“To live in the light of that great day when perfect justice will be done and all things will be put right is to live a life free from the need to pay people back or hold grudges.”- Timothy Keller
“If any of you has a dispute with one another, do you dare take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?”- 1 Corinthians 6:1-2 (NIV)
Timothy Keller concludes Chapter 9 of Hope in Times of Fear as he discusses how the resurrection transforms attitudes towared wealth and broken relationships. Rather than give his readers a rule or command (2 Corinthians 8:8-9), Paul gave them a paradigm. Jesus enriched us and the world through His poverty. Therefore, out of fullness of love and joy, we imitate Him.
Above all, the rule (tithing) fails to deal with our lack of generosity. Because we tend to keep our money for ourselves out of pride or fear. However, the gospel reminds us of the genuine riches and inheritance we possess through Christ. At infinite cost to Him. Despite the sacrifices and losses it may bring, we must live in accordance with the new creation.
And in regard to relationships, Paul exhorts Christians to live in the light of the future ‘resurrection of the righteous.’ Thus, the world would know Christians for their willingness to reconcile, mutually give up rights, and forgive. It involves living a life free from the need to seek revenge or hold grudges.
Finally, Pastor Keller states:
“So we should forgive those who sin against us and if we do, we will find that the forgivness that can be excruciatingly hard, like a death, will eventually lead to a resurrection and to new freedom and peace. The resurrection then, both past and present, is the key to forgiveness and to the reconciliation of broken relationships.”
Today’s question: How do you live in the light of that great day when perfect justice will be done? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The resurrection and new creation”
