“Commensurate Reward!”

“Commensurate Reward!”(Rom.2:1-11).
From the maxim of equity is the phrase,“He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.” Captitalising on this maxim sinks the world into the miry deeps of irredeemable moral decay.
Does going to equity with clean hands contradict the doctrine of grace that comes through faith in Christ? The doctrine of grace insinuates that within the crowd that accuses the sinner, there is none without sin who can cast the first stone on the accused. So to say, none of the accusers have any moral authority. If that is so, why would we not experience the ever increasing evil everywhere!
Grace is not a license for us to do as we please because nobody has the moral backing to condemn the vices of others. Grace offers a wide space and extended time for repentance. When repentance is deep contrition, grace takes the upper hand and gives the penitent the authority to rebuke, correct, chastise and exhort. But we do not become judges! Rather we lift up the fallen with kid gloves, knowing that we too are just recovering from there and can still slide back.
We correct without passing judgment; especially when we are not vindicated from doing the sames things for which we condemn others.
We should not show contempt for the riches of God’s kindness, tolerance and patience. His kindness should lead us to repentance.
The maxim of going to equity with clean hands is that “first take the plank out of your own eyes, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye”(Mt.7:1-6). Do not pass judgment on others, “yet do the same things.”
There is a Great Judge who will judge us with the measure we judge others(Mt.6:2).
“God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil…but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good…For God does not show favoritism.”
Therefore my friend, let us continue to be one another’s keeper by correcting, rebuking, chastising and calling each other to repentance so that God’s favor will favor us all favorably!
Sunday prayer: Holy Spirit help us to hold each other’s hands so that we shall all be rewarded favorably. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.