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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Friday, 21 July 2023:
Jeremiah 12:1-3 – Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? You plant them, and they take root; they grow and produce fruit; you are near in their mouth and far from their heart. But you, O Lord, know me; you see me, and test my heart toward you. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and set them apart for the day of slaughter.
God may allow the wicked to prosper for a time, which may cause you to question Him, even complain. He understands you don’t understand. Go to Him in prayer, and He will guide you into greater understanding and into closer relationship with Him.
Jeremiah 12:5 — And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?
If you won’t trust and obey God when things are relatively easy, you certainly won’t trust and obey God when things are really hard. God uses hard times to prepare His minister for harder times.
Jeremiah 12:6 – For even your brothers and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; they are in full cry after you; do not believe them, though they speak friendly words to you.
God can show you who to trust and who not to trust.
Jeremiah 12:10 — Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard; they have trampled down my portion.
Ungodly leaders, whether they claim to be religious or not, can lead a whole nation astray.
Jeremiah 12:11 — The whole land is made desolate, but no man lays it to heart.
God’s unchanging word testifies against ungodly leaders and against ungodly society, but people choose to ignore the truth of God.
Jeremiah 12:16, 17 — And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, ‘As the Lord lives,’ even as they taught my people to swear by Baal, then they shall be built up in the midst of my people. But if any nation will not listen, then I will utterly pluck it up and destroy it, declares the Lord.
God expects obedience from all people.
We are engaged in a global competition of ideas and beliefs. In this battle, who is most influencing who? God intends for His people, as His ambassadors to foreign lands, to teach His enemies His ways and to turn their hearts towards Him. He intends for us to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded.” (Matthew 28:18, 19) This is our primary purpose on earth – as servants of Christ, we do not pursue our own desires but only the will of our Master, “no longer for human passions but for the will of God.” (1 Peter 4:2). As a very visible example to the world, we are to have NOTHING to do with sin, displaying grace, and speaking only godly words. All of our words and deeds should glorify God (not ourselves) and draw people to Him (1 Peter 4:7-11) From a position of holiness, as “priests,” we proclaim the Gospel that sinners might turn to Jesus and be saved – “For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.” (1 Peter 4:6) However, if God’s people become influenced by the world, they become “spoiled [and] good for nothing.” (Jeremiah 13:7) If God’s people, who bear the name, ‘Christian,’ make light of the sin from which Christ suffered the cross to save us, then they must be punished. (Jeremiah 13:15-27) For the sake of His glory, God will very visibly punish His adulterous people (who partner with the world) “with tears because the Lord’s flock has been taken captive.” (Jeremiah 13:17) “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” (Matthew 5:13)
- Hebrews 10:26-36 — For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
- 1 Peter 4:17-19 — For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Thessalonians 3:6, 8-10, 12, 14, 15 – Keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness…. with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat…. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living…. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
Today’s readings are instructive on how to deal with others who aren’t behaving as they should. In this particular case, the issue is idleness, people not doing their fair share. How many arguments and divisions are caused by perceptions of inequity and inequality? Unfortunately though, we don’t seem to grow out of this problem. In fact inequality, or perceptions thereof, divide the nation and cause wars between nations.
Paul’s approach was to set a higher example by doing more than what was fair, always going the extra mile regardless of what others did. He wasn’t focused on his rights (v.9) but rather on displaying grace (giving others what they didn’t deserve) as a testimony to the Gospel. Yet, from his irreproachable position, as he modelled what right looks like, he held others accountable in a positive, encouraging way, pointing the Jesus’ ultimate example – “We command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul said, that when people will not listen, we should “have nothing to do with them,” but that doesn’t mean treating them with disdain and writing them off. The intent and hope is always reconciliation – “Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.” Paul doesn’t respond in kind (by not working too), he responds by example, loving warning others in love.
Paul’s example is contrary to how we often respond to others who aren’t doing their fare share. Here are some things Paul didn’t do:
- Work less because others weren’t pulling their weight.
- Criticize and ridicule others for not behaving as they should.
- Resentfully remain quiet while people take advantage of others.
- Boldly stand up for his personal rights rather than using the opportunity to demonstrate grace and proclaim the Gospel.
- Write others off in contempt.
- Close the door to forgiveness and reconciliation.
How do you deal with people who are unfair? Consider Paul’s example the words of Jesus: “And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” (Matthew 5:41)
- Luke 6:33-36 — And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 21 July 2023: Today, consider how you manage conflict with others. When you are wronged, or when others are wronged, use the opportunity to display the love of Christ and proclaim the Gospel.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 