When we think about the character of God, what pictures or words come to mind?

1. Love
2. Compassion
3. Holy
4. Just
5. Mercy
6. Grace
7. Humble

     When we think about the character of humanity, what pictures or words come to mind?

     Hopefully we think of the same characteristics because we are created in the image of God. Our ideals may mirror those characteristics of God, but what do we truly think about? When we look at the newspaper, listen to or watch a news report we are not given an indicator of those qualities very often. The television shows and the characters that become part of our hero worship rarely display the character that we idealize. We see them work for "the good of society" while we understand with the characters that "the ends justify the means." Let’s think together about the qualities of humanity displays, as opposed to the ideals we espouse.

1. We concur that the characteristics of God are displayed, in some measure, by humanity.
2. Self- seeking
3. Violent
4. Political
5. Biased or prejudiced
6. Unforgiving
7. Unkind
8. Arrogant

     We want to believe that with the right amount of education and/or behavior modification we can help people to aspire to the ideals that we hold. However, I would challenge us to consider the reality of things. No matter how much we are educated regarding the issues of addictive behaviors we find ourselves addicted. No matter how much we understand the need for people to live in peace and harmony we continue to see people warring with one another over lands, money, gender, race, and religion. Addictive behaviors don’t just include alcohol or substance abuse and warring does not just include armed conflict. Any behavior that does not promote the health and well being of all people at all times is addictive and/or warlike.

     I truly believe that people want to do the right things. I believe that people are generally raised to do what is right and there is a sense in which that is the most important thing. Parents don’t want their children to grow up to be criminals. They don’t want to see their children display antisocial behaviors. They want to see their children grow up and have things better than they had. We all want to see people happy and productive, and we are dismayed when we see people filled with depression, anger, and rage. We grieve with the people who lost loved ones in Wakefield the day after Christmas and we grieve with those who lost loved ones in El Salvador in the earthquake yesterday. There are so many signs that we can point to and recognize that all is not lost. Yet, we face the reality that though there is much that is good there is so much that is lost.

     What does God require of us? Micah said, "To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." This is what God wants for all people, but it is what He requires for His children. God desires that none should perish but that all come to repentance. The Lord desires that all look to His Son and believe and receive the righteousness of God into their lives. God desires that we live and display His characteristics in this world. However, He recognizes that apart from His Son Jesus this is not going to happen. So, the first thing that God requires is that we come into relationship with Him through Jesus. This happens when we take responsibility for our actions in life that are outside the perfect will of God and confess our sin. After this we receive the forgiveness of our sins and by choosing God to be Lord and Savior we walk in the fullness of life. There is more to being a Christian than this.

     What does God require of us? Paul said in Philippians 2:12-13 – "…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." In Ephesians 2 – "Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ… For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." James said that his faith is displayed in the way that he lived. Peter wrote that our lives had to bear witness to the holiness of God for we are a "holy nation and a royal priesthood."

     What does God require of us? We are to have hearts that are changed by faith in Jesus Christ. What does that bring? It brings a new heart and a new way of thinking. The prophet Ezekiel wrote these words – "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws" (36:26-27). It brings, for the first time, an ability to honor God with our lives.

     Justice – Impartiality, fair, the ideal of right action, the establishment or determination of rights according to the rules of law or equity. It is conformity to the principles of truth, fact, or reason.

     Mercy – Compassion or forbearance shown to an offender or to one subject to one’s power. It is a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion. Compassionate treatment of those in distress.

     Humility – It is not being proud, haughty, or arrogant. It is unpretentious, but sees clearly what is without putting oneself forward.

Back to Sermons