Monday, July 7, 2008

The Disobedient Preacher - Jonah

Why is it today that there are some preachers who love to talk about God’s love but ignore His judgment while there are others who will preach judgment but will not show mercy? They preach that AIDS or SARS is God’s judgment against a sinful people but they are reluctant to show that God wishes to extend His mercy and grace to everyone who will turn to Him. Some fire and brimstone preachers are like Jonah and want God to punish sinners rather than extend them grace. They want judgment today but God wants people to have time to repent of their sins.

Jonah was the reluctant prophet who could not accept the mercy and grace of God that was extended to the enemies of his people. God wanted to show grace through His prophet but instead He showed grace in spite of His prophet and in doing so He also showed grace to His prophet. In the end the Ninevites accepted His grace while the prophet did not. How often the people of this world are more willing to accept God’s grace than the people of God. This should never be as it is only by His grace that we can be part of the family of God.

Continued tomorrow - LW

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