What happened to the Lion?

Last evening I heard a message given on Grace. The speaker defined it as "something done with no expectation of getting anything in return." I guess I feel that is part of it, but the way I always viewed it was "receipt of something completely undeserved." Perhaps the combination of both is really what sums it up the best.

It was a good message and caused me to think a bit. It was geared to a more feminine personality (which makes sense, as it was given by a woman to a predominantly female audience), focusing on love, grace, patience, kindness... Not that these are to be understated or that they aren't wonderful and necessary things, but to focus exclusively on this portion of God really causes one to miss the big picture.

It is definitely true, God is love, slow to anger, full of mercy... but He is a Warrior as well! (check Exodus 15:3) In Revelation it describes him as leading His heavenly army, the Lord of Hosts (which is a military term, by the way), wearing a cloak dipped in the blood of his foes! How about the Lion and the Lamb. Why do we completely ignore the Lion for the sake of the Lamb? God is powerful, just, and mighty. Combat, strength, and aggression (yes, He is aggressive) are in His nature and we would do very well to remember as much!

God is the fullness of both masculinity and femininity. He is compassionate, desiring a deep and personal relationship with each of us, but still strong and mighty. We need to remember that the birth of Jesus was not only the physical embodiment of God's love and grace which brings our forgiveness, but also a bold attack into the devil's stronghold by an elite warrior sent from a brilliant and aggressive general! How much does this change the way we pray? The way we think about God?

We can't function with only one part of God. Love and kindess, grace and compassion are often lacking in this world, possibly because the people that manifest them are so routinely run over by the calloused masses who cannot comprehend what love truly is. Similarly, those who only embrace aggression, conflict and battle become so consumed with them their lives fill with hatred and violence. A balance must be found, and we can only find it by remembering that God is both strong and kind, full of grace and power. Mighty to save.

So love your enemies, but remember they're still your enemies.