by Barry Newton

I suspect at one time or another we have all been tempted to think: "they do not deserve my time," "she does not deserve my forgiveness," "he does not deserve the effort," or "they do not deserve another chance." Perhaps some people are undeserving, if we judge their worthiness based upon how they treat us. If how we act toward others is determined by how we judge their worthiness, it can be hard to forgive or to love.

Such an approach to life contributes to a recipe for disaster, since a variety of studies reveal people tend to view themselves in a more positive light than others see them./1 What might we expect from this? It suggests that not only will people see themselves as performing more good than others will give them credit for doing, but there may be a tendency for people to view themselves as giving more toward a relationship or a group than what they understand they are receiving.

For someone to measure out how much forgiveness or love will be expressed toward others, based upon what that individual perceives himself or herself to be receiving, it can easily lead to an "it's-all-about-me" approach of living, which tends to focus upon a circle of activities and friends that can often grow smaller. After all, from this perspective why do it if it is not paying off? Accordingly, one possible result can be a fundamental dissatisfaction and resentment with others, which can contribute toward one's own bitterness and either an ever narrowing of service or an abandonment of the relationship.

When Jesus said, "even the pagans greet those who greet them," he acknowledged just how common it is for people to gauge their response upon their perceptions of how others are treating them. Are we not extremely fortunate that God has not treated us in this way? While we were still reeking from the stench of truly being undeserving, God loved us by sending His Son to endure the nails pushing through his flesh, and to be lifted up on the cross in humiliation, and under a curse to become our guilt offering. As sinners, we did not deserve this much love ... we did not deserve any of God's love, but He loved us anyway.

To those who desire to follow Jesus, the Lord in essence taught, I want you to do something greater toward others than the common "if you will contribute your 50% (or 100%) toward this relationship, I'll give my 50% (or 100%)." God calls His people to love others, not based upon how others treat them, but based upon His model of loving the undeserving. For those who become His, God forges a new identity and purpose which is to be shaped by this type of love./2 God's people are not to limit their acts of loving service to those who deserve it.

Praise God that He responded to our needs based upon His love and mercy and not upon whether we deserved it! May we continue to learn to give, to sacrifice our time and resources, to forgive and to show love to others in the same manner as how He first loved us.

1\ "The Enchanted Glass," Scientific American May 2004

2\ Matthew 5:43-48; 1 John 3:16; 4:8-12; Ephesians 2:10; Titus 3:8

by David R. Pharr

Have you ever heard someone say that Judas betrayed Jesus for a mere thirty pieces of silver?

It is true that the chief priests paid Judas thirty silver pieces (Matthew 26:14-16). It is also true that this was the Old Testament price of a slave (Exodus 21:32).

What is it, however, that makes Judas' action so tragic? Is it that he sold Jesus? Or, is it that he sold Jesus for such a small amount?

It sometimes seems that what people find so shocking is that Judas betrayed the Lord for so little. Indeed, some might feel that Judas sinned in selling Jesus too cheaply.

But would his crime have been less heinous if the reward had been greater? Could we be more understanding if he had gotten a million dollars instead of a mere thirty pieces of silver?

Judas Iscariot was not the last to betray the Lord for a certain price. Whether the value received seems more or less than the infamous thirty pieces matters not. The shameful and damnable crime is in selling Christ at all, no matter what one receives in return.

Many who have marveled over the enormity of Judas' crime perhaps have not considered that there are other ways to sell Christ. What of the youth who compromises principles to be accepted by friends? What of the woman who leaves the church to please her husband? What about the man who accepts dishonesty in business because there is money to be made? What about the one who returns to the world because it's easier than being faithful to the Lord?

We may have thought that Judas was a unique person. The sad truth is, however, that the evil that ruled in the heart of Judas rules in much of humanity. Judas, no doubt, had the same kind of yearnings, made the same excuses, and rationalized his actions just as do others who betray the Lord. The bottom line is not how much or what kind of payment one receives. What is significant is that Jesus is "sold" — at any price!

Thanks to The Voice of Truth International, Vol. 36, pgs. 11-12.

by J. Randal Matheny

As my son, Joel, and I traveled to Texas recently to report to churches, we saw in a couple places along the highway a simple billboard, with a single phrase followed by a phone number: "We buy ugly houses."

Why ugly houses? Why not just any house? Maybe this company specializes in dispatching houses that have lost their general appeal to home-owners. I can't really say.

But the phrase suggests a spiritual application. God specializes in redeeming lost mankind. His advertising slogan, if we might apply such words to the divine mission, might be: "We redeem ugly lives."

Ugly because every human being has become repugnant to the Lord from welcoming sin and giving it space. Because the wear and tear of transgression left us dilapidated. Because we no longer deserve to take up space in the exclusive real estate of God's presence.

From space, the earth presents a breathtaking sight. From heaven, however, the "world" is one large, polluted segment of the universe in God's eyes.

That favorite verse of the Bible describes the ugliness of sin. When John 3:16 says that "God so loved the world," the connotation behind the word "world" is dark, sad, bleak, and heavy. The world describes rebellious and estranged mankind running from the Creator's blessed purpose.

Paul uses a one-two-three punch to describe how God redeems ugly lives. In Romans 5, the apostle to the nations scales the heights of the Father's love by sounding the depths of man's sin:

• "when we were still powerless" (v. 6)
• "while we were still sinners" (v. 8)
• "when we were God's enemies" (v. 10)

Who would want us in such a state? Why would a self-sufficient Deity care for such creatures, after we have royally bunged things up? I can't really say, but Love with a capital "L" is the only explanation behind this unbelievable offer, "We buy ugly lives."

Like the stark billboard offering to buy ugly houses, God, too, follows his simple revelation of redemption by a phone number. A means of contact to take advantage of the offer. A way to receive the free gift of grace to beautify and restore what was once perfect.

Faith and obedience. "Trust and obey." A "yes" answer to accept cleansing, purification, restoration of an ugly life marred by rejection of God's greatest gift of himself.

He redeems ugly lives.

Have you called him about that offer?

by Stan Mitchell

He was a righteous man, and a priest. No doubt, he had read many times the story of the aged Abraham, and God's promise of a son. He must have thrilled at the angel's question, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14). He may have wept silently at the ancient account of Isaac's birth, for he understood only too well Abraham's deepest longing.

Abraham had wanted a son more than life itself, and the God of heaven, who loves His people and keeps His promises, gave him a son. No doubt, the priest had also read the story of Hannah's prayer for a son. She had cried the tears of the desperately lonely, and had promised that, if given a son, she would dedicate him to God. He may have smiled when he read that Eli had told her, "Go in peace; the God of Israel grant you the petition you have made to him" (1 Samuel 1:17). Of course Hannah's prayer was granted, for God is a God who kept His promises, and loves His children. In those long ago days He led and loved and blessed His people.

But perhaps the priest wondered: Does God guide and love His people still? Does He still answer prayer? Might the Lord of heaven, even on that day, answer His deepest longing for a son?

"Do not be afraid," the angel had said, "Your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John" (Luke 1:13).

Zechariah believed that God had answered Abraham's prayer, and Hannah's, too. But he just could not believe that God wished to bless him with a child. Could God's blessings be for him, too?

Zechariah had nine months to think the matter over. God struck him dumb for his lack of faith. Which brings up an important question. If every Christian who failed to believe God's promises today were struck dumb...how many of us could say "hello" this morning?

Thanks to The Voice of Truth International, Vol. 36, pg. 79.

By Michael E. Brooks

"Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom" (Proverbs 4:5-7a).

Kalimpang, India is a beautiful city of several thousand inhabitants, high in the foothills of the Himalayas in north-eastern India. Until about 1900 it was just a sleepy small village in a remote and rather harsh (though beautiful) setting. But then a British educator came and built a school, which was soon known throughout a wide area for its excellence. Students came, then others until a large and vigorous community was created, which endures to this day. Kalimpang now is probably better known as a tourist and trekking destination, but its school is still open, still of highest reputation, and still making a positive contribution to the city.

Many cities worldwide are known because of schools located within them. Athens, Greece was the bastion of culture and wisdom for centuries. Alexandria, Egypt; Cambridge, England; Cambridge, Massachusetts; and many other ancient and modern cities are linked with schools or with the ideals of education and wisdom. All this is simply to suggest that there is something fundamentally constructive about the whole process of education and those who devote themselves to it.

There is, however, a caution which we must add. The Bible word for the constructive product of education is "wisdom". The pursuit of wisdom and its exercise are wholeheartedly endorsed throughout Scripture. There is a distinction between wisdom and mere knowledge, though. The pursuit of facts alone does not constitute true education. It is the possession of facts (i.e., knowledge) along with discernment and judgment (i.e., wisdom) that brings blessing. And true wisdom is found only when one seeks after God. James teaches,

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 2:5).

Paul adds, "Knowledge puffs up" (1 Corinthians 8:1b). Intellectual arrogance and pride abound in our modern degree-conscious world. One's worth is assessed by the string of letters or titles following his or her name. Our vocabulary is increasingly laden with technical terms that only the informed insider can recognize, so that we have many "languages" designed to be spoken only within a small, knowledgeable circle. Does this really make us worth more? Does it constitute true wisdom? Not according to the Bible.

The genuinely wise person is the one who knows how little he truly does know. The one who recognizes his own insufficiency and need for God. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7). Only when we turn to him in humility and need can we be said to have acted wisely.