Reaping What We Sow

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Gal 6:7 KJV)

Yesterday, I wrote about enduring persecutions. As I thought about it throughout the day, I considered that there are many who may feel like they are being persecuted when in reality they are really suffering the consequences of their own poor choices. Often these poor choices or sins involved persecuting others in the first place.

If we break a law, we are not being persecuted if we end up ticketed or arrested. We are suffering the consequences that come with breaking the law. If we end up in divorce court facing huge child support payments because of such things as abuse or infidelity it is because of our own sinful behavior. 

When we suffer because of our own poor choices we don't get to claim victimhood. In many cases we need to recognize that our choices actually harmed others whether it was directly or indirectly. We need to recognize our sin and our need to repent. We need to change our ways and live lives that don't persecute others. 

If we choose to do what is not right and teach others to do the same we need to accept that we shall reap what we have sown.

However, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

May God grant us new and clean hearts that we might live in peace in His loving presence. Amen

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Do What Might Bring Peace

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. 

                                                                                          (Titus 2:1-8 KJV)

All I have to say about these verses from Titus is that it would be so nice if this actually happened. I cannot even begin to imagine how peaceful life would be.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Our Hope

Our covenant is a covenant of hope in Christ Jesus, our Lord!

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV

I must confess that every now and then any semblance of gentleness and respect in me flies out the window. It doesn't happen often and I am usually sorry that I was not more gentle later. Yes, I am sorry when I correct people, not so gently. When it does happen, it is usually when their egos threaten to override anything that would glorify God. When the hope that we have in Christ Jesus becomes hope in the works of people, I get just a little frustrated. I get frustrated when "Christians" who have been "Christians" most of their lives put their own desires before the will of God; forgetting that Jesus is Lord of all; forgetting that our mission is to serve others as Jesus did and does rather than serve ourselves.

Our hope is not in what we or anyone else can do or will attempt to do. Our hope is in the life-giving sacrifice of Jesus for all people. Our hope is in the Kingdom to which Jesus opened the doors to all who would believe in him. Our hope is in Jesus. Our hearts shall revere him above all others, and most definitely above ourselves.

May God help us to be able to speak clearly and gently as we profess that Jesus (and no other) is Lord!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Forgive Us!

THE LORD'S PRAYER

The Fifth Petition.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

What does this mean?--Answer.
We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look upon our sins, nor deny such petitions on account of them; for we are worthy of none of the things for which we pray, neither have we deserved them; but that He would grant them all to us by grace; for we daily sin much, and indeed deserve nothing but punishment. So will we verily, on our part, also heartily forgive and also readily do good to those who sin against us.

The Book of Concord

Forgive us our trespasses. We begin this petition by asking that our sins be forgiven. We begin by acknowledging that we have sinned against God and others. We begin with repentance. We understand that we are sinful beings and that without the grace and mercy of God we would be lost for all eternity. It is only by faith in the redeeming sacrifice of Jesus on the cross that we can be saved. 

In John's first epistle we are reminded: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8 NKJV) It is very difficult to receive forgiveness if we cannot acknowledge that we have sinned and in need of forgiveness. It is like a pitcher filled with sour milk. There is no way you can add fresh milk to the pitcher. There is no room and even if there were the fresh milk would also become rancid. The pitcher must be emptied and cleansed first.  

Having worked as a cognitive behavior treatment specialist at a correctional facility as well as having served in pastoral ministry for over twenty years, I have witnessed and addressed the various ways that human beings deny the truth of their sinful nature. One of the most common ways to deny the truth of our own sinful nature is to attempt to justify one's actions by pointing out someone else's sins. In other words, we direct the focus onto others in the hopes that our owns sins will not be quite so visible to the people around us. During confessions like this, I usually remind them that we are not called to confess the sins of others; but, to confess our own sins.

We are called to repentance; to turn around and follow in the footsteps of Jesus in and to the Kingdom of God. Jesus, the only one without sin, was willing to take the sins of the world upon himself and to be crucified for our sins that we might be reconciled to God and to one another. He was willing to die that we might receive forgiveness and live life in him. It behooves us then, if we are to truly follow in his footsteps, to forgive others even as we would desire to be forgiven.

It is not now or ever helpful for one to confess the perceived sins of others, day after day, year after year. This is not will not aid us in any way to continue on the path that Jesus would lead us on. It is a major distraction and will only lead us on the path to destruction. It is definitely not a way to witness to God's great mercy and love for us and for all people.

Repent and receive the forgiveness of sins that cost Jesus his life. Turn around and follow him on the path to eternal life. Forgive others even as you are forgiven.

According to the Gospel of Luke (17:3-4), Jesus tells us: “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.  Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

May God help us to repent of our own sins and to forgive one another even as He forgives us.

God's Peace - Pr. Judy

By Grace You Have Been Saved

 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Eph 2:8-9 NIV

Years ago, when I worked at a youth correctional facility, I would hear very negative comments from people in the community about the youth. I usually could do nothing more than shake my head. You see, I knew them all and I also knew that one main difference between them and the youth was that they had never been caught or charged for their criminal behavior as the youth had.

We are all sinners in need of God's gift of salvation. Not one of us is saved because we are so good. We are saved by God's grace, through faith. It is a gift from God. Thanks be to God, for His mercy is great!

God's Peace - Pr. J