I have an awful memory so it’s not uncommon for me to have zero recall about a church I’ve visited in the past. But I remembered East Side Baptist the moment I walked in this morning. I remembered the pastor – a young guy with a thin build, a short hair cut, warm demeanor, slight lisp and incredible speaking voice. I remembered his love for the have-nots and marginalized in Paragould, Arkansas.
I’ll remember this morning for a long time too.
The sermon was on Jonah – the prophet who ran from God to Spain, was swallowed by a big fish on the way, but was spit out and eventually told the brutes in Nineveh about God as He’d commanded.
“Justice wrapped in love,” the pastor summarized.
Justice
There are two extremes to avoid, he said. On the one hand there’s that church we all hear about in the news – the one that pickets the funerals of soldiers and says Katrina was God’s wrath against New Orleans. The pastor this morning said “fundamentalists” sat around talking about God’s wrath when Katrina hit but Christians prayed for the people of New Orleans, took up offerings, took in displaced families, went to Louisiana to help out. Beautiful.
Love
On the other hand, he said, we sometimes so major on God’s love that we forget He is also just. A day will come when God will pour out justice on the world. There will be a time of judgment for all mankind and to deny that is to say God is not just – only love.
“Justice wrapped in love,” he said. God is just but has “opened a window of grace” for us. Justice is coming for sure but at this time God is lovingly pursuing us, wooing us with kindness, allowing the world to exchange loyalty to Him for life with Him.
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. (Romans 10:9-10)
His conclusion was convicting. I’m doing my best to relay it to you word for word. “It is ludicrous to say we believe in God’s love and coming justice and not show love to others and tell them about Jesus.” He said it’s time to stop yelling at homosexuals and start loving them, to stop picketing abortion doctors and find ways to love them and the women they see. “I’m not saying we shouldn’t have convictions or take a stand,” he said,” but we have to love those who don’t take the same stands we do.”
He reminded me to love those who hurt me too – if I believe in God’s love and that justice is His to dispense and not mine.
He renewed my passion for touring around speaking for Compassion. Five hundred children come to faith in Jesus every day around the world through the ministry of Compassion. This is one way to show and tell the world of God’s love.
I hit a wall yesterday. I miss my kids and my wife. Those old pestering feelings of inadequacy started whispering again. I prayed that God would give me greater gratitude and joy and excitement about singing and playing just one more night before heading home for a few days. And God answered my prayer at East Side Baptist. Because He loves me. I don’t deserve it – none of us do – but He does.
Sarah says:
just the reminder I needed, too, Shaun. Thanks for taking the time to share.
Lindsay says:
🙂
Marci says:
We are honored to have you back at East Side. It is a blessing for my husband and I to serve with our pastor. He has a great passion for the lost and a passion to get people fired up about doing something about it. He allows God to use him, and for that I’m grateful.
I’m grateful, as well, that you allow God to use you. I’m sure you’ll never know this side of eternity how many lives you have touched for Christ.
Krissy says:
I’m really glad you were blessed by this message. I still think it’s a little weird–and discouraging, especially in light of how many people have attacked Rob Bell in recent days–how so many Christians seem really worried about people thinking that God is only love. Of course God is about justice, too–but I think many people equate justice with some kind of arbitrary punishment, which it’s not, but they think that it is, and that’s why they decide to reject God altogether. Speaking as someone who was a devout secularist for most of my life, I really believe that the non-Christian world needs to hear the message about God’s love FIRST. Once you get to the point where you trust God’s character, the idea of justice is a necessary and good thing, not a bad thing. But again, only once you trust God’s character.
Zoë says:
Well said! I know quite a few vehement atheists who attack the church. The reason they do is because they have been so hurt by the unforgiving, hell-fire and brimstone attitude from those who call themselves Christian. I believe it is not my place to judge. It is my place to love. Like you say, it then makes sense.
NancyTyler says:
Was praying about you on the drive to church this morning when an ad for your upcoming show in Maryland came on. God’s so good with timing, and so gracious in the way He gently untangles us from the hurts and the lies.
Jason says:
Wonderful message indeed.
Ron says:
I think I’d like that pastor. And I’ve been struggling with the concepts of a book I’ve just finished reading. Your words helped to confirm what I believe and I’m grateful you (and the pastor) shared them. Much thanks…
Melody Joy King says:
Beautiful, powerful, convicting, and inspiring truth. God is so GREAT, and so very kind all at the same time! I love Romans 2 verse 4 where it talks about the fact that it is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance. Thank you for sharing this. I was blessed. Thanks for doing what you do as well. As someone who has been blessed by your ministry (along with many others to be sure,) I appreciate the sacrifice of time apart that you and your family are making. Lives are being changed and hearts have been blessed. Many blessings to you and yours, Brother. :0)
Jason says:
““I’m not saying we shouldn’t have convictions or take a stand,” he said,” but we have to love those who don’t take the same stands we do.””
That’s it. It seems so many Christian confuse loving someone with approving of their behavior or choices in life. They’re not connected…we have to love each other even when we disagree.
Karen says:
have you seen the documentary “Lord, Save us from your Followers”? It is not “church bashing” as the title might sound, but we found it to be VERY thought provoking and challenging!
SO glad for your worship time yesterday to renew your spirit!
Donna says:
So glad God faithfully met you through the words of that Pastor. My daughters and I so enjoyed meeting you in Valdosta. Blessings and may God continue to give you renewed vision for what He’s called you to do!
D- from the land of sweet tea!!
Prudence says:
I love the contrast of love & justice. People don’t understand that God is both love and just. We tend to want one or the other, in whatever way benefits us.
Love & justice are parallel. They co-exist in harmony.