To Follow Jesus
My notes on Every Day with Jesus, written by Selwyn Hughes; revised and updated by Mick Brooks, published by CWR.
July/August 2015 Issue – Pursued by Grace, ‘I know that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love’ (Jonah 4:2)
The text set for today’s reading and meditation:
Jonah 4:11 (NIVUK): ‘”And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”‘
Now we come to the last day of this issue about being ‘Pursued by Grace’, and Selwyn provides us with an excellent summary, which covers the abrupt ending to the story of Jonah (we never hear his response to God’s question).
“So now we must stop being curious about how Jonah answered God’s question and give our own response to it.
How do we feel about a God who loves those whose lives are characterised with godlessness and sin? Are we more interested in seeing them get their just deserts than in finding pardon and forgiveness?
Hopefully through the life of Jonah, we have had a glimpse into the immense world of God’s grace. The story focuses our gaze afresh on the fact that the God we serve and worship loves not just one particular race or people but the whole wide world.”
Judgment regarding a person’s spiritual status is purely a matter for God, while we may make judgments about good and evil actions, we can never make a judgment about a person’s relationship with the one and only God – that’s God’s territory.
I believe we are called to a life of compassion, mercy, forgiveness and love, which reflects the unconditional love of Jesus. He died on the cross for the whole world, even though not everyone will respond to His call to follow Him. (I’m avoiding the predestination debate for the moment, but I will say that God’s children are all chosen by Him.)
Any final comments on this subject?