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Doubt Doesn’t Disqualify

August 23, 2011 by Fritz

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. Jesus came near and spoke to them, “I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples — Matthew 28:16-18 (Common English Bible)

The eleven (11) remaining disciples (original twelve less Judas) met the risen Lord and received what has been called “the Great Commission”, but between the meeting and the sending are three (3) little words, but some doubted”.

Actually, in its original language there is only one (1) Greek word there not three (3). It literally means to be double minded, unsure, and it refers to the whole group not just some. “They doubted” is more accurate.

Why is that significant? It shows that Jesus gave the Great Commission to unsure double-minded apostles who had to grow into their faith just like everyone else. Doubt didn’t disqualify them and it doesn’t disqualify us.

Think about that a moment …

The apostle Peter writing to ordinary believers put it this way,

“I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. — 2nd Peter 1:1 (New Living Translation)

— fritz@langgang.com

Posted in Doubt, Faith | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

Missing Factor Of Fairness

August 22, 2011 by Fritz

The son said, ‘Look how many years I’ve stayed here serving you, never giving you one moment of grief, but have you ever thrown a party for me and my friends? Then this son of yours who has thrown away your money on whores shows up and you go all out with a feast!’ His father said, ‘Son, you don’t understand.”
— Luke 15:29-31 (Message Bible)

Children have a keen sense of fairness. What parent of more than one child hasn’t heard “You’re not being fair!”

Jesus tells the famous parable of “The Prodigal Son” — a young man who rejected his family, took his inheritance early, and went to live the “good life!”. Life happened and it wasn’t good, he realized the real “good life” was back home. To his and his brother’s surprise the father not only took him back but fully restored him to the family giving the ring, robe, and shoes.

It didn’t seem fair to either. Neither child understood the most important factor of true fairness — LOVE. Learning selfless LOVE enables receiving undeserved forgiveness AND it enables rejoicing, without keeping score, when others receive.

Sound bite: “Love is the missing factor of human fairness.”
Prayer: “Jesus, put the love of God in both my heart and mind so I can understand your actions, forgiveness, and grace. Amen”

— fritz@langgang.com

Posted in Bitterness, Compassion, Complaining, Conflict, Love, Parables | Tagged | Leave a Comment »

Why Dietary Laws in Old Testament but Not The New?

August 21, 2011 by Fritz

The Old Testament had strict dietary laws generally based on inherent animal characterises — fish with fins and scales, “clean”, fins without scales, “unclean”. Animals chewing the “cud” and parting the hoof were ok to eat but those having one without the other, no good!

It all seems so arbitrary and many have tried to explain it by saying there are, perhaps, special heath benefits. But the Bible indicates why — and it had nothing to do with health.

“And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nations which I cast out before you … I am the LORD your God, who has separated you from other people … Ye shall therefore put a difference between clean beasts and unclean” — Leviticus 20:23-25

The “therefore” of this verse specifically links dietary law to the kinds of people God was replacing.

Old Testament dietary law was an object lesson teaching there were “clean” and “unclean” people based on their inherent actions.

In the New Testament God, again, links dietary laws with people groups, but with a twist — something happened with the advent of Christ!

Follow a telling story from the biblical book of Acts:

The apostle, Peter, has a vision of unclean animals on a sheet and is commanded to eat. He refuses, as any good Jew would, because they were “unclean”. Then the vision’s voice says,

“What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” — Acts 10:15

Just then three (3) gentiles show up at the door wanting to hear about Jesus, and a light goes on in Peter’s head!

I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” — Acts 10:34-35

Before Christ, people rarely changed — they were forever as they were born. Not so in Christ! Jesus is in the life changing business! The symbolical dietary law has been superseded by Christ who changes the human heart making the unclean forgiven and holy! As the Apostle Paul wrote to those who come to Christ from the world,

“[S]uch were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” — 1st Corinthians 6:11

— fritz@langgang.com

Posted in Character, Christ, Commandments, Conversion, Explanations, Prejudice, Righteousness | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

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