Acts 10:34-35 - Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right."
Here is an excerpt from Matthew Henry's commentary on this passage: "Acceptance cannot be obtained on any other ground than that of the
covenant of mercy, through the atonement of Christ; but wherever true
religion is found, God will accept it without regarding names or sects." (Derived from bible.cc).
Peter's statement reminds me of what Jesus himself said in the Sermon on the Mount. We read that particular passage a couple days ago in Matthew chapter 5:43-48. God causes the rain to fall on the righteous and the unrighteous and does not treat anyone differently, as he loves all of us.
Showing posts with label Sermon on the Mount. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sermon on the Mount. Show all posts
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
The Golden Rule
Do to others as you would have them do unto you (Matthew 7:14). Jesus speaks those words at the end of a section on asking and receiving from God. We wouldn't give bad things to our children; God likewise doesn't do that, but rather only gives good gifts. And he knows far better what is good for us. Then Jesus says, "So in everything, do to others...." We should take God's example of giving good gifts to us, and try and replicate it ourselves in our actions with everyone. The easiest way to picture this happening is to go about doing to others what we would have them do to us (which would presumably be good things).
If you want an explanation of how this verse came to be "The Golden Rule", check out Scarboromissions.ca.
If you want an explanation of how this verse came to be "The Golden Rule", check out Scarboromissions.ca.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Last Post of the Year
Thanks to everyone who has tracked with me through 2010. Here is the last post of the year, and I hope you'll come again in 2011.
Matthew
Worry. The passage in the Sermon on the Mount that addresses worrying is so straightforward and understandable, yet quite difficult (in my view) to put into practice. I understand and desire to live without worry, but somehow, I let it creep into my life. This is a great example of when we can use prayer! Whenever you worry, hopefully you will realize what you're doing, and when you do, bring that issue to God. Even if it's a "small" thing, mention it to God and lay it at his feet. And keep doing that as long as the issue comes to mind. We may worry about a lot of things, but when we let God into the picture, we can start letting go.
Matthew
Worry. The passage in the Sermon on the Mount that addresses worrying is so straightforward and understandable, yet quite difficult (in my view) to put into practice. I understand and desire to live without worry, but somehow, I let it creep into my life. This is a great example of when we can use prayer! Whenever you worry, hopefully you will realize what you're doing, and when you do, bring that issue to God. Even if it's a "small" thing, mention it to God and lay it at his feet. And keep doing that as long as the issue comes to mind. We may worry about a lot of things, but when we let God into the picture, we can start letting go.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Prayer
Matthew
Prayer. I think prayer is often misunderstood; I myself am still learning all that prayer can be and do. The term 'prayer' seems so formal, but the action should be more conversational. How else can we get to know God as friend, father, and helper, if we're too formal to get past the "Oh gracious heavenly father from the utmost realms above."? I never talk to my friends like that, unless I were joking around. We've got to bare our hearts to God, no matter what shape we're in or emotion we're feeling, not babbling like the pagans trying to fill up space, but knowing that whatever we say, whether short or long, God hears it and listens. That kind of prayer can be unceasing, as we share our thoughts and feelings with God throughout the day, whatever we're doing.
Prayer. I think prayer is often misunderstood; I myself am still learning all that prayer can be and do. The term 'prayer' seems so formal, but the action should be more conversational. How else can we get to know God as friend, father, and helper, if we're too formal to get past the "Oh gracious heavenly father from the utmost realms above."? I never talk to my friends like that, unless I were joking around. We've got to bare our hearts to God, no matter what shape we're in or emotion we're feeling, not babbling like the pagans trying to fill up space, but knowing that whatever we say, whether short or long, God hears it and listens. That kind of prayer can be unceasing, as we share our thoughts and feelings with God throughout the day, whatever we're doing.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Loving our enemies
Genesis
It's interesting to see how the twelve tribes of Israel came about because two sisters were fighting over who got to sleep with their shared husband. What a different culture! With a more modern worldview, we can look at this story and say that it is clearly a lesson to not have two sisters marry the same man. However, if we put ourselves in ancient Canaanite/Israelite history, we would find that this situation is more common than not.
As for Jacob being deceived by Laban, one can't feel too sorry for him, as he himself was a great deceiver (cf. Esau (twice!) and Laban's sheep).
Matthew
I've often wondered what was meant by Matthew 5:48 - "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Read alone, it suggests that we need to attain perfection, not having any sin. Read in context, "perfect" seems to suggest something a little more attainable (see the commentaries at http://bible.cc/matthew/5-48.htm). Jesus was just talking about loving our enemies, not just our neighbours. Just as God loves all people, and acts with a certain wholeness and consistency, so we must also be whole, complete, and consistent in our attitude, mirroring that of God the Father as represented through Jesus.
It's interesting to see how the twelve tribes of Israel came about because two sisters were fighting over who got to sleep with their shared husband. What a different culture! With a more modern worldview, we can look at this story and say that it is clearly a lesson to not have two sisters marry the same man. However, if we put ourselves in ancient Canaanite/Israelite history, we would find that this situation is more common than not.
As for Jacob being deceived by Laban, one can't feel too sorry for him, as he himself was a great deceiver (cf. Esau (twice!) and Laban's sheep).
Matthew
I've often wondered what was meant by Matthew 5:48 - "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Read alone, it suggests that we need to attain perfection, not having any sin. Read in context, "perfect" seems to suggest something a little more attainable (see the commentaries at http://bible.cc/matthew/5-48.htm). Jesus was just talking about loving our enemies, not just our neighbours. Just as God loves all people, and acts with a certain wholeness and consistency, so we must also be whole, complete, and consistent in our attitude, mirroring that of God the Father as represented through Jesus.
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