Asides

June 30
Leave a comment
Uncategorized Aside

“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” (Proverbs 16:25, NLT)

“It seemed like a good idea at the time.” 

How many times have we heard (or even spoken) those words?  

Maybe we didn’t know any better. Or, maybe we knew the possible consequences of the short-cut we had chosen, but proceeded anyway thinking that no one would notice — or care.

Proverbs tells us that some decisions — even apparent “sure-fire” decisions — lead to death.  Death comes to childhood dreams because of adolescent indiscretions.  Death overtakes the prospects of a bright career because of poor choices during the young worker’s “salad days.” One dies spiritually when he or she trades a season of prosperity for an eternity of poverty.

There, however, is wisdom on this path: Obedience to God’s word leads to life.  – Luther

Tagged , , ,
June 28
Leave a comment
Uncategorized Aside

“I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, ‘The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.’ So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer. On the twelfth day of the first month we set out from the Ahava Canal to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies and bandits along the way.”  (Ezra 8:22-23; 31, NIV)

As disciples of Jesus and children of the Most High God, do we “walk the talk”?

Today’s scripture text is a vivid reminder that the life of faith is a life of risk. 

By risk, I do not mean the kind of behavior where we put God to the test, as the devil tempted Jesus to test God during our Lord’s 40 days in the wilderness.  (Please click here for the biblical text.)  The disciple’s profession of faith in God is tested for its authenticity in a multitude of practical ways.  We should never test God; and we should never shirk opportunities for a front-row seat to see God’s acts measure-up to God’s promises.

Had the king offered Ezra an armed escort before Ezra had testified to his God’s faithfulness, it would have been reasonable for him to accept the king’s escort as Providence.  Yet, if we testify to God’s provision when we’re flush with cash or the picture of health; will we also stand-by our testimony when we have “more month than money,” or when our bodies are afflicted?  – Luther

Tagged , , , ,
June 27
Leave a comment
Uncategorized Aside

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8, NIV)

God’s love for all of us is unconditional — particularly those who have no use for God.

The noted German pastor, Martin Niemoller (1982-1984) said: “It took me a long time to learn that God is not the enemy of my enemies. He is not even the enemy of His enemies.” The enemies of Niemoller’s reference were the Nazis. While he had good reason to hate Hitler and his ilk, Niemoller knew that for Christ’s sake, he had no excuse.

We must take to heart that if God chooses reconciliation with His enemies, we, too, must choose reconciliation with both our enemies and the enemies of God. 

Paul’s letter to the Roman Christians is a pointed reminder of God’s love for all persons; and our obligation to follow our heavenly Father’s example.  – Luther

Tagged , , , ,
← Older posts
Newer posts →