Christ came for us while we were in sin and called us to His glory and to grace. In return for His gift of life, earned by His death, we are to give of ourselves. But to whom do we give? Do we give to Jesus? Yes, by giving to the body of Christ. But who is the body of Christ? Some say it is the church. But where is the church? Everywhere we look there are those claiming to be the church and asking for our money as if it is a debt we owe them. But where is the church? Jesus said, whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother. So, are the gifts only for those that are already righteous? But one cannot be righteous without the gift of Jesus Christ. So the body of Christ is made of the righteous in Christ and those on the path to be one of the righteous in Christ.

What about sinners that will repent and become one of the righteous in Christ? What about the righteous that will fall, or jump, from grace? Could it be that we, like Jesus, should show love to everyone? Could it be that we, like Jesus, should forgive and show mercy to everyone? Humanity expects more than it can give. We expect perfection. When we do not get perfection, we expect sacrifice. If you had only known what it meant I desire mercy and not sacrifice, the innocent would not have to die. God did/does not expect perfection and God does show mercy. Humanity’s sin was not eating from the fruit of the tree from the center of the garden. Humanity’s sin was and is hiding from God because we have eaten from the tree.

We must accept our need for mercy and forgiveness and accept the gift from Jesus Christ. Jesus lived to show us an example of a life of love. Jesus died because we demanded a sacrifice for our sins, because we would not accept mercy. The death of Jesus is a sacrament, a visual witness, of the mercy of God. Jesus died for us while we are still sinners. While we are still not perfect, we are partakers of God’s mercy and are under God’s grace. During the year, at seasons or times of giving, remember the gift of mercy. Love is for everyone.

© 1999 Tim D. Coulter Sr.