Here is a kick ass talk from Danny boy. One of the best! The last parragraph sums it up.
in memory of a cool dub wherever he maybe
January 26, 1998 | Notes from Lecture: Appreciating the UndeservedKindness of God- page 1 of 2 | Daniel Sydlik |
We are dedicated to Jehovah. Let us reflect on our blessings. There is no God like Jehovah God, and we are grateful to be his fellow workers. It is a gift to be loved by God undeservingly. From Him we learn lessons in life.
First, we learn the lesson of love, the greatest force for good. To be loved by God is the greatest happiness in life. We recall from our songbook, Song #35, Love
’ s Excelling Way . "God is love, and therefore bids us walk in love ’ s excelling way, letting love of God and neighbor prompt all things we do and say." John 3:16, Jehovah gave his only son. He opened the way for everlasting life. This is undeserved. No one appreciated life more than Jesus, yet he gave his life that we might live. Giving is God ’ s way, the Christian way. 1 John 2:10 shows us the art of giving, "He that loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in his case." We are under obligation to surrender our soul for our brothers. Give of ourselves and be self-sacrificing. When we do, we begin to know what the love of God means. It is God ’ s way and should be our way too.
Paul was self-sufficient and had strength in God
’ s power. Philippians 4:13, "For all things I have the strength by virtue of him who imparts power to me." How did Paul learn this lesson? He learned by recognizing who he was, and by the undeserved kindness he was shown. 1 Corinthians 15:9-11, "For I am the least of the apostles, and I am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the congregation of God. But
by God's undeserved kindness I am what I am. And his undeserved kindness that was toward me did not prove to be in vain, but I labored in excess of them all, yet not I but the undeserved kindness of God that is with me. However, whether it is I or they, so we are preaching and so you have believed." To show appreciation to Jehovah, Paul labored, knowing he owed it all to God ’ s excelling love.
We, too, are brought face-to-face with the truth that we are what we are by undeserved kindness. Can we see God
’ s work alive in our lives? Can we say, "I am what I am because of God ’ s spirit at work in me?" People today want recognition, and to feel personally accomplished. Who gives credit to God? A much-needed lesson is to be learned here. We are what we are and have accomplished
only because of the undeserved kindness of God. All must confess glory to Jehovah. We are not self-achievers. This should make us humble and meek. We are all in the same boat. We are here because of undeserved kindness. God loves us as we are, and that is beautiful.
Many are tired, depressed and feel worthless. It is as if we feel God was standing over us with a whip and demanding every last ounce of strength from us. Is He really so demanding? We come to Jehovah in faith through Christ and are assured Jehovah is satisfied with our sacrifice. This should make us happy and relieved of stresses. People are depressed because of lack of faith in Jesus
’ sacrifice. When we are loved and we know it, we are happy. 1 Corinthians 1:24, "Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." We are fellow workers. All are recipients of undeserved kindness. We must be given room to grow, to think on our own, to make mistakes and still be ourselves. We tolerate our brothers' weaknesses, but not willful wickedness. Are we willing to let others live that way? This is undeserved kindness at work. Listen to Jesus, "Come to me, I will refresh."
We learn an ancient lesson from the days of the kings of Israel. It was a harsh time. At 2 Samuel 4:4, we see Saul and his son, Jonathan, died. The usual course for kings was to exterminate previous dynasties. We see a scene of panic. Running to flee, his nurse drops him, and with that, Jonathan
’ s young son, Mephibosheth is crippled in both feet. Fifteen years later we see that David was prospering. He had won the people ’ s hearts and wanted to show love to the house of Saul, and his friend Jonathan. He did not ask, "Who is deserving?" or, who would make David look good, but
"Is there anyone?" 2 Samuel 9:3,4, "The king went on to say: "Is there nobody of the house of Saul anymore, that I may exercise toward him the loving-kindness of God?" At this Ziba said to the king: "There is yet a son of Jonathan, lame in the feet." Then the king said to him: "Where is he?" So Ziba said to the king: "Look! He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel at Lodebar."
What was Lodebar? It was a wasteland, a slum, a ghetto. Ziba asked, in effect, "You don
’ t really want
such a man, do you?"
What was David ’ s response? "Immediately King David sent and took him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel at Lodebar." David reassured Mephibosheth, "Do not be afraid, for without fail I shall exercise loving-kindness toward you for the sake of Jon'a·than your father; and I must return to you all the field of Saul your grandfather, and you yourself will eat bread at my table constantly." What does this teach us? Can we be kind, even to the undeserving?
Mephibosheth couldn
’ t understand such kindness. Neither can we understand Jehovah ’ s undeserved kindness to us. David showed such kindness to
one man. Jehovah has done this for
all of mankind. This is an inspired story. Here is a man of no consequence, a cripple, without personal appeal, and David stoops to help. Can we be loving and show such undeserved kindness to others? Is love at work in us? Picture this unconditional love. It is dinnertime in the King ’ s house. One by one, the beautiful, the handsome children of David enter. The powerful, strong military men are also seated at the table. At last, we hear the clump-clump of crutches, and Mephibosheth comes dragging himself in. He hides his crippled feet under the tablecloth. Does he understand the warm glow of undeserved kindness? You know he does.
Before the accident, as a child, he enjoyed being with his father, in good health. Adam and Eve too enjoyed perfect health with their Father before disaster struck. They fell, and were crippled with sin, both them and their offspring. We were all destitute, in Lodebar. David sought out anyone in Saul
’ s house. In like manner, Jehovah searches to show loving kindness to anyone. Mephibosheth didn ’ t seek the King ’ s favor. Nor did we, but humbly accepted the ransom when given. The King gave Mephibosheth honor in his house. Jehovah rescued us, too, to a place of spiritual nourishment to himself and his son, in a loving organization. He has provided nourishment and blessings. The anointed sons limp, but receive undeserved kindness in their imperfect state. Romans 5:20,21, "Now the Law came in beside in order that trespassing might abound.
But where sin abounded, undeserved kindness abounded still more. To what end? That, just as sin ruled as king with death, likewise also
undeserved kindness might rule as king through righteousness with everlasting life in view through Jesus Christ our Lord." When Mephibosheth was at the table, he was treated as a son, as Solomon. When we feast at Jehovah ’ s table, we are accepted as sons and daughters through Jesus.
Can you see with eyes of faith the anointed 144,000 with Jesus in heaven? No emphasis is on rank or title. No one asks, "Who were you on earth? Were you an apostle? A District Overseer? A Circuit Overseer? A Pioneer?" We are all cripples. Singing God
’ s praises, the tablecloth of Jehovah ’ s undeserved kindness covers over our handicaps and imperfection. We cry out, "Salvation we owe to God!" May we imitate our God by showing undeserved kindness every day. To the extent we show love, may the God of love bless each of you.
