Genesis 27 and Judges 14-15 speak to me about unity: within the family, within the marriage, and within the Kingdom of God. There is contention between Jacob and Esau, and the parents are a part of it, too. Samson's wife works actively against him, thwarting some of his efforts. These verses show the dangers of internal conflict, which can be understood today for ourselves and our families and the body of believers. Unity will strengthen us and give us greater potential to point each towards the Lord and a life of righteousness. In Matthew 23, Jesus comments on how the Pharisees are also creating an internal conflicts among the Jews, putting yokes on them that they themselves are not carrying. "You give a tenth of your spices... but you have neglected the more important matters of the law- justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former" (v. 23). So not that physical acts of worship and obedience are not important, but that they should be tied up intimately with what is going on in our hearts and poring out of our lives: a love for the Lord and His people and a desire to see his Kingdom come to Earth.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. (Matthew 23:25-26 ESV)
This passage spoke to me as I am often concerned more with my outward, visible holiness while I am less focused on my inward/personal holiness. Both are important to God, and this passage favors the side of inward holiness being more important. Things like the way I spend my 'personal time', how I steward my money, and how I treat my parents all need to be taken captive by the gospel, even if no one else ever sees that.
Genesis 27 and Judges 14-15 speak to me about unity: within the family, within the marriage, and within the Kingdom of God. There is contention between Jacob and Esau, and the parents are a part of it, too. Samson's wife works actively against him, thwarting some of his efforts. These verses show the dangers of internal conflict, which can be understood today for ourselves and our families and the body of believers. Unity will strengthen us and give us greater potential to point each towards the Lord and a life of righteousness.
ReplyDeleteIn Matthew 23, Jesus comments on how the Pharisees are also creating an internal conflicts among the Jews, putting yokes on them that they themselves are not carrying. "You give a tenth of your spices... but you have neglected the more important matters of the law- justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former" (v. 23). So not that physical acts of worship and obedience are not important, but that they should be tied up intimately with what is going on in our hearts and poring out of our lives: a love for the Lord and His people and a desire to see his Kingdom come to Earth.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.
ReplyDelete(Matthew 23:25-26 ESV)
This passage spoke to me as I am often concerned more with my outward, visible holiness while I am less focused on my inward/personal holiness. Both are important to God, and this passage favors the side of inward holiness being more important. Things like the way I spend my 'personal time', how I steward my money, and how I treat my parents all need to be taken captive by the gospel, even if no one else ever sees that.