Tag Archives: Jew

Kiss the Son Lest He be Angry

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Jesus became angry with the leaders of the Jews when they refused to strive to understand His words.  It’s not like His language was foreign,  or spoken in such a way as to cause confusion.  In fact we often see the Jews understanding quite fine when they perceived He spoke something against them.

He was from them.  They had the Law He had delivered to Moses.  And He made sure understanding was close at hand.  No, it wasn’t due to the Lord Jesus that confusion reigned in their rock hard hearts.

Look over your shoulder as you read this.  Take note that I am not speaking foreign words to those who read my posts.  And when I speak to the world, it’s not a people from some strange land I’m addressing.   Yet who responds by softening their rock hard heart?

I am not Jesus.  And you are not Jews.  We are gentiles together.  And I speak the same language as you.  So how come my words seem to be so hard to understand for so many?

Look to your heart.  He did not hold the Jews guiltless for their unwillingness to listen.  He is not likely to treat any other man any differently.  Why not just cut to the bone and soften that rock?  You don’t have to hear what I say.  But if I point to the Son of God, why not go to Him?

He’s been waiting since before you were born.

By His Grace

Fruit Trees of God

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I look at my life and see the fruit appear.  It’s not something I can reach out and hold.  The fruit is more like a receding tide.  Chaos begins to recede or move out of my life, while stability, love, righteous acts, and a determination to continue appear.

Many do not see this kind of fruit in their Christian life.  They pray for help to become godly.  Then they find themselves looking for something rather tangible.  But the fruit of God’s intervention in our lives is not something we can perceive.  Now, I’ll admit that there are times when He moves in and does something that is clearly different and not from this world.  But stopping a bullet in flight toward our heart is not His normal way of doing things.

Look at your life.  You have prayed.  You have developed a mind to know the difference between sin and righteousness.   People have begun to notice that you love God more than the world.  There are certain people you have been praying for that now

English: folio 150 recto of the codex, with th...

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exhibit a difference in their life.  There is a measurable lack of chaos caused by sin.  And there is a marked increase in stability caused by your devotion to the Lord.

20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. (1 Corinthians: 1)

So then, let us not be of those who look for signs and what is called wisdom.  But let us take His promises as if they belong to us.  Let us gather confidence because God cannot lie.  And, above all, let us look to what is, not sitting waiting for a sign from God or a certain thought pattern that will cause men to stand in awe.  We are a people just like those released from bondage in Egypt.  They did not trust God or remember that they had once lived as slaves.  It was for this reason that God said, “They have not known my ways.”  And it was because they did not combine their understanding with faith that God swore on oath that they would never enter His rest.

I am prompted to open my eyes and see what He is doing, as opposed to looking for something I can hold in my hand.  I hope this post has helped to remind my friends of the same thing.  We are urged to remember that life is what is happening while we’re looking for it to happen.

The Modern Wisdom?

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Observing a thread of posts by those who label themselves atheists, I am caused to wonder: 

You are asking questions of those who testify of God’s Grace.  You are asking questions as to the origins of the Bible.  You are seeking, or so it would seem, to understand what Christianity is.  This has gone on now for some time.  Much of the testimony you have received is solid and sure footed.  But you continue to ask for more testimony.

I perceive what you are doing as if you are holding court over the truth we claim.  Testimony after testimony is brought before you and you ask another question.  When is the verdict due?  Or do you think that by this line of questioning  you validate yourself?  Render a decision.  What are you waiting for?  You will never gain the proof you’re seeking.  In the end it will still be a matter of faith.  And you are not new to this cross examination.  Look what Paul wrote:

“Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”  (1 Cor. 22-25)

You will search out our testimony.  But in the end of this foolishness you will be left with nothing.  Consider your own testimony regarding Jesus.  What do you say?  Render your verdict.  The central point of what we testify is that you will give account of yourself to this God you’re trying to prove.  Don’t think that you will be admired by Him because you dissected His people’s faith.

By His Grace.