Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
Memory of the Month: 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Today's reading: GENESIS 41-42 MATTHEW 12:1-23
Peace And Justice
Micah 6:8 ►He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
We have talked in the past much of mercy and humility but 'to act justly' is the first of the three in Micah 6:8. For some of us, justice is hard to define or explain.
The dictionary says, "just behavior or treatment", then gives as an illustration:
"a concern for justice, peace, and genuine respect for people"-
Behavior or treatment is not mental-'concern' is. Most people can behave justly or treat someone justly without having a real concern for justice. If you go by the book, for example, one can dispense justice without real concern. Concern for real justice is out the window in some of our judicial settings where the guilty are freed on technicalities. Often times we hear the question, "Where's the justice in that", when justice is obvious but not served.
Genuine respect for people cannot be manufactured. Genuine is genuine is of the heart.
Now, one can have genuine respect for people without loving them-a lot of people respect the office of president but this involves little love in many cases.
Micah 6:8 follows 'to act juctly' with 'to love mercy'. I believe, without having a specific scripture, that it is correct to say the Bible teaches that we cannot love mercy without loving the people to whom we extend that mercy.
1 John 4:20 ►Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.
This topic is much larger than one short script, so, we will speak of one obvious area of the human reaction. Revenge. Revenge has nothing to do with justice. Revenge is simply wrong.
Romans 12:19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Luke 6:35 ►But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
A heart is sad that holds anger and resentment-these crush our spirit.
Proverbs 17:22 ►A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Go before God and spill it-He knows it anyway-tell Him you are sick with all the anger and resentment.
It is really hard for us to get it-but-God loves the wicked-not their wickedness-but those who are wicked.
Luke 6:35 ►But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
Anger, revenge, resentment, all- if we allow-these are exhausting. God has a just cure.
Acts 3:19-21 English Standard Version (ESV)
19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus
A 'time of refreshing' is what we all need-mainly because it follows a time of truth before God-a time of confession and wiping it all away. A time of listening and waiting on the Lord is refreshing. "He restores my soul."
Get free.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
Forgive me my anger and vengeful feelings.
I take up my cross, die to self, and I am in your control. Lead me this day in Your peace and power.
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