Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Mercy, Grace and Gibeonites
When asking many Christians to define "mercy" and "grace" you will very likely get a look that communicates the thought, "There's a difference? Aren't they the same?" A careful study of Scripture shows us that while they are closely related they are not synonyms. They may be opposite sides of the same coin but they are not interchangeable.
Joshua 9 gives us a beautiful picture of how God's mercy and grace work in concert with one another to bring Him glory. The Gibeonites, as descendants of Canaan, Noah's grandson, are condemned to destruction. As Joshua leads the people in conquest of Canaan the Gibeonites approach them with a desire for a treaty. The Gibeonites put on an elaborate ruse of old clothes, moldy food, and a story of a long journey. As the story is told and Joshua observes the physical evidence he makes a decision prior to consulting Jehovah. After just three days the deceit is uncovered, as it always is, and the people are incensed. A decision must be made. Is Joshua going to honor the treaty and spare the Gibeonites or will the cities be razed? Joshua abides by the treaty because he has taken an oath in the name of the LORD however, the Gibeonites are made the servants of the Israel. The Gibeonites, a doomed people, are given God's mercy and are spared.
Now enters God's grace. As Joshua pronounces punishment on them for their deceit he tells them that though they are going to be "hewers of wood and drawers of water" they are also going to be employed in the service of the Tabernacle. So, instead of being outcasts and slaves they find themselves serving God in the center of the camp and joining with the priests and Levites in the Tabernacle ministry. A people once doomed to God's judgment are given new life AND a place of ministry. Isn't that just like God to show mercy to sinful men and to give them the opportunity to serve Him? "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound..."
Joshua 9 gives us a beautiful picture of how God's mercy and grace work in concert with one another to bring Him glory. The Gibeonites, as descendants of Canaan, Noah's grandson, are condemned to destruction. As Joshua leads the people in conquest of Canaan the Gibeonites approach them with a desire for a treaty. The Gibeonites put on an elaborate ruse of old clothes, moldy food, and a story of a long journey. As the story is told and Joshua observes the physical evidence he makes a decision prior to consulting Jehovah. After just three days the deceit is uncovered, as it always is, and the people are incensed. A decision must be made. Is Joshua going to honor the treaty and spare the Gibeonites or will the cities be razed? Joshua abides by the treaty because he has taken an oath in the name of the LORD however, the Gibeonites are made the servants of the Israel. The Gibeonites, a doomed people, are given God's mercy and are spared.
Now enters God's grace. As Joshua pronounces punishment on them for their deceit he tells them that though they are going to be "hewers of wood and drawers of water" they are also going to be employed in the service of the Tabernacle. So, instead of being outcasts and slaves they find themselves serving God in the center of the camp and joining with the priests and Levites in the Tabernacle ministry. A people once doomed to God's judgment are given new life AND a place of ministry. Isn't that just like God to show mercy to sinful men and to give them the opportunity to serve Him? "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound..."
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Differences and Deference
Any time there is a gathering of people, for any length of time and for any purpose, differences are going to arise. To find out that people have different takes on various topics is no real surprise but to realize the degree to which those differences can become difficulties and ultimately divisions is often shocking.
As Paul begins to draw his letter to the believers at Rome to a close (Romans 14:1-15:13) he is directed by the Holy Spirit to tackle a subject that has become one of the most hotly debated and misunderstood in all of Christendom. If you want to have a long talk, and possibly a heated debated, bring up the subject of Christian liberty. Just exactly what is to be our position on this matter? When studied in context with the preceding paragraph (Romans 13:8-14) the subject is seen in a light far different than what many would practice today. As you approach the subject of liberty it must be done with the realization that Paul has just reminded believers that we are to love God (Deuteronomy 6:5) and love our neighbor (Leviticus 19:18). To try to understand Christian liberty without first taking into consideration the matter of loving God and loving other will certainly lead to erroneous and hurtful conclusions.
Paul's description of the "weak" and the "stronger" is an obvious statement that there are going to be differences that arise among God's children. How to handle those differences is what should set believers apart from the rest of society. The differences among spiritual brothers and sisters, just as in a physical family, is what makes the family unique, special and productive. The differences are not to cause division but should be greeted with deference.
When Paul uses the term "receive" he is commanding Christians to admit to friendship and familial unity those who may approach certain matters of spiritual practice differently than you. The burden to demonstrate deference is clearly placed upon the "stronger" in Paul's exhortation. If there is division instead of deference it is probably because there is not love; love for God and love for others.
It is not important that we are all alike; it is important that we are all like Christ.
As Paul begins to draw his letter to the believers at Rome to a close (Romans 14:1-15:13) he is directed by the Holy Spirit to tackle a subject that has become one of the most hotly debated and misunderstood in all of Christendom. If you want to have a long talk, and possibly a heated debated, bring up the subject of Christian liberty. Just exactly what is to be our position on this matter? When studied in context with the preceding paragraph (Romans 13:8-14) the subject is seen in a light far different than what many would practice today. As you approach the subject of liberty it must be done with the realization that Paul has just reminded believers that we are to love God (Deuteronomy 6:5) and love our neighbor (Leviticus 19:18). To try to understand Christian liberty without first taking into consideration the matter of loving God and loving other will certainly lead to erroneous and hurtful conclusions.
Paul's description of the "weak" and the "stronger" is an obvious statement that there are going to be differences that arise among God's children. How to handle those differences is what should set believers apart from the rest of society. The differences among spiritual brothers and sisters, just as in a physical family, is what makes the family unique, special and productive. The differences are not to cause division but should be greeted with deference.
When Paul uses the term "receive" he is commanding Christians to admit to friendship and familial unity those who may approach certain matters of spiritual practice differently than you. The burden to demonstrate deference is clearly placed upon the "stronger" in Paul's exhortation. If there is division instead of deference it is probably because there is not love; love for God and love for others.
It is not important that we are all alike; it is important that we are all like Christ.
"In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in everything, love."
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
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