As you read through this week's passages, don't limit your "enemies" to those who directly or openly oppose you. Consider also how you treat those who merely stand in your way when it comes to getting what you want, even what you want is not in your best interest. How we treat others reveals our relationship with God, and whether or not we are at peace with Him.
In last week's passage Peter was inspired by God to confess Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Just a few verses later, Peter is being rebuked by Jesus for being a stumbling block who had set his mind not on God's interests, but man's. Continuing on into our passage for this week, Jesus sought to remind Peter and the other disciples of this basic truth: our interests and Christ's interests necessarily diverge, and it is not until we conform our interests to His that we can walk in obedience. To do that, however, we must lay down control of our own lives, take up the cross, and follow Jesus. How has that been true in your life?
"If possible, so far as it depends on you..." Sometimes we can live peaceably with those who oppose us (or those we oppose). Sometimes we can't. There are times when we can't be at peace with the world around us, because in order to do so we would have to stand in opposition to God's Word and will. There are times when the peace we offer is refused. We may wish to live in peace, but others may not share that interest. In what areas of your life have you found it difficult to live peaceably with all, and why? Providing the reason lies beyond your power to control, you may leave it to God, knowing that you have done all you can in obedience to Him.
Moses, Peter and Paul all sought vengeance on God's behalf, but in every case it misfired or, worse, was misplaced. What is it about vengeance that makes it so difficult for us to carry out? The answer lies in part, at least, with our limited knowledge. Moses tried to avenge the cruelty of the Egyptians, but he did so in the wrong way and at the wrong time. Peter sought to protect his Lord, but instead placed himself at odds with the Lord's will and purpose. Paul (Saul) was zealous for the Lord, but at the expense of the Lord's people, because he did not fully understand who those people were. Have you ever acted on limited knowledge, only to find that your actions were misdirected? That is something to consider when we entertain thoughts of vengeance.
One way of connecting these Scriptures: Exodus 3:9-15 Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c: Matthew 16:24-27 Romans 12:14-21
God released His people from bondage in Egypt, through His reluctant servant Moses, and they multiplied greatly there and in the Promised Land, a land of blessings and rewards. (Exodus 3 and Psalm 105)
God has released us from the bondage of sin through a Willing Savior, Jesus, and He is multiplying us greatly. So now Jesus asks us to follow His example of self-sacrifice, even to a Cross, often through difficult works, as we await His return and rewards. (Matthew 16 and Romans 12)
As you read through this week's passages, don't limit your "enemies" to those who directly or openly oppose you. Consider also how you treat those who merely stand in your way when it comes to getting what you want, even what you want is not in your best interest. How we treat others reveals our relationship with God, and whether or not we are at peace with Him.
ReplyDeleteIn last week's passage Peter was inspired by God to confess Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Just a few verses later, Peter is being rebuked by Jesus for being a stumbling block who had set his mind not on God's interests, but man's. Continuing on into our passage for this week, Jesus sought to remind Peter and the other disciples of this basic truth: our interests and Christ's interests necessarily diverge, and it is not until we conform our interests to His that we can walk in obedience. To do that, however, we must lay down control of our own lives, take up the cross, and follow Jesus. How has that been true in your life?
ReplyDelete"If possible, so far as it depends on you..." Sometimes we can live peaceably with those who oppose us (or those we oppose). Sometimes we can't. There are times when we can't be at peace with the world around us, because in order to do so we would have to stand in opposition to God's Word and will. There are times when the peace we offer is refused. We may wish to live in peace, but others may not share that interest. In what areas of your life have you found it difficult to live peaceably with all, and why? Providing the reason lies beyond your power to control, you may leave it to God, knowing that you have done all you can in obedience to Him.
ReplyDeleteMoses, Peter and Paul all sought vengeance on God's behalf, but in every case it misfired or, worse, was misplaced. What is it about vengeance that makes it so difficult for us to carry out? The answer lies in part, at least, with our limited knowledge. Moses tried to avenge the cruelty of the Egyptians, but he did so in the wrong way and at the wrong time. Peter sought to protect his Lord, but instead placed himself at odds with the Lord's will and purpose. Paul (Saul) was zealous for the Lord, but at the expense of the Lord's people, because he did not fully understand who those people were. Have you ever acted on limited knowledge, only to find that your actions were misdirected? That is something to consider when we entertain thoughts of vengeance.
ReplyDeleteFrom Dr. Vic
ReplyDeleteAugust 28, 2014
One way of connecting these Scriptures: Exodus 3:9-15 Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c: Matthew 16:24-27 Romans 12:14-21
God released His people from bondage in Egypt, through His reluctant servant Moses, and they multiplied greatly there and in the Promised Land, a land of blessings and rewards. (Exodus 3 and Psalm 105)
God has released us from the bondage of sin through a Willing Savior, Jesus, and He is multiplying us greatly. So now Jesus asks us to follow His example of self-sacrifice, even to a Cross, often through difficult works, as we await His return and rewards. (Matthew 16 and Romans 12)