"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth." (II Timothy 2:15)
When we turn our life over to Jesus, one of the next steps is to discover our Lord God and Saviour's intent for our life journey. We can know this by taking time each day to read the scriptures. In so doing, not only will we become stronger in our faith, but likewise, we will be edified. We will become equipped according to the power that the Lord has given us. Therefore, as Paul writes, "Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with you." (II Corinthians 13:11)
When we turn our life over to Jesus, one of the next steps is to discover our Lord God and Saviour's intent for our life journey. We can know this by taking time each day to read the scriptures. In so doing, not only will we become stronger in our faith, but likewise, we will be edified. We will become equipped according to the power that the Lord has given us. Therefore, as Paul writes, "Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with you." (II Corinthians 13:11)
An example of how we should live can be found in Luke chapter ten. Therein, a certain lawyer stands and asks Jesus -- tempting Him with his questions -- "Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? " This is a question that is repeatedly asked in the New Testament. The same question is asked on the Day of Pentecost when 3,000 souls were added, according to Acts chapter two.
But in this situation, a lawyer is asking the question. So Jesus responded saying, "What is written in the law? How readest thou?" In other words, what does the lawyer believe is the correct way to live in order to gain eternal life? The lawyer repeated to Jesus the two commandments intended for this time -- the same two commandments which Jesus had previously shared with the crowds that followed Him. That is:
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength and with thy entire mind; and thy neighbour as thyself." In John 13:34-35, Jesus said, "A new commandment I give unto you -- that you love one another as I have loved you -- that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples -- if you have love one to another."
Jesus said, "Thou hast answered right. This
do, and thou shalt live.” But the lawyer wasn't satisfied. Instead,
determined to justify himself, the lawyer asked Jesus, "Who is my
neighbour?"
And Jesus answering shared a parable known as The Good Samaritan with the lawyer. Jesus said, "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed him, leaving him half dead." And by chance, there came down a certain priest. When he saw the man, he passed by on the other side of the road. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him and passed by on the other side.
But then came along a certain Samaritan as he journeyed. He came to where the man was; and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. Indeed, the Samaritan went to him and bound up his wounds pouring in oil and wine and set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence and gave them to the host and said unto him, "Take care of him and whatsoever thou spends more, when I come again I will repay thee."
Jesus then asked the lawyer, "Which now of these three thinks thou was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?" The lawyer responded, saying, "He that showed mercy on him." Jesus said, "Go and do thou likewise."
In a broader context, the message within the parable is two-fold. First, we are given direction into how our hearts should be sensitive to others within society. However, perhaps more importantly, this parable is revealing to each and every one of us just how much our heavenly Father loved us from the beginning. How this same God who holds the universe in the palm of His hand knew that we could not keep the Law and commandments. And thus. as a consequence He -- God Himself -- willingly became flesh so that He could become our salvation.
That, at the end of the day, it is because of His love and mercy, that there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-39)
"Now to Him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began -- but is now made manifest and by the scriptures of the prophets according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all the nations for the obedience of faith. To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever, Amen." (Romans 16:25-27) Stand in the offering plate.
And Jesus answering shared a parable known as The Good Samaritan with the lawyer. Jesus said, "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed him, leaving him half dead." And by chance, there came down a certain priest. When he saw the man, he passed by on the other side of the road. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him and passed by on the other side.
But then came along a certain Samaritan as he journeyed. He came to where the man was; and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. Indeed, the Samaritan went to him and bound up his wounds pouring in oil and wine and set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence and gave them to the host and said unto him, "Take care of him and whatsoever thou spends more, when I come again I will repay thee."
Jesus then asked the lawyer, "Which now of these three thinks thou was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?" The lawyer responded, saying, "He that showed mercy on him." Jesus said, "Go and do thou likewise."
In a broader context, the message within the parable is two-fold. First, we are given direction into how our hearts should be sensitive to others within society. However, perhaps more importantly, this parable is revealing to each and every one of us just how much our heavenly Father loved us from the beginning. How this same God who holds the universe in the palm of His hand knew that we could not keep the Law and commandments. And thus. as a consequence He -- God Himself -- willingly became flesh so that He could become our salvation.
That, at the end of the day, it is because of His love and mercy, that there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-39)
"Now to Him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began -- but is now made manifest and by the scriptures of the prophets according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all the nations for the obedience of faith. To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever, Amen." (Romans 16:25-27) Stand in the offering plate.
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