“For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment”
(James 2:13, NASB).
New Testament
Love and the Law
Our Certitudes
Augustine, the church father of the fifth century, was very close in his youth to the groups inspired by the Manichaeism, a major Gnostic religion of his time, founded by Mani, an Iranian prophet. It is interesting to note why he didn’t finally accept to follow their teachings. He found that they are not always pertinent regarding their own identity. They were able to contradict the positions of others and not necessarily capable to explain their own philosophy with conviction. Here is the quotation from his book “De Utilitate Credendi: “But what reason, on the other hand, recalled me, not to be altogether joined to them, so that I continued in that rank which they call of Hearers, so that I resigned not the hope and business of this world; save that I noticed that they also are rather eloquent and full in refutation of others, than abide firm and sure in proof of what is their own.” (p. 2.)
We can also have the same attitude. As we hear the position of others, we are very talented to discover the errors in their reasoning. However, we don’t spend enough of time to clarify our own position, to be familiar with what we strongly believe, and to determine what the important values in our life are. Thus, we are easily shaken in our convictions and the result is that almost insignificant things can change the directions of our entire life.
The apostle Paul said it eloquently: “I’m not ashamed [of my faith] for I know whom I have believed.” (2 Timothy 1:12)
Therefore, take time to understand who you are, what you believe, and what is the essence of your identity. And when you discover your certitudes, don’t spend too much time in fighting the positions of others. May all your focus be on the truth that you have discovered. Fight for the truth you know and be kind with those who don’t know what you know. May through this standpoint you become more tolerant of others and less confused about yourself. And this is really worthy of all your efforts.
Habemus Iesum Christum
Thousands and thousands of faithful people came to the St. Peter’s Square on March 13, 2013, waiting for the election of the new pope. It was only the second day of the conclave. But they were right. The white smoke confirmed that the cardinals chose someone among them to take the charge of the Bishop of Rome. The jubilant crowd has received with delight the famous words: ‘Habemus Papam’ (We have the Pope). Their exultation was really profound. Without knowing the new pontiff, they’ve just continued to appreciate this important moment and to express their gladness for the new leader of the Catholic Church.
Thinking of their pure and sincere joy, we cannot avoid thinking about the attitude of every child of God. In fact, we have so many reasons to be happy, to be delighted. Every day we can experience the wonderful reality of having someone who is our guide and our protector, and who doesn’t need to be elected. He is on our side since the beginning of the world. To use the same expression as it was pronounced on the St. Peter’s Square, and using the Vulgate version of the Bible, we can affirm: “Habemus Iesum Christum”:
“My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father, Jesus Christ. The one who is truly righteous.” (1 John 2: 1.) In Latin, ‘Habemus advocatum Iesum Christum Iustum’.
N. T. Wright, a very known New Testament scholar, declared, “When we learn to read the story of Jesus and see it as the story of the love of God, doing for us what we could not do for ourselves – that insight produces, again and again, a sense of astonished gratitude which is very near the heart of authentic Christian experience.”
What a joy to have Jesus Christ. What a blessed assurance to have Him as our Lord and Savior. “Looking unto Jesus we obtain brighter and more distinct views of God, and by beholding we become changed. Goodness, love for our fellow men, becomes our natural instinct. We develop a character which is the counterpart of the divine character. Growing into His likeness, we enlarge our capacity for knowing God. More and more we enter into fellowship with the heavenly world, and we have continually increasing power to receive the riches of the knowledge and wisdom of eternity. (Ellen G. White, Christ Object Lessons, p. 355.)
Let’s allow God to fill our hearts with the joy of Jesus-Christ. And may this joy be perfectly seen in our life, until His coming. Be glad. HABEMUS IESUM CHRISTUM.