Tag Archives: God’s word

January 26
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“Jesus replied, ‘You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.'” (Matthew 22:29, NIV)

Ouch!

What a stinging rebuke it was to the people to whom Jesus spoke these words: People whose business it was to know both the Scriptures and the power of God.

As followers of Jesus, we are also expected to know both the word of God, and the power of God.  Our Lord expects it of us.  The watching world expects it of us; and we ought to expect it of ourselves.

The former we acquire through diligent study; and the latter we acquire through faithful obedience. This is our safeguard against error.  – Luther

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December 30
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“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly. . .”  (Psalm 1:1a, KJV)

There is a lot of bad advice out there.  Some of it is “conventional wisdom.”  Some of it is based on superstition.  Some of it is based on half-truths.  All of it is beneath the disciple of Jesus.

The children of God have a higher, truer, more enduring counsel: The word of God.

Obtaining the counsel (advice) that blesses us, and those around us, is not hard to obtain; but it challenges our resolve to spend time in the presence of God’s Holy Word.

Like an attentive father to his child, the Lord God will guide our steps toward everlasting life, peace, and joy; the things that ungodly counsel promises, but never delivers.  – Luther

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November 15
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“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”  (James 2:12-13, NIV)
The disciple of Jesus should endeavor to be merciful in all of his or her judgments because the measure by which we judge others shall be used to judge us; and the mercy we extend to others shall be returned to us.
This does not mean that we should ever excuse evil, or turn a blind eye to wrong-doers.  Yet, even the harshest judgments — rightfully made — can be tempered with mercy if sympathy is shown, and if the doorway to reconciliation is left open.
The disciple of Jesus speaks and acts as one whose words and deeds shall be called to account in both this world, and in the world to come.  – Luther

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