03-12-12 "Moral Excellence (A)" Matthew 7:1-12

 

The passage I read was Matthew 7:1-12

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A1-12&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

¹² So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

As I reflect:

I was a bit shocked to find this passage for a one day study.  This passage is huge to do just one meditation on.  I find that one could easily take one to two sentences at a time and make a complete days reflection just on that.  There is a great deal of material covered in this passage. 

Firstly, it deals with judgment.  I’ve said it before and I will say it again, this is one of the most misquoted and misunderstood passages in the Bible.  God is not here saying that we are not to judge.  That is taking this directly out of context.  He is saying don’t pass hypocritical judgment.   Many people when a Christian says something of their sin will say that we are passing judgment.  This is not the case.  We are commanded by God to beware of evildoers, false prophets, and to avoid those who practice all kinds of evil.  How are we to be aware of and avoid them if we don’t make a judgment of them at some point?  We must accept and understand that we are not to judge in an unrighteous manner or in a hateful way, but to do so righteously and lovingly is a commandment to us.  In John 7:24 we are told, “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”  This states that there is a correct way to judge.   In Matthew we are given one of the correct ways to do so.  This defines how we are to judge a believer… even unto the point of no longer considering them a believer if they refuse or rebuke the judgment. 

Matthew 18:15-17

    ¹⁵ “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.¹⁶ But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ ¹⁷ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

We are to correct, rebuke, and encourage as we preach the Word in and out of Season (2 Timothy 4:2) in hopes of bringing others to repentance (James 5:20).  It is in fact our duty to do so.  So when Christ says do not judge or you too will be judged, know that I will in fact be judged and it will be done to me in a righteous and loving manner just as I judge others in a righteous and loving manner.  Too many people don’t go on to read the rest of what is said.  We will be judged in the same measure (manner) as we judge others.  It doesn’t mean don’t judge.  It means do it right and for the right reasons.  By all means judge me in this way.  If you see me in sin, help me.  Don’t keep your mouth shut as to not be caught judging someone.  Tell me so that I may be corrected.  I will also tell you. 

Ok, so wow.  Here we are almost a page of writing later and I have only barely touched on the surface of one of several topics discussed in this passage.  Told you it was a lot to cover.  Lol. I’ll try to be more brief in the remaining verses.

Verse 6 is a truth that I have found in life long before I knew it was from God.  Have you ever tried to help someone that didn’t want or realize that they needed help?  It’s like getting your hand bitten while trying to feed an emaciated dog.  Kinda bitter sweet in that you gave the truth that was needed to be given, but hurtful that you were so attacked for having done so.  It’s rough, but with discernment, prayer, consistency in your witness, you may win them over still.  But be careful you don’t walk into a den of wolves with steak attached to your jacket.  Witness with wisdom and discernment.  When someone has repeatedly turned from the Gospel truth and has communicated repeatedly their hate for you and for your God, continue to pray for them and be a shining light, but push them not further from that light by forcing knowledge to those who chose ignorance.  Pray for their release from the scales satan has grown over their eyes.  But do not quarrel with them or attempt to force God down their throat.  You will get bitten.

Verses 7-11 deal with the giving nature of God.  These too have many times been taken out of context and with only literal interpretation have lead to many a person’s misunderstanding and frustration.  Jesus isn’t saying if you ask for a Lamborghini it will be given to you and if you seek for a million dollars you will find it.  He is talking about asking, seeking, knocking within the will and motivation of doing the Lord’s will here on Earth.  You see this advice is not for the lost, but for the found.  And the found, those who follow Christ, ask, “how can I serve you” and He answers.  We seek, “How may I please you”, and we find those in need.  The comparison to a child asking a father for bread is a perfect comparison.  Even if my child came to me and asked me for a million dollars and even if I had a million dollars to give him, I wouldn’t.  He is young and foolish and I know that the money would be squandered and lead to his destruction for a love of money.  And so instead when he ask for money, I lead him to chores that he may earn and understand what it is to earn an income.  I don’t do this out of cruelty, but love.  I know what is best for my child.  If however he comes to me and ask, “Father, what may I do to help you today?”, then my response will offer us closeness in bonding and I will guide him in helping me complete whatever project I could use the help on.  This approach will much greater build him up into the man we both want him to be.  So it is with our Heavenly Father.  We must first seek His kingdom and all else will follow. 

Verse 12 sums it up nicely, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

My response to the Lord:

It’s a lot to take in Lord, but that is my prayer to you.  I pray that you would write your word on my heart and let me not forget a single mark.  But by your Holy Spirit working mightily, teach me to apply these things to every moment of my existence.  When judgment comes up in me in unrighteous anger, help me to release it to you.  When however I am called to judge and to share in love a truth with someone faltering, then give me courage and discernment to approach wisely the topic and send your Spirit ahead of me to prepare their heart.  When I pray and as I live Lord, may I always seek your will ahead of my own.  Nay, I pray instead Father that my will be your own.  Change me so that I see through your eyes and walk where you want me to and do as you wish and speak how you spoke as you through your Son walked this earth.  May I love boldly by your great work in me.  Help me my Lord to remember this “golden rule” of doing unto others as I would have them do unto me.  Give me grace to serve your infinitely better than I have.  In Jesus’ name.

03-12-12 "Moral Excellence (A)" Philippians 4:1-9

This is the youngest of my 4 children.  Just a few moments after birth.  Her name is Faith.  She turns 1 in 14 days.  I remember how it felt to hold her.  It's something I could never explain though.  

The passage I read was Philippians 4:1-9

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A1-9&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 

As I reflect:

Paul starts off with “therefore”.  This indicates a continuance of previous thought.  The end of the last chapter discussed our looking forward to our Savior’s return and entering into our eternal citizenship in Heaven.  Paul says therefore, stand firm in the Lord…  This is a wonderful encouragement.  He is coming back so stand firm.  

Paul goes on to plead with 2 women who had  some sort of large disagreement to make up.  He tells them to be of one mind.  This is no different for us in Christ.  We ought to be of one mind.  If I and my brother are both focused on Christ, His return, our citizenship as eternal brothers in Heaven, then our arguments become meaningless.    We can hold no grudge against each other in this light.  We ought to not only love each other but help others to do the same.   Remember your name is in the book of life…Along with your brothers and sisters in faith. 

Verse 4 is a command to rejoice always in the Lord.  Verse 5 says to be gentle and to let it be seen.  Paul reminds us also in this verse that “the Lord is near”.  What a great reason to rejoice.  This may seem a separate topic from the above arguing women, but in fact it is one fluent topic.  It is a discussion of our moral integrity and united focus on our returning Savior.  It is a uniting thought that ought to cause us all to rejoice and (continuing in verse 6) be anxious for nothing.  Think about that.  I mean we get the distinct privilege and honor to come before God and speak, knowing that He hears us, considers our requests, and responds.  This alone should be cause for no anxiety.  How wonderful to rely on the most trustworthy being in existence and know that you are His beloved child.  Rejoice and know that you can make your requests known to the Lord.  Make your request known with thanksgiving and be patient in your petition.  This is not a time to make demands or wishes, but a time to humbly be allowed into the presence of the Most High to lay your burdens down.   Be thankful for the opportunity and the many wonders He does in your life.  Do this and receive the peace of God which passes all understanding.    This peace is a study all of its own.  

Indescribable but completely obtainable by each and every believer who comes before the Lord.  It’s like trying to explain the first moment you ever held your child to a person who has never had children.  It is completely beyond their ability to understand if they haven’t experienced it for themselves.  This is like the peace that God offers.  For those who have experienced this place or often do as they seek the Lord, it cannot be explained to a non-believer.  It must be experienced firsthand. 

As Paul wraps up the message he lays out the mindset and the things that a Christian ought to meditate on.  Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy, we ought to meditate on these things.  This goes back to the beginning of the passage in that as believers focused on and meditating on these things, our disagreements really can’t get out of hand as the 2 women Paul spoke of.  Again, if our minds are where they should be and every thought captive for Christ, then it is incredibly difficult to find ourselves so unjustly angry at and separated from a fellow believer. 

Paul wraps up with an incredibly bold statement.  It’s not the first time he has said it either.  “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.”  Wow Paul!  That’s confidence in the example you are setting.  I gotta admit I don’t have that same confidence in my walk.  I know my imperfections far too well to tell you to do as I do.  Rather, I encourage you reader be you saved or know you nothing of my Father, when you see me do or say something and you are curious to know if it is right or fitting for a man of God to do or say so, then by all means get your Bible, grab a concordance,  pull up a library of commentaries, and pray to the All Knowing God that He would reveal to you truth and guide you in understanding these great mysteries that we daily interpret and abide in by the Spirit of our Most High.  And if you find me to be faltering in my steps, then I implore you to assist me in love.  

My response to the Lord:

Lord, who is higher than you?  Who can stand among the Heavens and hold the Earth at such a distant view and yet fill every atom of its existence?  Who can write the mysteries of our existence and guide our paths?  My Father, I am nothing without you.  I need even you power in me to simply control how I treat or look at other believers.  I cannot even, think; breathe without you giving me my next breath.  Everything in me that is good comes from you Father.  I feel so human; so inescapably mortal.  I consider whom I advise by the wisdom you have given and then look at my life and see the great failures and sins I have committed.  I have sinned in anger against brethren.  How many times oh Lord will I be able to fall at your feet and again confess my mortal need for your immortality to cleanse me?  How many times My King will you lay your hands on my head and forgive me?  Your mercy is new on me every day and though wrath is my just deserves, you give me grace; abundantly you give.   I find myself again making yet another petition known before you, knowing you already know my request.  My King, make me more like you.  Fill me with your Spirit.  In the mighty name of Jesus… Fill me Lord.

03-12-12 "Moral Excellence (A)" 1 Peter 2:4-12

 

The passage I read was 1 Peter 2:4-12

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+2%3A4-12&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

¹² Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

As I reflect:

My reflection on this passage is a fairly simple one.  It is based on a building.  When any building is built, there must be a foundation and if that foundation is not strong or is laid crooked, It will become as evident in that building as it is in the leaning tower of Pisa.  For us the Cornerstone is Christ and if we are in fact built upon that cornerstone, then it ought to be evident in the building itself that it’s cornerstone is Jesus, the designer is The Father, and that the supporting structure is the Holy Spirit.  What we do and do not do; how we live or don’t live; what we say and don’t say; even how we think are all based on the cornerstone and the work of God in our lives.  We ought to think, live, speak in such a way that it is evident to all others that we are a holy possession of God who has been pulled out of darkness and into his wonderful light.  Peter urges us as I also urge you to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.  Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 

My response to the Lord:

My Lord, I know that my foundation is solid.  Very precious to me is the rock upon which I have been built.  May I glorify you in every way.  Lord lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from that evil which wages war against me.  Build me up strong that I will not fall when life’s storms come.  Father, use me as is best for your will to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.  In the name of your Son Jesus I pray. 

03-12-12 "Moral Excellence (A)" 2 Peter 1:3-11

The passage I read was 2 Peter 1:3-11

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20peter%201:3-11&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As I reflect:

When I explained this to my family, we used marriage as the example.  I explained that when me and my wife married some things began to change right away and other things changed with time.  We immediately confirmed our marriage to one another and have not since ceased to show by action our love for one another.  We have grown to know each other’s weaknesses and strengths.  We know each other’s favorite colors, foods, activities.  We share a common love for each other, our kids, extended family, friends, and even strangers as we walk through this life hand in hand.  There is evidence of our marriage.  We don’t need to carry our marriage license around with us to prove that we are married.  The way we treat each other in action and word speaks more volume to prove our marriage to one another than any paper ever could.  I asked how many people would believe that we were married if we told them we were married but they never met our spouse.  What if they never heard me speak well of my wife, saw my love for her in my actions and instead saw me with other women on a regular basis living in a way that would be displeasing to any wife.  Obviously my actions would prove that I hadn’t a wife at all despite my words to the opposite.   This is part of the point I get out of this passage.

We Christians and Messianic Jews are a saved people by our faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.  We believe that He took our punishment and place on the cross and died for our sins.  But it is important to also remember that He rose from the grave to give us also resurrection power over our old selves.  Too often a person claims salvation because they have faith in what Jesus did, but then they live in such a way that directly contradicts the idea of them being saved from anything at all.  They disclose by action that they are very much the same person now as they were pre salvation.  There is no evidence of a relationship with God.  No conviction, growth, understanding, or love to prove that they are the bride of Christ.  Verse 5 – 7 are just some of the characteristics that by the power of Christ in one’s life ought to be displayed and also deeply rooted in the believer.  These are some of the evidence of our faith.  In verse 9 Peter defines a person without these qualities as nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.  In verse 10, he goes on to encourage us to therefore make every effort to confirm our calling and election.   He says doing these things will keep us from stumbling. 

For me in my relationship with my wife, I sometimes make mistakes.  When I make them, I am usually immediately aware that a mistake has been made because it is so obviously out of the normal communication and relationship I have come to cherish so greatly between us.  It is likewise with my God; my Groom, that I sometimes also make mistakes in that relationship.  Thankfully, He (like my wife) is forgiving and continues to love me despite my lack of worthiness for His love.  I daily have to remind myself in everything to make every effort to confirm my relationship with Christ by my words and deeds that my faith may be proven true as it affects my life and the lives of those around me.  Every morning I ask God for His renewed strength to help me through the day.  For it is surely an impossible task without Him. 

My response to the Lord:

Lord I pray you daily continue to add to my faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love.  I know there is still much room for more of these and it is painfully evident in my every mistake.  Father forgive me when I fall and by your power lift me back up and walk with me still.  Thank you for your great and precious promises; for allowing me to participate in your divine nature; for delivering me from corruption.  I trust you to continue your wonderful work in me Lord.  In Jesus’ name. 

02-27-12 "What it means to represent/reflect Christ" 1 Peter 2:9-16

The passage I read was 1 Peter 2:9-16

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+2%3A9-16&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

¹⁵ For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. ¹⁶ Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.

As I reflect:

So on day one I looked at relying on Christ as the first necessity of representing Christ.  The next day I looked at how we are changed by our reliance on Christ and we no longer value the things of the old mane but consider them lost.  Today I read about being set apart as a result of the change. 

Peter begins this passage by defining his audience.  He defines them as God defines us.  We are a royal priesthood, chosen people, holy nation, and God’s special possession.  We are no longer of the darkness of this world, for we are called into His wonderful light.  We have received mercy.  These are definitions that ought to be true of every representative of Christ.  If we at any time find that we are acting as those in the darkness, then we have deceived ourselves and His Spirit is not in us.  This is not to say that we are without sin.  1 John 1:8 says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us”.  So Peter isn’t saying we are unsaved if we sin.  He is however saying that we must walk in the light.  This is a contrast of those walking in the darkness.  Though we make mistakes, we are to be different and set apart by our beliefs, words, and actions.  

Peter continues to define this separation of darkness and light by urging us to abstain from sinful desires which wage war against our soul.  He isn’t in anyway condoning a person’s choice to stay in a sinful lifestyle after receiving salvation from that same lifestyle.  He is saying to abstain; to keep away from.  You see when we become born again, we first repent before God.  This means not only a confession of sins, but an earnest desire to turn away from them and never turn back.  Peter is saying the same thing when he says to abstain from sinful desires.   Turn away from them and don’t look back.  He knows the importance of abstaining from sin because he understands the spiritual warfare that occurs.  There is a constant battle for your attention between good and evil.  This unseen fight is waged among fallen angels and the servants of God who protect you day and night unseen.  Giving in to sin, is like walking across the enemy lines with your hands behind your back and saying, “take me”, all the while God’s army fights for you to stay in the light.  In times when you feel tempted beyond what you can bear, remember 1 Corinthians 10:13 and look for the way out that God has provided.  It is there, but you must seek it.  This is part of representing and following after Christ.  Wage war on sin in your life, because it has waged war on you. 

We are then told in similar fashion not only to abstain from sin but to do good.  We are to live such good lives that it will silence the ignorant talk of foolish and pagan people and many of them will be freed unto salvation simply by seeing what salvation has done through you.  We are told to do good deeds and I think far too often Christians see this as only the major things, like feeding the poor or donating time and energy to a ministry.  But Peter goes on to also define our representation of Christ as being a people who obey the law of man.  He says we are to submit ourselves (for the Lord’s sake) to every human authority.  This of course is referring to obedience to the law and the government so long as that obedience doesn’t cause disobedience to the Lord.  This means that when you are on your way to do that good deed at the soup kitchen, you shouldn’t be speeding.  It is against the law and it shows your lack of self control to others as you wrongly represent Christ.  It also means that when you are called to jury duty and would rather be making more money at your own job, you don’t lie or purposely attempt to get out of jury duty.  As a representative of Christ, you are to submit yourself also to jury duty as the government calls you into this service.   It means that when you could loose your house if you are honest on a form, that you are honest anyway.  It means that if you could gain more money or food stamps by lying on tax forms or assistance applications, you are honest and trust the Lord instead.  He is the one who told you to submit yourselves to every human authority.  It means when you get pulled over and held accountable for being disobedient to the law, you are respectful and apologetic for a wrong action and not in any way disrespectful to the officer who pulls you over.  I believe the overall point is that living Godly lives in a pagan society doesn’t mean that we become liars, or disrespectful or have any excuse to be lacking in self control, but rather that we can represent Christ also in the way we vote, drive, fill out forms, do our taxes, and respond to the many persons in authority over us. 

Yes, I do serve a Jewish Carpenter that is higher than any human authority here on earth.  But my Boss has told me to be obedient to the many bosses I have here on earth.  My obedience to them is thusly my obedience to Him. 

Peter wraps up this portion of the passage saying, “live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.”  This is as plain as plain can get.  If you are in Christ, you do not continue in sin and then justify it saying it’s ok because you are forgiven.  We are changed and set apart.  We are not of the darkness any longer.  One can tell who your master is by the things that you do.  If you are constantly breaking laws and living in such a way that you cannot be told apart from the rest of the world, then odds are that your master is the same master that has blinded the world to God.  Instead, live in such a way that people can tell that God is your master… Even when no one is looking. 

My response to the Lord:

Lord, as I look over the reflection time I spent in your word today, I am tempted to change many things written because I am also guilty before you.  There are moments when I too feel that the law of this land is greatly unjust and I am disrespectful in thought and in conversation with my wife about it.  Forgive me Father.  I know I am to submit to that authority and trust in your sovereignty.  I know that you are their judge just as you are my judge and that they need grace just as I need grace.  I am no better of my own, but because you have shown me grace I can see.  Forgive me for soo often forgetting.  Help me to love and have compassion for those I struggle against judgment of.  Lord thank you for always providing a way out when times have been difficult in the past and we have been told by others to just say this or that lie on a form to get more out of what is already a generous offer undeserved.  You have always helped us to be integral in our representation of you in this dark world. I pray you continue this work in us always that we not be found doing wrong by our accusers.  Lord I give you our accusers and pray you show them our good deeds because of you in our lives, and bring them unto repentance that they may glorify you.  Thank you for your mercy Father.  You be glorified by my response to this mercy flowing in my life.  Father you be glorified.  In the mighty name of Jesus.  Amen.