Searching for Meaning and Purpose...

Here's the dilemma: mercy and forgiveness or safety and justice? I'm not entirely sure myself, but it is the question I'm face with... There is a situation where I'm torn because it could well have been an accident, but at the same time it could equally be completely on purpose. That's why I say it's a dilemma. Jesus always seemed to have the answers in situations like this, but I seem to never have an answer just more questions. Perhaps it's His being the Son of God and knowing everything while I'm just a guy who tries to make wise decisions and do the things He would have done... But, can I let mercy and forgiveness stretch to this 6th incident? I don't think so. If one or two, yeah. But this is after a stout talking to and a serious meeting to define hard lines so that we could keep everyone safe and make things run smoothly. Although Jesus was always forgiving people and is always forgiving me, how can I fail to forgive when I have been ...

After my harsh rhetoric yesterday, I'm left thinking about what matters most. I am no better than the worst and the worst is no better than the best. Sound odd? It should, because it goes so counter to what we know, feel, think, and desire. We naturally group people and things into categories and classify. It is human nature to compare people and classify where we stand in relation to them. I look at Hitler and say he's so horrible because of what he did, while I look at Mother Teresa and say she was so great that I can't compare. Yet, the essence of Christianity is the dichotomy/paradox of grace. Grace says that we are forgiven and made something else. Instead of being an Adolf Hitler, I am told that I am a Mother Teresa. How can that be? Simply trusting and believing in the fact that someone perfect took my place... That belief is what defines Christianity! If there is no substitutionary atonement (meaning that someone took my place!) there is no hope for me. ...