Have Mercy

We want it easy
We don’t want blisters
From caring our cross
But you hung on a cross
Bruised and beaten
Beyond recognition
Every cut, every sting
To cover my sins
Yet we want to remain
In comfort
We have mocked your pain

Have mercy for
We have sinned
You gave it all
Yet we hold back
Forgive us Jesus
Forgive us
For not taking up our cross
With all the splinters
And the scorn from the world

We judge those around us
Seeing the sin they are so eager
for all the world to see
But we are no different
We in vain, try to hide them from God
We hide our sins from each other
Whether fear of judgment or pride
or fear of the shame we’d feel

Have mercy for
We have sinned
You gave it all
yet we hold back
Forgive us Jesus
Forgive us
For not taking up our cross
With all the splinters
And the scorn from the world

Have mercy on us
Forgive us
Jesus
For judging your bride
For judging the world
Both for whom you died
We your bride, repent
Please show us, Lord
How you see them
Teach us, Christ
to love as you love
Even unto death
We want to be
your hands and feet

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Originally written December 2011. Some editing was done by a friend.
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I wrote this in response to reading a portion of No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green by Melody Green. The excerpt was located at the end of Chapter 11. These words were directed to the “…oldest charismatic fellowship [church] in the city [he was in at the time].”  

 “Christians don't like to talk about hypocrisy any more than turkeys like to talk about Thanksgiving!” This night he was driving the point home, and his preaching was even a bit abrasive. He’d come with a burden to shake the congregation into a confrontation with themselves and with God, and I knew he was about to pull out all the stops.
     “You don't like it, do you?” he said. “You came to hear a concert, and you're getting cornered. The Christian walk is a bunch of squirming flesh getting nailed down to a cross. 'Hey man, I want a padded cross. You know, a Posture-Pedic Cross with nice springs in it. Something comfortable.' The gospel is a no compromise, absolute sell out for Jesus, 100% walk!"
     “I hate to say this to you folks. I really love you, but…you brood of vipers and snakes! Who call yourselves Christians and halfheartedly serve Him!”

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And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. "For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself ? "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. ~Luke 9:23-26