When I think of the authority bestowed upon us by God The Father, countless biblical figures come to mind, but Elijah and the Sons of Thunder, namely, “John and James” stand out among them.

All three figures speak to us of power and authority, and what they understood was what was possible with God’s Authority: the reality of calling down fire from heaven as judgment for gross sin and error.

For a long time, I mistakenly believed that having God’s authority meant performing miraculous things by decreeing and proclaiming “fire and ashes” over situations that I thought were detestable.

But with a deeper, more intimate knowledge of Jesus, I have had to repent of this harsh stance and realize that true authority is revealed in humility, love, and above all, mercy… even here.

Mercy Triumphs Over Judgement

When we see and hear the darkness coming from so many, it is easier to want to call down fire from heaven than to cloak these souls in the love and mercy of God, but it is the very mercy of Christ that Father wants to extend to these ones.

I have often found myself asking for Justice.

When we see the evil all around us, it seems “more right” for us to ask for judgment rather than mercy.

It’s not necessarily a bad thing — but God wants to lift us to an elevated perspective where we are seated with Christ Jesus.

It is from this vantage point that we can rightly distinguish “the sinner in need” from “the demons that drive them”.

It is for the sinner that Christ died.  Who are we to judge that they are not worthy of His sacrifice?

We must come to the realization of His heart, where we find that truly, “mercy triumphs over judgement”.  (James 2:13b NKJV)

We need to change our perspective.

Think for a moment, what if not all our enemies were placed by the enemy… but some were actually placed by God, so that there would be someone to pray for their salvation?

If not us, who will stand in the gap and intercede for their souls?

I often realize that our prayers are still many times formulated with the limitations of carnal intentions and not with the eternal perspective of God’s purposes.

God has distinguished us, Christ followers, as His true children.

Ephesians 5 entreats us to walk in this Love:

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”   Ephesians 5:1-2.

As His children, we are constrained to fulfill the mission assigned to us: to pray for all humanity: friends and enemies alike.

Our prayers must reflect God’s heart, not our own.

Love Your Enemies

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”   Luke 6:27-28 ESV.

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him bread; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for in doing so you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.”   Proverbs 25:21-22 (Paul quotes this again in Romans 12:20)

The Heart of Jesus

When John’s youthful fervor subsided, we find the letters of John that speak of a love that cannot be realized except through direct contact with the heart of Jesus.

How different was John, from a “son of thunder”…. now known as “the one whom Jesus tenderly loved”?

“Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus (tenderly) loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper…”   John 21:20.

Our fleshly, “justice- seeking fury” is quenched by connecting with the motivation of Christ’s heart, “love”, and there we glimpse the embracing magnitude of His sacrifice “born of love”.

His love transforms us completely, making us merciful in our approach towards those around us, whether they are enemies or friends.

This is the sign of the beginning of true conversion, that is, “the U-turn”, which leads us to stand up for all those who touch our hearts, whether they impinge upon us with love or hate, it makes no difference.

… Because our eyes no longer look through “earthly eyes” but through those of The LORD, seeing the goals of His Kingdom; the pursuit of eternal love.

Prayer

Father,

In the name of Jesus, we prostrate ourselves before the Throne of Your Grace, bringing our prayers, and pleas for those imprisoned by a mistaken way of thinking, those embittered, and wandering for years far from Your merciful Grace.

May we, as Your much-loved children be vessels of Your Grace to these ones, turning with a heart of mercy towards them, even when their deeds are so dark.

Behold, Father, we desire to receive a heart transplant today.  Eradicate from us this mistaken view of You that holds us aloof from those bound in sin.

Remove our “heart of stone” and replace it with a heart of flesh that beats with love for You and Your lost ones.

Father, we must not view with contempt and scorn those bound in their sins; we must see them from Your perspective, as souls who desperately need a personal encounter with You.

Only by encountering Your love through us will their lives be transformed.

You are merciful “par excellence”, and You want Your children to be so too.

You desire that all of Your children take on Your characteristics and traits that shine out as light to those lost in the darkness of this world.

It is Christ and His love

that we need to make manifest to this world.

In Jesus Name we ask for this to be so in us.

Amen Amen

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ: for by grace you have been saved.”   Ephesians 2:4-5 ESV.

 

~ Tecla Grazia, Italy.

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Tecla Grazia, Italy.

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