Heyz... here's the belated posts yahz... so sorrie for the late updating


January 18, 2006

Get The Point!
Read:Galatians 2:11-21
A man is not justified by the works of the law. —Galatians 2:16

Bible In One Year: Genesis 43-45; Matthew 12:24-50

One thing you have to say about the apostle Paul—he was not a man to mince words. It didn't matter who it was—a judge, a ruler, or his fellow apostle Peter—Paul said what had to be said. In Galatians 2:16, he made the same point three times: No one is justified by the works of the law.
The law was a critical issue in the early church because many of the converts were Jews. Although they believed in Jesus, some of them just would not let go of their legalistic ways. I imagine hearing them say, "A person can't be saved unless he is circumcised and refuses to eat meat offered to idols. And no Jewish believer should ever eat with Gentiles." But Paul told them in no uncertain terms that they were wrong. Being made right with God comes by faith, not by any requirements a church or individual adds.
As the author of confusion, Satan finds all kinds of ways to corrupt the gospel by giving us the impression that faith is not enough. He plays into our desire to be in control and to do something to save ourselves—adding anything from tithing to perfect church attendance to clothing styles to entertainment choices. Each of these is important to the believer, but none is essential to salvation.
The point is: Salvation is by faith. —Dave Egner
Lord, I know that salvation is by faith becauseof Your grace. Help me not to require anything elsefrom myself or others, so that I cannot boastin my goodness—but only in Yours. Amen.
Justification: Our guilt gone; Christ's goodness given.

January 17, 2006

Loving The Unlovable
Read:Luke 19:1-10

The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. —Luke 19:10

Bible In One Year: Genesis 41-42; Matthew 12:1-23

Zacchaeus was easy to dislike. As a tax collector for an oppressive occupying government, he made himself rich by overcharging his countrymen. Yet, to the consternation of the crowd, Jesus honored him by going to his house and eating with him.
A judge with a reputation for toughness tells how he learned to relate to unlovable people. In a Sunday morning homily his clergyman urged the congregation to try to look at people through the eyes of Jesus.
A few days later the judge was about to give a stiff sentence to an arrogant young man who kept getting in trouble. But then he remembered what the minister had suggested. The judge said, "I looked this young man in the eye and told him I thought he was a bright and talented human being. And then I said to him, 'Let's talk together about how we can get you living in more creative and constructive ways.' We had a surprisingly good conversation."
Jesus saw Zacchaeus as a sinner with an empty hole that only He could fill, and through His kindness Zacchaeus was transformed. The judge could not report any such change, but who knows the long-term outcome? He set a good example for all of us, because he saw the man through the eyes of Jesus. —Herb Vander Lugt
We need to see through Jesus' eyesOur neighbors who are lost;For then we will reach out to them,Regardless of the cost. —Sper
True compassion will put love into action.


January 16, 2006

Doing Justice
Read:Exodus 23:1-9
You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. —Exodus 23:2

Bible In One Year: Genesis 39-40; Matthew 11

In the decades since the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., the US national holiday established to commemorate his birth has also become a day to remember the cause in which he gave his life.
During the '50s and '60s, Dr. King led a nonviolent struggle against racial discrimination and issued a plea for the civil rights of African-Americans. His goal was justice and equality based on human dignity, not skin color.
From Old Testament days until now, God has commanded His people to exercise justice in their dealings with others. "You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice" (Exodus 23:2).
"He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8).
Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for doing their religious duties while neglecting "justice and the love of God" (Luke 11:42).
To treat people with fairness and integrity is part of our responsibility as Christians. Standing publicly for what is right is required of us as well.
May we honor God by living out truth in action in our world today. —David McCasland
Justice is the clarion call for Christians—We cannot step aside from what God said;He has told us how to treat our neighbor,And we must follow in the path He's led. —Hess
God's standard of justice leaves no room for prejudice.




David’s thoughts on Doing Justice

Very true indeed, but it is so hard to put the idea into action. Look at our normal lives, do we treat everyone equally, are there people whom we treat unfairly? What’s the connection between justice and forgiveness?
If someone does wrong, is it necessary to bring him to justice and exercise punishment or can we just forgive and forget. Personally, my feeling is that if it is able to help the person, then we should go ahead and give him/her the lesson in which he/she can learn.
Looking at another example, it is by the rule that man should be send to the lake of fire for eternity because of the sins we have committed. But the fact that Jesus Christ died and took our sins, is it justified for Him to do so? Is it even fair to Him?
I’ll let you all think about this, do feel free to post your ideas and questions

--kan--