Easter people, living redemptively

Some things only God can do. Only He can create a universe out of nothing except himself. Only He can lay eternal plans. Only He can execute perfect justice. Only He can save and forgive a sinner. Only He can raise the dead. Only He can instantly restore withered limbs and open blind eyes. Only He can do the impossible. Sometimes the things only God can do become our excuse to do nothing. Often, very often, God chooses to work through you and me, through our capabilities, our limitations, our frailties, to accomplish His glorious will. Remember Boaz, the kinsman redeemer, in the Old Testament book of Ruth. Yes, he illustrates the ultimate redeemer Jesus Christ, who alone can redeem our souls. But Boaz also illustrates God calling us to live redemptively here and now. Redemption is not just about going to heaven but also about our responsibility to engage in the symphony God has orchestrated around us and relinquish our insistence to play our own tune. Redemption is not needed where nothing is broken, where nothing needs restoring, where there are no needs. But that is not the reality of our world, not even cozy Don Pedro. Boaz had to decide, and so do you and I, whether or not he would live redemptively in the context God had placed him in. What does it look like to live redemptively? You use your blessings to bless, you grant mercy because you received mercy, you care because you are cared for, you love because you are deeply loved, you give because you have received (Ephesians 1:3; Matthew 18:33; Luke 3:11; Matthew 11:28; Galatians 2:20; Matthew 10:8; Acts 20:35). What God has poured in, filled up, restored, and healed, you and I pour out and employ where and when we can. It is the week after Easter, the celebration is over, everyday life has returned. That’s where the challenge is, that’s where we are supposed to live like Easter people. There was another besides Boaz whom God gave an opportunity to act redemptively. He thought that gave him an opportunity to increase his wealth, but when it became clear that redemption is about people he checked out (Ruth 4) with some kind of lame excuse. I pray that will not be you and me. Finally, how serious is God about us living like Easter people? What difference does letting redemption play out in my everyday life make? For the answer would you take the next five minutes and read Matthew 25:14-46. To God be all glory, love you, Pastor Hans