Proverbs 11:21 - Descendants of the Righteous

Proverbs 11:21

Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished,

But the descendants of the righteous will be delivered. 

Message: Descendants of the Righteous

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: At first glance this verse looks familiar. Verse 4, "Righteousness delivers from death." Verse 5, "The wicked will fall." Verse 6, "The righteousness of the upright will deliver them." Verse 8, "The righteous is delivered from trouble" and "through knowledge the righteous will be delivered." These verses continue to contrast the upright and the wicked with slight alterations in describing the outcomes of the evil man versus the righteous. 

Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished

Justice is a very important theme in the Bible. The word is more common in the Old Testament with few references in the New Testament. As I've studied the time of David and Saul and others in 1 and 2 Samuel I have noticed that the line between God rewarding people with safety in this present life is fairly close meaning there often isn't much different between those that receive life versus death. In other words, there is a clear contrast in the Bible between those that are favored versus those that are punished. And so Solomon here gives a clear contrast here with the evil man and righteous. 

The King James Version says, "Though hand join in hand" meaning that their is a collective effort by the wicked. NASB says "Assuredly." 

But the descendants of the righteous will be delivered. 

Beyond the righteous only, this verse now highlights the descendants. Thus, the actions of one generation impact the next. Most of what I am gleaning from these verses is found here. Like the statement, righteousness is often associated with faithfulness to God's commandments and a life lived in accordance with His will. 

This makes me think how I am actively living a life of righteousness. I hope our children are seeing us choose righteousness, not simply going along with the activities of our world but choosing activities that please God. Hopefully they see me investing in people's lives, both online and in real life. But righteous living is also seeking to glorify God in my activities, trusting God. And speaking of this in my life. I would like them to see someone that not only reads God words, but practices it. I hope they see my deep care for people and their well being. I hope they see that we need to be a people that gives to those in need. 

Ultimately, I want to see my descendants choosing God in their lives and making their relationship with God important in all the days of their lives, also having a devotion to God. I hope we are people in which our activities are spent doing things that glorify God. 

This morning I was listening to this song -- "It's the Truth" by Dogwood from 1975. It had this chorus:

It's the truth

My sin has made me just as good as dead

But Jesus said, "I took your place

On the cross I bore your shame and disgrace

So, child, with your face, it's all right

I heard you prayin' early in the night

I made it right, it's the truth

You don't have to suffer when you're dead"

He made it right. I don't have to suffer. Jesus has suffered for me. He took my place. He bore my shame and disgrace. Today is Easter / Resurrection Day. 

Prayer: Thank you God for giving this one person not what he deserves but giving me grace. Thank you for taking my place. O God, pass on any righteousness you have given me to my children. Remove evil from me, including any selfishness. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 19:1-5 - Pilate Presents Jesus to the Crowd

John 19:1-5 

1 Pilate then took Jesus and scourged Him. 2 And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and put a purple robe on Him; 3 and they began to come up to Him and say, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and to give Him slaps in the face. 4 Pilate came out again and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you so that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.” 5 Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the Man!”

Message: Pilate Presents Jesus to the Crowd

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus' fate is clear now - he will be crucified. In this passage Jesus is scourged, a crown of thorns placed on his head, a purple robe over him, and people can now slap him on the face as well and poke fun of him - Jesus, King of the Jews - with Pilate presenting Jesus to the crowd. 

Matthew and Mark provide similar accounts of the scourging of Jesus or the process leading up to His crucifixion. I find this interesting that the level of detail is not great. Luke really doesn't have any detail of His scourging but more detail given once he arrives at the crucifixion.  

Matthew 27 marks the account starting in verse 26, "Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified." And then further detail, "27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him. 28 They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. 29 And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head. 31 After they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him. 32 As they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear His cross."

Mark provides a similar, though not as much detail account in chapter 15 again with a statement of summary, "Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. 16 The soldiers took Him away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium), and they called together the whole Roman cohort. 17 They dressed Him up in purple, and after twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on Him; 18 and they began to acclaim Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 They kept beating His head with a reed, and spitting on Him, and kneeling and bowing before Him. 20 After they had mocked Him, they took the purple robe off Him and put His own garments on Him. And they led Him out to crucify Him. 21 They pressed into service a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to bear His cross."

I am reminded of the movie, the Ox-Bow Incident, a 1943 western with Henry Fonda. At a saloon, ranchers get news that one of their own has been murdered. A posse is put together and based upon some circumstantial evidence, a man is in the process of being hanged for a crime, though he is innocent. This is actually a fairly consistent theme or plot that shows up in movies. The Wrong Man, also with Henry Fonda from 1957 chronicles a man being accused of robbery only to later discover he was mistaken for looking like the real thief.  And then Henry Fonda once again stars in 12 Angry Men (1957), my favorite movie, about a jury debating the fate of a young man accused of a crime. 11 believe him guilty while 1 has questions and the movie is about all 12 men deliberating in a room the fate of this young man, only to see him exonerated. In all of these movies, the innocent man is exonerated. But with Jesus, though seemingly innocent of political insurrection, his fate to the cross and bearing the sin of humanity continues as part of God's sovereign plan to save people from their sin. 

I also think about the movie Passion of the Christ from 2004 co-written, co-produced and directed by Mel Gibson that chronicles the last week of Jesus and in stark detail gives a picture of the scourging of Jesus. It is the most graphic representation I have seen and whether it exaggerates or takes artistic license of the scourging is unknown. 

Some have thought there is a difference between John's account to Mark and Matthew's with Pilate flogging Jesus prior to him given over to be crucified. I don't see this discrepancy. I think what is interesting is how Pilate tries at times to separate Himself from declaring Jesus' sentence, and yet is involved in keeping Him as a potential criminal. By involving Pilate in the process, it appears those that found Him guilty (the Jewish officials) used this involvement to continue his fate to be crucified.

Other scriptures:

Romans 15:1-3 - Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. 2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME." - This is great. Jesus bore the punishment of sins committed between people with this reminder that it is important to please our neighbor, taking up the cross for our brother as Jesus did for all of us. 

I Peter 2:21 - For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps. - Christ suffered for me and I may need to also suffer even when good is done. Suffering is so counter-cultural, especially as Americans it would seem as we work so hard to safeguard ourselves from any sort of unwelcome situations. 

Summary: Jesus is scourged, receives the crown of thorns on his head, with many mocking and slapping him, but Pilate also presenting him as having no guilt, a man. 

Promise: I am to emulate Christ in all His ways, most notably realizing I may need to suffer even for doing good. 

Prayer: Lord, I love a good story of a guilty person being exonerated or found not guilty. That sense of justice being served is a good feeling. and yet knowing that You Jesus, though pronounced not guilty still received the penalty of guilt makes me desire to follow You. You took on my sin, being the sacrifice that was needed for me to fulfill the wrath and justice of God. You are way different than all I know and I know in my life I steer so much away from any semblance of suffering. I thank you for the movie Passion of the Christ and it impressing in me that picture of your suffering. I need to be reminded of this always. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Romans 2:6-11 - Eternal Punishment

Romans 2:6-11

6 who will render to each person according to his deeds: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.

Message: Eternal Punishment

Time: Paul wrote Romans from Corinth as he prepared to leave for Palestine. Phoebe (16:1,2) was given the great responsibility of delivering the letter to the Romans believers. At this time, Rome had a population of 1 million, many of whom were slaves. The Romans church was doctrinally sound, but it still needed rich doctrine and practical application. Rome had massive buildings but also slums.

What the Lord is Saying: My last lesson. I started this series on the 500th year anniversary of the Reformation 5 years ago, on December 16, 2018. I finally made it. Whew! And it ends with a study on hell. But the study has not been hell, but a joyous thing, just too much distraction and too much deliberation I suppose, but nothing to complain about. I made it. 

Today in our service at church, we looked at Matthew 7 which begins with the anthem, "Do not judge." I enjoyed looking at this passage during the service and seeing that the emphasis on this chapter is really examining oneself. This is what we need to do. We need to be people that examine ourselves fervently, because we are people that need examining. I need examining. I get comfortable too quickly. And I need to stop and stare. There are basically 4 1/2 verses on this self-examination met with bookends of "Do not judge" and then "Go ahead and judge" after you have examined oneself. 

I must admit I struggle at times examining myself. And as I get older I know I have faults, but I am also thankful to the Holy Spirit for constantly pricking me and let's face it, life without kids at home is easier. And the fact that I've learned that "Husbands, Love Your wives" is of great joy and pleasure, it helps me to remove myself from other sins. I keep learning and I keep making adjustments and yet I need to remember that God sees more in me than I can see. 

Like verse 9 of chapter 2, "There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil." Everyone. Everyone who does evil will get tribulation and distress. I think I will be judged and I will see what I have done and I will automatically be feeling distress. I simply hope my distress results in eternal happiness instead of punishment when God sees Christ in me. I think it will, because I will be focused on Christ's work on the cross. 2 Corinthians 5:21, "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

The reality is we know that God will be impartial. And we want this. I don't want this, but I want those I see as unworthy. But the slate will be clean and there will be no prejudice. Verse 11, "For there is no partiality with God." 

Romans 1 and 2 is interesting for it states that we will be judged based upon the revelation that we have received or the extent we have heard Truth. That is scary in a way. The more you hear, potentially the worse off you are. And people will be judged according to the degree of their sin. From Tabletalk, "People will also be judged according to the degree of their sin. Although the slightest sin is enough to merit eternal punishment, the degree of suffering is not the same for all who receive eternal punishment. Scripture assumes degrees of sin and punishment. For example, in the Mosaic law, some sins merit the death penalty and some do not. In the New Testament, there is a love that covers a multitude of sins—a multitude of transgressions. Other sins, however, can merit excommunication (Matt. 18:15–20; 1 Peter 4:8)."

Summary:  Eternal punishment for all that are resting on their own righteousness, yet the degree of their sin and the extent of revelation will impact the type of punishment they receive. 

Promise: Eternal punishment is a sobering reality. All who stand before God on judgment day on the basis of their own works will find themselves under eternal condemnation.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this study. Thank you for helping me understand your word. I took it slow, maybe too slow, but I pray that you would give me a good memory. Thank you for this study on hell and helping me better understand your compassion but may it still move me to be more vocal about the gospel and sharing Your good news. 

Romans 3:22b-26 - Justification from the Just God

22 for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. - Romans 3:22b-26

Message: Justification from the Just God

Time: The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans from the Greek city of Corinth in AD 57, just three years after the 16 year old Nero had ascended to the throne as Emperor of Rome. Persecution of Christians wouldn't begin until AD 64. The church was experiencing times of relative peace. From where he wrote, Corinth, was a hotbed of sexual immorality and idol worship.

What the Lord is Saying:

As I read the text here today from Romans 3:22-26 what jumps out to me is I have sinned but I have been redeemed by the work of Jesus Christ. My committed sins are now overlooked by God because Jesus and His word demonstrated true righteousness. And I can be justified before God by my faith in Jesus. This is the gospel. My sin is real but God's work is greater. 

This continues to be the message of God that is overlooked. Instead people cry out continually that God is love. But people often miss what this means. They believe that God's love means that He freely accepts everyone and the notion of sin is not even in the equation. However a person wants to define their lives for God, though, He accepts them. The problem for the world I believe is the line between --what is evil and not-- is shrinking and so--what is acceptable behavior--is narrowing. But overall culture thinks that sin is not in the cards. As I talk to people about faith, the first order is to help them see their sin. For the gospel really only holds meaning if people can acknowledge that they are sinners and not perfect and in need of a redeemer. 

We know that God is just (Deut 32:4). While the Lord forgives iniquity or sin He still pronounces people guilty (Numbers 14:18). I love crime drama movies and genre film noir. The motif of those movies is generally about a wrongdoing and how that crime gets found out or exposed. In all of us, we need this. We need to see that crimes are not simply forgiven but their is punishment for a crime. I think in society it is not that we don't want this to happen but instead we have blurred the lines as to what is actually sin. It is horrible when a guilty person in life escapes their sin. Our society it seems right now has gone too far in that direction and is now acting as the judge of the sin they have branded, but God is the judge. We need to play by His rules. 

God is full of mercy in that He does not want anyone to perish (Psalm 86:15; 2 Peter 3:9). Some will take this to mean that man is therefore involved in his or her salvation because for God to choose would mean that He doesn't want all people saved. But it goes back to the idea of can man really make himself righteous and He can't. Only via God's righteousness can man be righteous. There is no good in me. The only good comes from God. So submit to His plan for being made righteous which is the meaning of today's passage from Romans 3:22-26. We are justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. I can't make myself righteous. 

In God's mercy He has made the way for me to be accepted. Justice has been served because Jesus is the Lamb of God; He is my sacrifice. He is my substitute. He is my redeemer. Verse 26 states that He is just. God punished sin through Jesus on the Cross and then Jesus conquered sin by rising again. The punishment was in full and it meant something because He rose again. 

Promise: God can always be trust. He is both just and the justifier. I must be defined by His truths. 

Prayer: O God, thank you for this truth, another reminder of tying this all together for me. I am unworthy. I am a sinner. You are the Savior. In your timing, You chose me and you provided the fulfillment of my salvation in Jesus Christ living a perfect life, dying and being punished for sin and then defeating it by rising again. Help that truth to become simple in my life and transferable to others. I want to testify of You continually as you enable me. Help me to rest in You each day and allow You to work. I can't manufacture your love or your ways in my life, but as your child, I can walk by faith. 

Question: Take a moment, and based upon this lesson, write out the gospel message. 

Mark 15:16-20 - The Soldiers Mock Jesus

Mark 15:16-20
16 The soldiers took Him away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium), and they *called together the whole Roman cohort. 17 They *dressed Him up in purple, and after twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on Him; 18 and they began to acclaim Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 They kept beating His head with a reed, and spitting on Him, and kneeling and bowing before Him. 20 After they had mocked Him, they took the purple robe off Him and put His own garments on Him. And they *led Him out to crucify Him.

Message: The Soldiers Mock Jesus

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has been seized on Thursday evening, then taken back and witnesses came but then Caiaphas question Jesus and he admitted he was the Messiah, the Son of God and would sit at the right hand of God. Caiaphas took this as blasphemy and wanted him to die. The people spat on him and beat him. They turned him over to Pilate for Roman authority carried out capital punishment. Pilate questioned him about being King of the Jews and he admitted it. There was an opportunity to pardon someone but the Jewish people wanted Barabbas, a man who revolted against Roman authority pardoned, and despite questions by Pilate of what should come of Jesus, the people responded in the same way the chief priests responded - Crucify Him.

In the scripture, when God deals with a people it is often through Gentiles. The Gentiles became instruments of God to deal with the sins of people - their turning their back on God or serving other God's. He used his chosen people's enemies to bring about judgment on His chosen people. However, these Gentiles were not aware of this, they were all acting for their own reasons. And though each was responsible they were also serving the role of God. God works all things together is what Romans 8:28 says. The sovereign Lord of history uses people for His purposes. It is for his good that often doesn't feel like good. And present day people don't understand this when our highest good is comfort, safety, personal enjoyment and being entertained. We are a people that not only hate to feel bad, but everything in our lives is about making sure nothing hurts. Tolerance is preached from the mountain tops which means we are never to have a hard day and never to pass judgment on anyone.

In this moment with Jesus he is being dealt a blow by his enemies at the time. The Jewish leaders were threatened by Him, not because He was was right, but because he was different. And their authority in that day was being threatened. And they wanted him to die. And they got the people to think the same thing and form a mob. They were responsible, but Jesus also predicted his death. Jesus was to die. He knew it. He prayed I think that he would have the strength, the human strength to go through with it.

He was a man without sin. Did he deserve this? No. But his purpose was carrying out and showing God's wrath for human sin. The Lamb must be slaughtered. God preached substitution atonement. Each person is responsible for their own sin but each person is incapable of enduring the wrath for their own sin. They need a substitute. The world cries out that each person is to "do the best they can" but God says "no one is worthy."

Today, I look at Jesus being mocked. In verse 15, Jesus has been scourged. But now in addition to being beaten in different ways -  twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on Him - they took a crown of thorns that when we touch a thorn in the garden we put on special gloves to prevent those thorns from pricking our hand because we hate that pain. We hate pain. And Jesus had a crown of thorns placed on His head. Every time he moved a thorn would jab him. Every time someone beat him it would press against his head. I hate thorns. I hate the stinging pain. He had a crown of thorns. What pain he experienced. They kept beating His head with a reed. While the crown of thorns was on his head, the reed was a scepter or instrument that inflicted more pain on him. Again, the reed would hit his head and drive those thorns into his temple. I'm not sure of the makeup of this reed. But, it was used to inflict more pain.

There was spitting on Him. They spit on his face. It was demeaning. And they kneeling and bowing before Him, so they mocked Him. They took his dignity away. O how we hate to have our dignity threatened. Many people spend years dealing through the pain of words.

Summary - Jesus has already been scourged to the point of death, but now he receives a crown of thorns and continued pain is inflicted on him as those thorns continue to prick his head and then he is mocked and spit on and mocked some more. Jesus takes all this pain. He stands their silent. He does not run. He does not try to get away. He accepts it.

Promise: The Lord endures suffering for me. What I am learning day by day to hate more than anything in this life is unease, discomfort, pain, feeling bad -- Jesus endured these things for me. He took the punishment and the pain.

Prayer: O Lord, I am so weak. I am getting trained in this world each day in the wrong way. Lord, I am to toil for you. I am to work hard. Yet Lord, my greatest goal is to protect myself from this to the point that I feel like many times I have graduated from pain. I just want things to be fixed. Lord Jesus thank you for taking my pain. I hate thorns and I protect myself against them but for you there was no protection. You took all the pain. Lord, my words of thanks will never be good enough, but help me to know that I can live my life in a better way. I can submit and surrender to You and give it my all each day to toil for you. Forgive me for looking for the easy road, the road of comfort and ease. Help me instead to surrender to You and accept what You provide. Make me withstand this in life.

Proverbs 11:21 - The Certainty of Deliverance

Proverbs 11:21
Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished,
But the descendants of the righteous will be delivered.

Message: The Certainty of Deliverance

Time: King Solomon is the principal writer of Proverbs. Solomon's proverbs were penned around 900 B.C. In the Book of Proverbs, Solomon reveals the mind of God in matters high and lofty and in common, ordinary, everyday situations, too. It appears that no topic escaped King Solomon's attention. Matters pertaining to personal conduct, sexual relations, business, wealth, charity, ambition, discipline, debt, child-rearing, character, alcohol, politics, revenge, and godliness are among the many topics covered in this rich collection of wise sayings.

What the Lord is Saying:

The Contrast
As in many Proverbs, this verse presents a contrast. Here it speaks of the evil man and the descendants of the righteous. And then it also contrasts their two outcomes: not going unpunished contrasted with being delivered. The outcomes presented here of punishment and deliverance are outcomes we are all trying to avoid and receive, respectively.

Evil Outcomes
To me, the hallmark belief of the Bible is just this here and that is principally evil will be punished. I think this is one of the primary principals of the Bible that is chiefly being assaulted today. One of the big ways this is being done is what is defined as evil is being diminished or lessened. Conversely, what is called punishment is also being diminished.

I love old shows. One reason I love old shows is they generally are absent of vulgar thoughts and living in the shows and the tenets of what I would subscribe to in my life are often not as apparent. Sure, there still may be adultery or murder present but it is not explicitly shown. And bad language and cursing God's name is generally completely absent. And often there is a cord of faith in most movies because the country at large had a backdrop of faith even if they may not have really had their heart into it. So overall, I like these old shows and movies for those reasons.

Regarding this verse, I think of cop shows like Adam-12 and Dragnet. Adam-12 followed the lives of 2 officers, throughout their day as they encountered offenses that occurred in society. Offenses that were present were stealing TV's, revenge, domestic disturbances, investigating noise complaints, settling a dispute between arguing neighbors, arresting drug abusers (not dealers, but users). I guess my sense is many of these types of situations don't get dealt with by police today. But, also we in society may not even call these serious offenses. Much of the focus is what we term serious offenses now.

I think most people today would agree with this verse completely in that evil should be punished, but I also think that what they call evil today is way different from 50 years ago. TV shows, Movies, and the media have worked to redefine what is evil in society. And so the belief in society is punishment will not come to many because evil is not as prevalent in society as Scripture would make us to believe.

Deliverance
The contrast to the evil outcomes of evil choices and people and acts is the deliverance that comes from the descendants of the righteous. Now, this is different because it doesn't say the righteous, but rather the descendants. Could it be that there is power in living a righteous life; that living a righteous life yields dividends beyond the current generation? Perhaps this is the importance of living in a righteous manner. And yet it is possible the seed or descendant is more line with the children of God that we are called, those that have trusted Jesus as Savior and depend on his righteousness. We know we are not righteous without Christ. He is complete righteousness, so rather than this saying that this is a promise to my children, maybe rather what it is is a promise to those that have surrendered their lives to the Lord and accepting his riches.

The deliverance we have received is being in Christ and the peace that comes from this. We have peace in Christ that will last forever, for eternity. Those that keep the commandments of God; and have the testimony of Jesus Christ, we were delivered from the outcome that is deserved. We deserve punishment and to be separated from God, but through Christ we have been redeemed and we have been delivered.

Again, this is a message so contrary to the message that we hear in our world today. What is preached is human effort and outcomes from what we have done. The need to even be delivered has been replaced by the idea that we are all self-dependent. I don't need God when I have lots of savings in my back account. I don't need God when I can clearly see the result of my hard work and good decisions. I have much so I pray little. There is such a danger in riches or having things because it so easily makes me think that I can do it on my own, without God. It's the same lie that was presented to Adam and Eve. The serpent gave the idea that nothing really bad will come from breaking God's commandments. And even better we need to change God's rules into rights.

Promise: This is the essence of this verse - it isn't necessarily talking of immediate punishment or immediate deliverance, but these are final outcomes.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the clarity of this verse. Thank you for your great love for me and for saving me. Lord, keep me centered on You. Keep me focused on the great need in the cross. Help me to not be self-dependent and self-sufficient. I pray to remain urgent for truth, for deliverance. I thank you for your patience and allowing so many the opportunity for salvation by giving them time.

Proverbs 6:27-29 - Fire Safety

Proverbs 6:27-29
27 

27 Can a man carry fire next to his chest
and his clothes not be burned?
28 Or can one walk on hot coals
and his feet not be scorched?
29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife;
none who touches her will go unpunished.

Message: Fire Safety

Time: King Solomon is the principal writer of Proverbs. Solomon's proverbs were penned around 900 B.C. In the Book of Proverbs, Solomon reveals the mind of God in matters high and lofty and in common, ordinary, everyday situations, too. It appears that no topic escaped King Solomon's attention. Matters pertaining to personal conduct, sexual relations, business, wealth, charity, ambition, discipline, debt, child-rearing, character, alcohol, politics, revenge, and godliness are among the many topics covered in this rich collection of wise sayings.

What the Lord is Saying:

The message in these verses is simple: "Don't play with fire; if you do, you will get burned." Verse 27 is almost a verse a humor acknowledging the ridiculous of carrying fire next to his person and yet thinking that he can do this and not get burned. We often do the same with sin. We listen to music that we know has a bad message, but I remember saying as a kid, I just ignore the words and enjoy the music. We do the same with TV shows and movies, loving parts, and saying we ignore the rest. But, it is having an affect on us.

These verses are a caution statement to the sin in our lives. Most notably here is the sin of adultery. It amazes me how much the Bible is a book about avoiding sexual sin. And yet we find ourselves living in a day and age when sexual immorality and temptations is everywhere in our world. As a man, I see that I am weak in those areas. Perhaps it was being tempted to look at a magazine when I was a young man, before the age of 10 and then again in middle school when my hormones were on high alert. And this temptation has carried with me in life, despite having a beautiful and wonderful wife who fulfills all of my needs and desires. It continues. The temptation continues despite my circumstances. The media puts out the message continually because they know it is something that people want and desire. Hugh Hefner just died and in many ways he is thought to be a revolutionary person and yet he gave permission to something that really was a taboo throughout scripture, but he helped normalize it so that the sin became acceptable behavior.

This is the danger I have seen with sin in the 21st century and post 1960's, it is the rewriting of it, to make it seem acceptable. We have focused instead on "If it feels good, do it" and even the idea of tolerance in which we respect anyone's desire to like whatever they desire. We are riding down a slippery slope and in many ways, getting further away from God as a country (USA). And many people don't care because as long as our comfort, safety, and entertainment is in check, we don't care about what is going on around us.

It's an interesting sin in society. We have so many messages that joke about it, but we still call out people that get caught in these behaviors. A famous Hollywood producer just got caught because he pressured women to be involved with him (the accusation). I don't think the act is being judged but rather what is being judged is the infringement of another person's rights. It's just so ironic when it is a message that is continually sold in society.

The message here is clear: don't go near it. Stay far from it. That's the only way to get out unscathed.

Promise: Knowing our own weaknesses, we should avoid those occasions, people, or places where we might find ourselves playing with the fire of sin. If we do not do that, we will set ourselves up for failure and compromise the holiness to which God calls us.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the truth of your word, even words written by a man that lived about 3000 years ago still resonate with us today. Despite our advances in a myriad of ways these same principles hold true to our lives. Lord, give us your power to resist these sins. Lead us not into temptation. When we do sin, deliver us from evil. Thank you for being a God of forgiveness and cleaning us from all impurity. Now, help us to walk each new day - clean.

Romans 3:3-4 - The Faithfulness of God

Romans 3:3-4 - 3 What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? 4 May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, “That You may be justified in Your words, And prevail when You are judged.”

Message: This is the third objection which is can God be faithful when His chosen people are not.

Time: Paul probably wrote Romans between A.D. 57-58 while he was at Corinth in the home of his friend and convert Gaius. He planned to go first to Jerusalem to deliver a gift of money from the Gentile churches to the poor in Jerusalem. Then he hoped to visit Rome on his way to Spain. His hopes were later realized, but not as he had expected. When he finally arrived in Rome in early A.D. 60, he was a prisoner under house arrest (Acts 28:11-31).

What the Lord is Saying:

Background
In the diatribe of Paul's words, this is the third objection. First, what advantage is there of being a Jew? Second, what is the benefit of circumcision? Paul's response to the imaginary objector is that there is a great advantage in being a Jew and that there is a responsibility given to the Jewish people to possess the Law. 

Third Objection
In verse 3, to "not believe" is to not trust in God. It is giving the opportunity to believe and then not believing or rejecting. "Their unbelief" or their lack of belief "will not nullify" or reduce to inactivity "the faithfulness of God" or the One in whom we place complete confidence in. So, What then? The literal reading of this verse then is, "If some did not trust in God, their lack of belief will not reduce to inactivity the One in whom we place complete confidence in, will it?"

The question that I think Paul is asking (as for some reason this verse has always kind of stumped me, though I think I may understand now what he is asking) is based upon this premise: If God's promised people or chosen ones are not trusting in Him, doesn't this mean God is not faithful? Or Is who God is contingent upon His people's response of Him? Or If the Jews have failed as God's people, then how God then must be powerless and He is unfaithful? God would not choose a people that would then not trust Him, would He? 

The response to the Objection
Verse 4: May it never be. This is the strongest statement that could be made and denotes impossibility. God's faithfulness is not conditioned upon man's response. And all men or people includes Jews. 

Paul then turns to a quote from the Old Testament, Psalm 51:4 which states, "Against You, You only, I have sinned; And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge." I believe Paul is stating here that God will always be justified to judge man of sin. This was Paul's main point in chapter 2. God is true. Every man may be a liar, but God is true. The Jew's disobedience didn't somehow make God not true and not the judge. Yes, He chose the Jews, but God's character is not dependent upon their response to Him.

God is faithful to bless and God is faithful to curse. For God to be justified the payment for the injustice committed is decided by the one that has been wronged. Once I sin, I am a sinner and have therefore broke God's standard or His Law. I don't get to decide what will be acceptable to God in order to be counted as excused from being a sinner. As an example, if I hit someone's car driving, I don't get out of the car, look at the dent and then tell the person, "well, that's not such a big deal, here's $50, apply this to your damage." No, instead the person whose car I hit gets to decide how much I am to pay. To be justified then is according to His Standard of the prescribed punishment. And when the payment is then made, the person is paid in full. 

And Paul is stating once again that payment of sins is faith in God so man can then be declared righteous.  

God is the perfect judge.

Promise: God is always true though every person may be a liar.

Ezekiel 4

Message: Prior to Ezekiel beginning to speak to Jerusalem/Judah/Israel, he is to carry out a sign of their punishment by lying on his right and left side for a total of 430 days.

Time: Not sure when this occurred. It was probably about 595 BC.

What the Lord is Saying: The Lord asks Ezekiel to take a brick and engrave the city Jerusalem's name on it. Put a wall against it and put an iron griddle between you and it. He is then to lie on his left side for 390 days, equal to the number of years of their punishment, to bear their punishment. [This 390 days represents the period from 976 BC, the approximate year in which the glory of the Lord entered Jerusalem temple during Solomon's reign tunil Jerusalem's fall in 586 BC.] Then turn to his right side and lay on it 40 days, 1 day for each year for the punishment of the house of Judah, most likely referring to a generation of people. Your food will be barley cake and water. This is unclean bread and it is prepared in unclean ways. The bread will be measured as the water will be. This signifies the way their lives are lived, by exact measurement, not by hearty blessing. Judgment awaits.

Promise: The church is responsible for disciplining its flock. And the church is held responsible is they do not do this.