Bible League: Living His Word But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.— Isaiah 53:5 ESV Love is often twisted into a tolerance of sin in today’s culture. This is why Christians can easily be persecuted for being witness to the Truth of God’s Word. When we’re persecuted for our faith in Jesus, we must remember that God is true love (1 John 4:8). If God’s own Word states that, “love does not rejoice in evil, but rejoices with the truth,” He will ask us to take a stand for Truth that goes against our culture’s sugary definition of love. This loose notion is often that “love is love,” or that love tolerates sin. When we’re tempted to water down the Gospel under the guise of “love”—out of fear that we’ll be chastised by others—we must remember that the rebuke, wrath, and chastisement we may be afraid of was already laid upon Christ at the cross. Since He declared that, “It is finished,” we no longer need to accept the scorn of people (John 19:30). Today’s verse backs this up with: “… upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace.” God’s peace will defend you when you get chastised for your faith. How? The Word implanted will remind you that chastisement was off-loaded on Christ so you can have peace knowing that, in being a faithful witness to the SUM of His Word, YES, you are loving others (Psalm 119:160)! This is the case, contrary to popular opinion. Christ has already borne chastisement, so you can have peace that Jesus will back you when you simply utter His whole Truth. “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). In plain-speak, the Lord is the true Prophet behind your mouthpiece! Don’t worry about forming Jesus into Someone who is “relevant” by succumbing to the idea that love is all-tolerant. Let King Jesus do “the heavy lifting” by the power of the Holy Spirit in speaking forth what may appear to you to be less tolerant, or “harsh,” Scriptures. In doing so, you’ll keep the Lord in His rightful place as the drawer of hearts (John 6:44). Jesus will be the only Prophet, the true ace behind your mouthpiece, since God is love, and His Word also states that, “Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world, but to save the world” (John 3:17). Therefore, your obedience in speaking the sum of His Word will be received in context of His loving character. In the end, it will offer salvation to the hearer. Don’t tamper with timeless Truth! For the love-is-tolerant crowd need an encounter with Christians who have the backbone of Christ, bearing His true and life-altering love! By Jenny Laux, Bible League International contributor, Wisconsin U.S. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingNumbers 14, 15 Numbers 14 -- The People Rebel; Moses Pleads; Pardon and Rebuke NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Numbers 15 -- More Offerings; Sabbath-Breaker Stoned; Tassels on Garments NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Mark 6:1-32 Mark 6 -- Jesus at Nazareth; Sending out the Twelve; John Beheaded; Jesus Feeds Five Thousand, Walks on Water, Heals NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion For that is what God is like.He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die. Insight We often pray for God's guidance as we struggle with decisions. What we need is both guidance and a guide—a map that gives us landmarks and directions as well as a constant companion who has an intimate knowledge of the way and will make sure we interpret the map correctly. The Bible will be such a map, and the Holy Spirit will be the constant companion and guide. Challenge As you make your way through life, use both the map and your Guide. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Matthew 3:7 The wrath to come.It is pleasant to pass over a country after a storm has spent itself; to smell the freshness of the herbs after the rain has passed away, and to note the drops while they glisten like purest diamonds in the sunlight. That is the position of a Christian. He is going through a land where the storm has spent itself upon his Saviour's head, and if there be a few drops of sorrow falling, they distil from clouds of mercy, and Jesus cheers him by the assurance that they are not for his destruction. But how terrible is it to witness the approach of a tempest: to note the forewarnings of the storm; to mark the birds of heaven as they droop their wings; to see the cattle as they lay their heads low in terror; to discern the face of the sky as it groweth black, and look to the sun which shineth not, and the heavens which are angry and frowning! How terrible to await the dread advance of a hurricane--such as occurs, sometimes, in the tropics--to wait in terrible apprehension till the wind shall rush forth in fury, tearing up trees from their roots, forcing rocks from their pedestals, and hurling down all the dwelling-places of man! And yet, sinner, this is your present position. No hot drops have as yet fallen, but a shower of fire is coming. No terrible winds howl around you, but God's tempest is gathering its dread artillery. As yet the water-floods are dammed up by mercy, but the flood-gates shall soon be opened: the thunderbolts of God are yet in his storehouse, but lo! the tempest hastens, and how awful shall that moment be when God, robed in vengeance, shall march forth in fury! Where, where, where, O sinner, wilt thou hide thy head, or whither wilt thou flee? O that the hand of mercy may now lead you to Christ! He is freely set before you in the gospel: his riven side is the rock of shelter. Thou knowest thy need of him; believe in him, cast thyself upon him, and then the fury shall be overpast forever. Daily Light on the Daily Path James 4:7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.Isaiah 59:19 So they will fear the name of the LORD from the west And His glory from the rising of the sun, For He will come like a rushing stream Which the wind of the LORD drives. Matthew 4:10,11 Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" • Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him. Ephesians 6:10,11 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. • Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 5:11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 2 Corinthians 2:11 so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes. 1 Peter 5:8,9 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. • But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith. Romans 8:33 Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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