What would this look like in my life?
John 5:1-17 The paralytic Bethsaida
Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.
Sinful to heal on the Sabbath! Dreadful! But what practices do we have in our christian culture that is exactly like this!
Also, I believe Jesus is referencing the fact that sin does bring on punishment in this life and the next. However, illness, disease, and "bad things" are not just caused by sin. Job is a testament to that. However, we should Fear the Lord and his will.
John 8:1-11 Adulterous Woman
I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.
Krystle and I just talked about an interesting paradox in our lives. We judge those in our own culture that take advantage of health systems. One of the reasosn health insurance is so high because of the amount of people taking advantage of emergency care and other services; as a nurse in a children's emergency room Krystle saw this first hand. It's hard not to judge these people; some knowing in their hearts they take advantage of the healthcare, others being ignorant, some being lazy, but all needing our help-I mean we have Jesus!
However, we are quick to head to other countries to offer similiar services to people and we do not judge them but our hearts break for them. I'm quick to offer my assistance to the poor outside my country but those within my country get my judgment! I have some ideas about how I want to change this! I'm excited to return to the states to try them out!
Luke 5:20 Paralytic
Friend, your sins are forgiven you.
This was a test-Do you believe Jesus is God? Calling out the Pharisees and the scribes for their pride and worship of power. They didn't know what to believe. How could you not give praise to God for a man being healed of a disease? Especially the faith of the men that dropped him down through a roof in order to get him to Jesus.
Luke 19:1-27
And Jesus said to him, today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Zaccheus was a chief tax collector. the reality is he was rich, despised by the people, a perfect example of the world's view of logic-get what you can at whatever cost! Makes worldly-sense, work hard, store up money/food/protection/etc. But that is not our true calling. For we are not of this world, and this world's logic is not ours. We are sons of Abraham and our lives belong to the Lord. What has he entrusted you with? And are you the faithful or the unfaithful servants expressed in this passage?
Behold the Power of Jesus! Of redemption and grace!
4 comments:
Is it really people taking advantage of the system or us allowing it to happen? Should our system be set up so that people in charge can't be held accountable? Is it really judging? These people are not thankful! They make no attempts at taking care of themselves! If anything we should mad at ourselves for not hold these people accountable.
I'm confused why u call it a "paradox in our lives". What makes it a paradox? I think health care is so expensive because people are not held responsible for their actions as they relate to health. Why is a tobacco company sued for someones choice to smoke? If the company is misrepresenting there product then they deserved to be sued. Last I checked they are now completely honest. Why are they made look like the bad guy? I could probably give u examples all day. Here's another one: Seat belt laws (protecting people from themselves?)
Why can people go on social security disability and have no requirements/rules that tell them what they can and can not do? People can go on that and have never paid into social security. Why are they able to receive money without taking a drug test? If you are receiving a "hand-out" then you give up some rights on what you can do with your life. Would you give money to some you know is going to go buy crack cocaine? What if i told you that that person would one day go and murder another woman while on a crack high? I use this example because a woman in my area known to be a crackhead is on Disability. It just so happen that while on a crack high she killed someone. What do I tell the victim's 17 year old daughter who witnessed it? Do I apology? Can the current program be changed? What about acchs insurance? what about section 8 housing? what about the projects? what about crime free multi-housing? welfare? food stamps?
Does the saying about fishing have any meaning here? Teach a man to fish instead of giving him fish?
You describe Krystle's ER experience and then you say that they need Jesus? When do we draw the line on how much to give? If i am suppose to give to them, then who will care for my wife and daughter? Are we to be slaves to those who are without (those who do not try)? "faith of the fallen"
When you say "However, we are quick to head to other countries to offer similiar services to people and we do not judge them but our hearts break for them." Have you ever met someone in those countries who are not doing everything possible to make it? My experience while on mission trips helping people is that those people have done everything they can and have not given up but still need help or need something they can not do for themselves.
Offering assistance to someone who is already doing everything they can to be successful is different then those who choose to be poor in our country. Those who need our help in USA are usually hard to find and they don't ask for help. Most of the homeless and those you would call poor CHOOSE to be there. If anyone disagrees, then I will show you some examples from any area of Arizona.
I am not perfect and I do not know everything. These are simple my first thoughts on the issue.
From my experience, I would say that poor/rich is a mind set and broke/wealthy is a condition. Currently I am broke. My debt is large enough to control the things I do (can't visit my brother in costa rica). But it is a condition, that will change but I have been rich for as long as I can remember and will be so for the rest of my life. Many people do not understand the difference and that's why there family history/legacy doesn't change.
You say you have ideas to change this, what are they?
It is both. A system is not effective that does not efficiently hold people accountable or keep accurate record or account of spending. We should be mad at ourselves if this is our purpose on earth, but is that our purpose? Creating an efficient government, or preaching Christ crucified?
My point is, are thesee people accountable to you and me or God? If us, then yes we should work diligently to see that these people pay for there sins now. If God, then who are we to tell Him when to punish or hold them accountable. We all have to go before the throne of God. James 4:11-12 Specifically this statement catches my eye: There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?
The paradox is my first reaction to the poor and destitute in our country is judgment, hatred, and anger but my first reaction to the poor and destitute in another country is to serve, help, and love.
Your example of the tobacco company does not relate to what I’m getting at. I talking about my heart of judgment instead of the love of Christ, which is love regardless if one deserves it. That’s the point of the love of Christ, there is nothing any of us can do to earn it. It was freely given by Jesus, and I want to change my heart so I give it freely too.
Eternal or earthly logic. You propose solid truth about evil that is prevalent in this world and in our government. You are also referring to things that God has allowed to happen. Romans 13 For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. I do not know why God allowed the victim’s 17 year old daughter to be killed. The situation is describe is horrible (which I pray never happens to me or anyone I know), and in certain positions of authority someone could and should do something about it. Some of the other program you refer to, I don’t know anything about but I’m sure I would agree with you that they are not working effectively.
Lets definitely make a better country, world, etc, but I do not believe it should be at the cost or replace preaching Christ crucified.
Isn’t the people that take advantage of these systems the very people Christ would reach out to in our world if He were here today?
Do we draw the line on how much we should give to others. Show me how the logic and truth of “faith of the fallen” relate to Christ’s teaching? I am trying to find parallels myself because I agree with you, but I have been unable to find them. Jesus said sell all you have, give the money to the poor, and follow me. That doesn’t mean let people live a lie, but neither does it mean condemn them.
The original posts aim was an examination of my heart and if Jesus Christ stood in front of me and said Sin no more, what sin is prevalent in me? And when I act on my doubt of God’s sovereignty do I sin? Specifically for me, I judge others frequently. Does that mean I don’t believe He will hold them accountable in Heaven? Am I sinning?
The story about the 17year old was about her mom dying not her. The 17 year old was witness/daughter and was not harmed.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
21Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22Avoid every kind of evil.
These verses are part of Paul's final instructions
Now verse 21 says test everything and hold on to the good. 22 then says to avoid every kind of evil. Does that mean if we see an armed robbery then we go the other way? If we see a rape happening then we go the other way? I know these are dramatic examples.
2 Thessalonians 3:10
10For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."
What do you think that means?
I do not think that the people who take advantage of our system are the people that God wants us to help.
You ask what is our purpose "Creating an efficient government, or preaching Christ crucified?"
I think that this issue has also been talked about in our tax posts.
I think that creating an efficient government is part our duty to obeying God's commands.
I don't have enough time to show you verses at this time but I will try later.
I did quote Titus and 1 Peter in the tax, let me know if you think it applies.
I think that 2 Thess verse is legit. I which we applied that in our government, schools, jobs, etc.
We should pursue making that law as well as making a structured government in the way we see fit, but not be surprised when others resist it or have other ideas. Granted, I think all politicians are crooks-but some Dems and Reps truly think that they are doing what's "right" or "just" and are often on opposite sides of the same bill.
Reminds me of something dad (Lyle Book) said about the church using his construction license for building the church. He said they made multiple decisions that he would not have, but that he gave his input and then submitted to the board's decision. He said he did not complain or moan about the wrong decisions or consequences of them.
He said it was because of the person he wanted to be. Didn't want his character to be corrupted by others decisions. But that he wanted to be a certain type of person-that person that lives quietly, flees from evil, etc. This meant supporting decisions that he felt was not best. This might be more related to supporting decisions which aren't best, as compared to decisions which aren't right/just.
Job 1:1 NASB "turning away from evil". i think this is another reference to that idea of fleeing evil too.. I think it's like the be in the world but not of the world idea (John 17). I really want to know more about what that really means!
What do you mean by "the people that God wants us to help"? You mean people that do evil we should turn away from and not help. People who knowingly take advantage of assistance programs or systems are evil or sin (James 4:17).
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