aware of it. Which means even when we are at our very worst, God’s love is aiming for the best in us. That is what I call a deal.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

God's Love is Active, Not Passive

Reflections
March 22, 2009

John 3:14-21 is part of a larger passage which begins with verse one. It is the narrative of the encounter Jesus had with Nicodemus. Though not mentioned by name, Nicodemus is the intended audience of verses 14-21.

You will recall Nicodemus questioned Jesus about the concept of new birth, and Jesus responded by telling the new birth in faith. When pressed by Nicodemus, Jesus amplified the answer. Verses 14-21 continues this expanded answer to include the understanding of just how great the love of God is, and that new life in faith leads to transformed living. It appears in the text Nicodemus believed Jesus' thinking absurd.

In Nicodemus, we find the armchair quarter-back in all of us. We detach ourselves from the game; analyze the action, and pronounce judgment upon those participating. This comes from the narrowness of our single minded thinking. Jesus and Nicodemus were both Jews, each devout by any standard or measure of faith. Jesus in his openness affirmed Nicodemus where he was, and invited him to look at questions outside of his present experience. Nicodemus, either through fear of something new, or pride, would not open his heart or mind to a new understanding and experience of God.

We are not unlike Nicodemus. We find it easier to find fault than find common ground between differences. It is easier to raise questions and cast doubt than to seek that we may know or adjust our frame of reference and broaden our perspective.

The gospel writer tells us in Jesus, God sent the very best. Not to judge or condemn, but out of love, that our lives might be blessed. No pie in the sky theology, but abundant life, full members of the Kingdom here and now. The only catch is we have to claim our tickets. At times though it's more fun to evaluate than be part of the action.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Accept and Live It, Don't Analyze It

Reflections
March 15, 2009

In 1 Corinthians 1:22-23 Paul writes, "For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles." The tension is between wisdom and power. Some want religion and the experience of faith to be wise beyond measure, irrefutable, authoritative. Others want a life of faith filled with power and experience of the Holy. Paul in fact infers that both are elements of the experience he knows in Christ, but to the groups in question, Paul's witness presents roadblocks to the faith experience.

Paul is not picking on the Jewish community, remember he is a Jew as is Jesus. He is not making fun of the Greeks or Gentiles either, for they both were of prime interest to him in terms of mission and conversion. Paul's interest was expressing the Good News of Christ, and here he pointedly states the risks found in sharing the Good News.

Those same risks exist today. We live in a highly technological age. Information comes to us quickly and powerfully from our computers, radios, and televisions. While these may be used as tools for ministry, the most effective expressions of faith are still the written and spoken word. To those who live with absolutes, no expression is effective, and we (or rather our faith) remains foolish or a stumbling block.

Do we then stop sharing the Good News of Jesus? Of course not! We are called by the love of Christ to witness. To share what we have experienced. To tell what we know to be true of God's love. To do so in worship, with song, and prayer, and in the very way we live. To do so, not because all will believe, but that all may believe.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Aveue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

The Warranty of Faith is Legacy and Love

REFLECTIONS
March 8, 2009

The essence of the Hebrew Bible is covenant. Which is to say contract law. In Genesis seventeen, God comes to Abram and proposes a working arrangement. I will be your God and you will be my ambassador. Leading my people through trial and tribulation until they reach the land I have promised them. For this Abram would receive a legacy or inheritance of a nation of people related to him according to God, “numbering as great as the stars.” What a promise! Were any of us to receive such a promise could we refuse? It is interesting for two basic reasons. First Abram is older than dirt itself (as is his lovely bride Sari). Second, Abram knew plenty of gods, but this One claimed to be The One who could deliver.

It is important for us as modern believers to remember that people in this time of history followed a divergent mind set where household gods and regional gods held great sway over individuals and society as well. Yet Abram aged and worn is told he and his very mature wife will , if they follow the lead, be parents of virtually all of humanity. Scripture, of course, records that Abram and Sari accept the offer of God along with the warranty, yet they do so after first laughing at it. However do we really understand the terms of the agreement?

While it looks straightforward, “I will be your God and you will be my people... and your numbers will number greater than the stars.” The truth of the matter is that both Abram and Sari doubt the possibility of God to uphold the contract. It is only after Abram and Sari see that the fine print requires serious change, as in their names from Abram to Abraham, and Sari to Sarah, that they understand God is serious.

Far too often we misinterpret the experience of faith as saying a few words or participating in a particular ritual. However, the rubric of faith at its essence involves change. A change of identity, if you will, from one person before we knew God, to a complete different person afterward. Part of the question we must ask ourselves even here, even now is what is the legacy we wish to leave? Does it belong to us or in the end does it belong only to God?

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Faith Is A Quiet Riot

Reflections
March 1, 2009

Great teachers and philosophers warn against having a higher opinion of oneself than necessary. The other side of the argument is the old adage which says if we don't blow our own horn who will. Our lives must be lived in real time somewhere in between the two, but we are given stories which shed light on the subject.

Luke 18:9-14 has Jesus telling the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector. It begins with the warning of those who trust in their own righteousness rather than that of God. It goes on to say the pharisee stood in the Temple praying in a loud voice how grateful he was that he wasn't like the lowly tax collector. His fine clothes and abundant wealth were proof of God's approval. The tax collector, however, hid in a corner praying earnestly for God's mercy. The passage closes with some hard words in verse fourteen "for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted." RSV

It seems normal when we accomplish something to have a certain amount of self-satisfaction and pride. Yet taken literally, this parable would suggest we never do this. Parables were used to exaggerate and overstate the obvious. Here Jesus uses contrast to point out the lack of focus in the spiritual life of the Pharisee. In the Temple of the Holy the Pharisee believed only two things...his personal accomplishments and attributes were the path to salvation, and his goodness was greater than any other persons.

The tax collector on the other hand knew only one thing...his need of God and the vastness of mercy and love found therein.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood CA 91601

Believing is So Much More Than Seeing

Reflections
February 22, 2009

In this electronic age, life moves at the speed of light and sound. We can take college courses through our television, do our banking and pay bills with our computer and order products made half a world away with our telephone.

We are people impressed by numbers. How much, how big, how fast, how far, are the questions we seek answers for. Statistics are important we are told, for this is how we can compare and contrast products, policy and even people. In baseball for example, statistics are used to compile data on every conceivable action on the field. All movement, be it offensive or defensive, even mistakes are counted and evaluated. The purpose of the statistics is two fold. First, to compare current players with others on the field; and secondly, to compare them with the greats of the past. The problem, of course, is that statistics merely give us the facts. The numbers do not tell is how modern players would perform if placed back in history, or how historical players would respond today.

I recently found the following information about the Bible: "The Bible contains 3, 566,480 letters; 773,746 words; 31,173 verses; 1,189 chapters and 66 books. The word and occurs 46,277 times. The word Lord occurs 1,855 times. The word Reverend occurs but once, which is the 9th verse of the 118th Psalm. The 21st verse of the 7th chapter of Ezra contains all the letters of the alphabet except the letter J. The longest verse is the 9th verse of the 11th chapter of St. John. There are no words or names more than six syllables."

These statistics about the Bible are just that, a numerical analysis of word usage, phrasing, and frequency. They tell us nothing about the text historically, the people for whom the words were written or the authors. The numbers give us nothing which we can grasp in spiritual terms. In faith we know the Bible is the Holy Scripture; written by human hands, but inspired by God. It is the story of God at work in the lives of people. It is history and it is spiritual narrative. Though recorded in print, it is not dated or time bound. For the God of the Bible is yet alive, moving about in Spirit and Truth. One wonders which the Creator would find more important, attempting to live the ideals of the Bible, or counting the letters included therein. Heaven knows there is room for both.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Ave., No. Hollywood, CA 91601