Jude 22 says "Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear - hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh."
What does this mean? It sounds like a contradiction...it is not. It sounds like we should separate ourselves from those who don't walk the path or have fallen off...we shouldn't. So what does this mean? How can we be merciful to those who doubt? Isn't doubt a form of corruption? How can we snatch others from the fire if we aren't involved with those who might be headed that way? How do you show mercy if you are only around those "perfect", "holy" individuals? Hate the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. Hate it! Homosexuality is a sin. Adultery is a sin. Sex before marriage, lust, gluttony, these are all sins. Greed, idoltary! These all corrupt the flesh. Gossip...yep. Where do you fall?
Ephesians 6:12 states "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This reminds of the saying "hate the sin and not the sinner".
Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While were were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Please add comments for discussion...
TO BE CONTINUED...
What are you working toward?
Reading this morning I came across Luke 18:29-30:
"I tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life."
The thought came to me "What am I working towards?" This thought came to me because my focus has been on me. I want to build my savings so I can do certain things, I want to work my schedule so I have time to exercise and practice my sport, I want a beautiful wife by me so I can act on my lusts. I have put aside those things that mean something to the kingdom because I will need to give up a pursuit of mine and make time for them. Right now I am focused on me and my needs. I think about moving, will I be happier? Maybe I just need to go on a big trip and then I will be happier? These are all my thoughts. None for the kingdom and what I can do for it. You ever experience this? You ever feel or felt to be in the same boat as I am? What did you do? Did you recognize it and get out? Have you stayed in it and wondered why the pursuit of your happiness seems endless? Or shallow? What are you working toward? Eternity? Or.....?
"I tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life."
The thought came to me "What am I working towards?" This thought came to me because my focus has been on me. I want to build my savings so I can do certain things, I want to work my schedule so I have time to exercise and practice my sport, I want a beautiful wife by me so I can act on my lusts. I have put aside those things that mean something to the kingdom because I will need to give up a pursuit of mine and make time for them. Right now I am focused on me and my needs. I think about moving, will I be happier? Maybe I just need to go on a big trip and then I will be happier? These are all my thoughts. None for the kingdom and what I can do for it. You ever experience this? You ever feel or felt to be in the same boat as I am? What did you do? Did you recognize it and get out? Have you stayed in it and wondered why the pursuit of your happiness seems endless? Or shallow? What are you working toward? Eternity? Or.....?
Beautiful Feet!
This scripture has been stuck in my mind:
Romans 10:15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
This scripture is quoted from Isaiah 52:7 which says:
Romans 10:15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
This scripture is quoted from Isaiah 52:7 which says:
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
After reading these two scriptures in my study bible I looked to see if there might be any commentary on it. Sure enough there is and here is what it said:
"God says that the feet of those who bring good news are 'beautiful'. It is a wonderful privilege to be able to share God's Good News with others, his news of redemption, salvation, and peace. To whom do you need to give the Good news?"
The word privilege stood out....
The question "To whom do you need to give the good news?", also stood out...
God's Discipline
Job 5:17
“Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty."
Proverbs 3:11,12
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
According to this scripture we understand God disciplines us, but what does that look like? Is any hardship in life we face discipline? Is any diagnosis of an illness discipline? Is any type of friction in our life considered as discipline?
Hebrews 12:7 states "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?"
So does this mean any hardship?
I don't think it could possibly mean any hardship because Jesus seemed to have faced, what we would consider, many hardships in his life. I mean he did not have the best accommodations, he felt hunger, thirst, and being tired. Not to mention he was betrayed, beaten, and crucified upon a cross. This wasn't discipline, because Jesus was perfect, but rather God's will... So how do we know when we are being disciplined and when what we are going through is not a result of something we did, but rather God's will?
I appreciate your insightful feedback.... Thank you.
Proverbs 3:11,12
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
According to this scripture we understand God disciplines us, but what does that look like? Is any hardship in life we face discipline? Is any diagnosis of an illness discipline? Is any type of friction in our life considered as discipline?
Hebrews 12:7 states "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?"
So does this mean any hardship?
I don't think it could possibly mean any hardship because Jesus seemed to have faced, what we would consider, many hardships in his life. I mean he did not have the best accommodations, he felt hunger, thirst, and being tired. Not to mention he was betrayed, beaten, and crucified upon a cross. This wasn't discipline, because Jesus was perfect, but rather God's will... So how do we know when we are being disciplined and when what we are going through is not a result of something we did, but rather God's will?
I appreciate your insightful feedback.... Thank you.
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