Indulgences...

I remember being in high school history and learning about the Roman Catholic indulgences, the practice of priests forgiving sins for money, or favors, and usually wealthy people thinking they are getting out of some punishment in purgatory or Hell. This practice was so offensive that it was one of the core reforms of the Protestant reformation. While today after five hundred or so years we look back and think of what a corrupt practice that was, yet we unknowingly practice our sort of private indulgence today. Think about it... what do you do to gain God's favor? I know we think we don't BUT how do we live and how do our words and actions line up to what we say, think, and do. Often times our actions betray us. For example... why do you serve or volunteer? Why do you read your bible? Because you have to? Because there is some horrible consequence that awaits you? A wrath too much to bear. That is a great system under law, but it is not the heart of Jesus. If you study the word origins of the words in Greek & Hebrew the words for wrath both have roots in the words for passion not punishment. God's passion is focused onto the death agent, sin... and He kills off all that brings us death. So if God's wrath is based in love why do we live a life based on the fear of how God will punish us instead of living in the peace of relationship with Him. When we know Jesus there is a promise that there is no condemnation and no punishment for those found in Him.

When we see the wonder of God, the mystery of His love lavished on us, we cannot resist but want to be with Jesus. In this enchanted relationship we find ourselves consumed by Him and His things. How can we resist but be in this wonder - embraced in an eternal dance with the author and giver of life present and forever. The true indulgence is Jesus. He is the source of our motive to serve, to love, and to give - to move in a community and see what the father is doing - and responding in love not obligation or fear of condemnation.

Shalom