Live Justly

Prov 14:34; Micah 6:8; KJV We're probably pretty lucky not to live in the most unjust times of long ago. But, that doesn't mean that injustice doesn't thrive today.  

He Answers Our Prayers

Luke 18:1-8 KJV; The unjust judge answered the woman's petitions because he was tired of listening to her. The Lord answers because He is merciful.

The Just For The Unjust

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

                                                                (1 Pet 3:18-22 KJV)

The just one, Jesus the Christ, died for us the unjust. He sacrificed his body for our sakes. 

Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom while he walked upon the earth as true man. Then he sacrificed himself for all of the unjust; for each and every sinner that we might live in that Kingdom in the presence of God. St. Peter tells us that even in death he went and preached the spirits who were in prison; those who had been disobedient in the days of Noah.

The Word of the Lord is meant to be preached to every nation; to every man, woman, and child that they too might hear the Good News and believe.

It is by hearing the Word that we come to faith and by faith alone in the Word alone who is Jesus the Christ we are saved.

Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Blameless

"I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." 

                                                                                   (1 Cor 1:4-8 KJV)

Blameless! We shall be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ! How can that be? We all know we are sinners. We know that we are guilty of sinning against God our Father and against one another. Yet, in the day of our Lord we will be found innocent. Thanks be to God!

Thanks be to God for the grace that has been given to us by our Lord Jesus the Christ. For on the cross he bore our guilt. He was crucified for our sakes that we might be forgiven our sins. As John the Baptist told the crowd upon seeing Jesus coming toward them: "...Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)

Indeed, he has! "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" (1 Pet 3:18)

Thanks be to God for through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord our sins are washed away. (see Rev 1:5)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Pray For Your Enemies

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 

                              (1 Tim 2:1-4 KJV)

There are more than one reason to pray for your enemies. Since humankind tends to be a bit self-centered there among those reasons is a very good; albeit, maybe a bit selfish reason to pray for those who hate us. It is so that as they come to know the Lord Jesus, we too might live in peace rather than stuck in chaos and drama. 

Jesus said:

"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 

                                                                                    (Matt 5:44-45 KJV)

Life on earth is so short. Why waste it on anger and vengeance? If you are the one who persecutes others than please repent so that you might live in peace. Be kind! And, if you are the one who is persecuted pray for your persecutor to repent and to live life in Christ so that you too might live in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Rock

Be to me a rock of refuge,
    a strong fortress, to save me,
    for you are my rock and my fortress.

Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
    from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.

                                            Psalm 71:3-4 NRSV

 

Sully is a huge English Mastiff. He is a rock. He goes about his business steady and sure. You can nudge him; but, unless he wants to move, it's not going to happen. Fortunately, he is a gentle giant and listens quite well. He is totally non-aggressive; but, if he's standing by your side, most people would think twice about approaching you in any manner other than in a most amiable way. 

 

Jesus is our rock of refuge. He is our fortress. The unjust and cruel will not prevail over those who dwell within the walls of that fortress, which is the Body of Christ. As much as I trust that by Sully's side I will be safe; I only see him a few times a year. But, Jesus is with me always. It is he who will save and keep us for all eternity.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Extortion

In you are people who accept bribes to shed blood; you take interest and make a profit from the poor. You extort unjust gain from your neighbors. And you have forgotten me, declares the Sovereign Lord.

I will surely strike my hands together at the unjust gain you have made and at the blood you have shed in your midst. Will your courage endure or your hands be strong in the day I deal with you? I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.
                                                                           Ezekiel 22:12-14 NIV

Although she is no longer living with me, a young member of my family receives credit card offers in the mail at my home from time to time. I look at these offers and wonder how anyone could reach out so unjustly under the guise of helping them. For those young people who are struggling to get on their feet and provide for themselves; how could anyone offer to help them with credit at an interest rate of up to 28%. How could anyone think that they are helping anyone who has fallen onto hard times by charging them such high interest rates help to get them out of hard times? I am sure they could not truly believing that they are helping anyone but themselves. Rather, they are ensuring that the hard times will continue on for years to come.

Years ago when I worked in Administration for Criminal Investigation there was a case where a military wife was lending money to people in need. She was charging around 20% interest. What she was being investigated for was extortion and loan-sharking. It was a crime back then. But now, there are loop-holes that even banks and credit card companies can jump through to charge very damaging rates to those in need without any fear of prosecution. 

Ezekiel was told to judge Jerusalem for forgetting the Lord and for their unjust dealings with others. The people would not protect those who were being used so God promised that He would deal with those who extort unjust gain from others. I wonder why anyone who claims even the slightest connection to Christ would want God to deal with them by extorting large sums from those in need? Do they not realize that would not be a good thing for them?

We are called to help our neighbors and protect all that they own and to not do anything that would cause them further losses or harm. May God change the hearts of those who would use others for their own unjust gains so that people in need can truly be helped.

God's Peace - Pr. J

A Rock And Fortress

Be to me a rock of refuge,
    a strong fortress, to save me,
    for you are my rock and my fortress.

Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the

    wicked,
    from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.

                                            Psalm 71:3-4 NRSV

Sully is a huge English Mastiff. He is a rock. He goes about his business steady and sure. You can nudge him; but, unless he wants to move, it's not going to happen. Fortunately, he is a gentle giant and listens quite well. He is totally non-aggressive; but, if he's standing by your side, most people would think twice about approaching you in any manner other than in a most amiable way. 

Jesus is our rock of refuge. He is our fortress. The unjust and cruel will not prevail over those who dwell within the walls of the fortress, which is the Body of Christ. As much as I trust that by Sully's side I will be safe; I only get to be with him a few times a year. But, Jesus is with me always. It is he who will save and keep us for all eternity.

God's Peace - Pr. J