Anderson Hills

Honoring commitments impacts all dimensions of life. The people of Judah, with the priests leading the way, had failed to keep their covenant agreement with God. They treated God with disrespect, dishonoring His name. They treated sacred things as common. They turned away from God’s Law, disobeying His commandments. Malachi provides a stern rebuke. He reminds his hearers that if they fail to keep their commitments, God will curse them or let them suffer the consequences of their choices. God wants you committed to Him so that the world may know He is important to you. God wants you committed to Him to strengthen you to become what He created you to be. Jesus lived a life committed to Father God. As His disciples, we are to walk in the same way.

Honoring commitments impacts all dimensions of life. The people of Judah, with the priests leading the way, had failed to keep their covenant agreement with God. They treated God with disrespect, dishonoring His name. They treated sacred things as common. They turned away from God’s Law, disobeying His commandments. Malachi provides a stern rebuke. He reminds his hearers that if they fail to keep their commitments, God will curse them or let them suffer the consequences of their choices. God wants you committed to Him so that the world may know He is important to you. God wants you committed to Him to strengthen you to become what He created you to be. Jesus lived a life committed to Father God. As His disciples, we are to walk in the same way.

Malachi wrote this book to Jews who thought they were following God. And yet God was displeased with them. The priests were corrupt—they were not teaching God’s Word and were presenting polluted offerings to God. The people had ceased giving their tithes to God and their marriages were in shambles. And yet, they all would have claimed to be faithfully following God. Because of their circumstances, they doubted God’s love, and therefore did not keep His covenant with them. They worshiped God, but their hearts were far from Him. Their religion had form but lacked any real substance. It is possible to go through the motions, obeying without love. It is possible to cling to the truth and serve God, yet do so in a loveless, lifeless fashion. Are you just going through the motions?

Malachi wrote this book to Jews who thought they were following God. And yet God was displeased with them. The priests were corrupt—they were not teaching God’s Word and were presenting polluted offerings to God. The people had ceased giving their tithes to God and their marriages were in shambles. And yet, they all would have claimed to be faithfully following God. Because of their circumstances, they doubted God’s love, and therefore did not keep His covenant with them. They worshiped God, but their hearts were far from Him. Their religion had form but lacked any real substance. It is possible to go through the motions, obeying without love. It is possible to cling to the truth and serve God, yet do so in a loveless, lifeless fashion. Are you just going through the motions?

One of today’s most challenging issues is trying to balance grace and truth. Whether on issues of sexuality, race, politics, or a host of other “hot button” issues, Jesus followers struggle to relationally navigate how to love people in our polarized world. What makes this so difficult is that some Christian beliefs or truths are considered hateful and harmful in themselves. And regardless of how kind you may be towards others, for some, the position itself is considered harmful. In these situations, it comes down to how we handle grace and truth. It can be challenging or awkward to live in the tension of showing grace and showing truth. We may not always get it right, but we can do our best to follow Jesus’ example of being full of grace and truth with both rooted in love.

One of today’s most challenging issues is trying to balance grace and truth. Whether on issues of sexuality, race, politics, or a host of other “hot button” issues, Jesus followers struggle to relationally navigate how to love people in our polarized world. What makes this so difficult is that some Christian beliefs or truths are considered hateful and harmful in themselves. And regardless of how kind you may be towards others, for some, the position itself is considered harmful. In these situations, it comes down to how we handle grace and truth. It can be challenging or awkward to live in the tension of showing grace and showing truth. We may not always get it right, but we can do our best to follow Jesus’ example of being full of grace and truth with both rooted in love.

We desperately need truth in our lives. Truth refers to the legal demands on humanity that God’s character requires and the absolute law He established in His Word. At some point in our lives, we all need someone as gracious as Jesus to tell us this truth—you are not okay. You do not need to push away those feelings of guilt that weigh you down. You are guilty. And anyone who tells you otherwise, is not telling you the truth. Truth, in the eyes of Jesus, is carrying out and abiding in God’s will in a consistent and obedient manner. In a world filled with false teaching and false teachers, we really need to know the truth, live out the truth, and teach the truth. We should be aware that the enemy wants us to choose the preferences of human beings over the truths of God. We must share the truth!

We desperately need truth in our lives. Truth refers to the legal demands on humanity that God’s character requires and the absolute law He established in His Word. At some point in our lives, we all need someone as gracious as Jesus to tell us this truth—you are not okay. You do not need to push away those feelings of guilt that weigh you down. You are guilty. And anyone who tells you otherwise, is not telling you the truth. Truth, in the eyes of Jesus, is carrying out and abiding in God’s will in a consistent and obedient manner. In a world filled with false teaching and false teachers, we really need to know the truth, live out the truth, and teach the truth. We should be aware that the enemy wants us to choose the preferences of human beings over the truths of God. We must share the truth!

We desperately need grace in our lives. We learn about grace and love in Scripture through Jesus’ actions with the sinful people He encountered, and in our personal encounters with Him. Grace is a gift from God, a gift that is not earned or deserved. Grace is the love of God that comes to us through His Son. God’s grace is an expression of His unconditional love, and we need to believe and receive it for ourselves before we can share it with others. While God calls us to believe and stand on truth, He also calls us to demonstrate His grace and love. It is possible to disagree with someone’s choices and still love and value them. Biblical beliefs should never be a basis to devalue another human being. Ask God to help you see where you need to change your posture, showing others compassion and empathy.

We desperately need grace in our lives. We learn about grace and love in Scripture through Jesus’ actions with the sinful people He encountered, and in our personal encounters with Him. Grace is a gift from God, a gift that is not earned or deserved. Grace is the love of God that comes to us through His Son. God’s grace is an expression of His unconditional love, and we need to believe and receive it for ourselves before we can share it with others. While God calls us to believe and stand on truth, He also calls us to demonstrate His grace and love. It is possible to disagree with someone’s choices and still love and value them. Biblical beliefs should never be a basis to devalue another human being. Ask God to help you see where you need to change your posture, showing others compassion and empathy.