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A test…are you self righteous…do you have faith...

A test…are you self righteous…


And he spake also this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at nought (nothing):

…Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee (preacher), and the other a publican (government employee…politician).


The actions of the Pharisee…the preacher…

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus (this way) with himself, God,…I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners (those which require service through forcible or political means), unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican (a traitor to Jews…a roman employee).

(Listen to his resume)…I fast twice in the week; I give tithes (a tenth) of all that I get.


The actions of the Jewish publican…

…But the publican (a Jew which could only feed himself by being a roman government employee), standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying,

(The publican’s resume)…God, be thou merciful to me a sinner (traitor).

I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalts himself shall be humbled; but he that humbles himself shall be exalted.


Jesus teaching in the same setting of how a child should receive the Kingdom of God…

…And they were bringing unto him (Jesus) also their babes, that he (Jesus) should touch them: but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked (forbade) them. But Jesus called them unto him, saying,

…Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein...Luke 18:9-17.


Do you seek position with man or do you seek God’s service…

Are the self-righteous…thinking your past resume will get you into Heaven Or are you a sinner who needs to be taught how not to sin and is looking for forgiveness?


The self-righteous was thinking his works was all he needed…he was not seeking God or forgiveness but believed he had already won the entrance into Heaven…he was not asking God to meet his needs spiritually but was “reminding” God how much he sacrificed for God’s service. Whereas the publican…knew he needed God or else he would not make it…notice the text said…the Pharisee prayed with himself…he was so full of self, God would not entertain his prayer…the publican was just the opposite he came to the temple to seek God and to learn better.


Jesus said to his disciples in the same setting to receive the kingdom of God like a child…going daddy bless me I know not what is good for me…this was the intentions of the parents…humble opinion…like saying please bless them.


Do you seek God like a child…looking to God to learn and be forgiven…yes or no?


Prayer

Father please bless us so we not offend You in word or deed…in Jesus of Nazareth’s name amen.


Pause for Prayer and Devotional a Wellsaid Christian Devotional about the teachings of Jesus…


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You must forsake evil or repent to live in the eternal heaven…

You must forsake evil or repent to live in the eternal heaven…

 

For godly grief (sorrow) produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death...2 Corinthians 7:10.

Repentance starts in the mind…as in you hear of knowledge that what you have done is wrong or evil. Then this knowledge causes you to consider wrong and right in your heart…then you decided if you change your behavior to fit the knowledge revealed unto you…it involves a change of mind…hearing new knowledge or facts…which results in a change of heart…the desire to be more moral like God…then a change in direction or living according to the decision made to more like God or to be more moral. Some people are sorry they got caught stealing because they will suffer the consequences…others are sorry they stole and did not mean to do wrong. Some change and rejoice because the new knowledge…the new morals…the new direction will lead to salvation in eternal Heaven…others are sorry it does not meet social standards.

 

What does repentance mean…

When a person repents of a telling a lie…it means you will never lie again. When a person repents of stealing it means they will never steal again. When a person repents of murdering it means they will never murder again. When a person repents of coveting it means they will not want other people’s blessings. When a person repents of adultery…means they will never have sex outside of marriage again.


God requires repentance according to His moral standard of the Ten Commandments…which can be summed up in terms of treating our neighbor as ourself…you do not like your money to be stolen so do not steal…you do not like to be lied to so do not lie…you do not like to be killed…so do not murder…you do not want people eyeing your blessings…so do not covet another’s blessings…the ten commandments was the minimum standard of the Jew…and thus Jesus being from the tribe of Judah to be called sinless…if One soul could keep them without fault and Jesus the Christ of Nazareth did never break one of these Ten Commandments…and was and is sinless.

 

The Ten Commandments…

1.      Thou shalt have no other gods before Me Exo 20:3

2.      Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image Exo 20:4-6  

3.      Thou shalt not take the name of God in vain Exo 20:7  

4.      Honor thy father and thy mother Exo 20:12  

5.      Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Exo 20:8…John 4:20-26…1 Cor 16:1-2…the first day now.

6.      Thou shalt not kill. Exo 20:13  

7.      Thou shalt not commit adultery. Exo 20:14  

8.      Thou shalt not steal. Exo 20:15  

9.      Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Exo 20:16   

10.  Thou shalt not covet Exo 20:17  

 

Jesus required and told others to repent or they would die…

Now there were some present at that very season who told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And He answered and said unto them, Think ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they have suffered these things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them, think ye that they were offenders above all the men that dwell in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish...Luke 13:1-5.

 

You cannot willfully break one of the Ten Commandments and please God…you must forsake your behavior and conform to God’s standard…

For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries...Hebrews 10:26-27.

 

Listen to what Peter told those Jews He accused of killing Jesus…

Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made Him (Jesus) both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do (we murdered the Christ)?

…And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto Him...Acts 2:36-39.

 

We must change and be like our Father in Heaven…just like our dads here on earth teach us their commandments or ways of living. Our Heavenly Father…the Creator…the Great I am having a moral code which is the morals found in the Ten Commandments…Can you read the Ten Commandments and say I have never broken one of these…yes or no?

 

If you have broken one these then you need forgiveness from God…just like Peter told those who killed Jesus.

…And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto Him...Acts 2:36-39.

 

Jesus died having never broken any of the Commandments of God and laid down His sinless life so our Father in Heaven would forgive you and I of breaking His moral code or heart…Do you believe Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead so you and I could be forgiven…yes or no?

 

Are you like those who murder or crucified Jesus…and need forgiveness of stealing…lying…murdering…coveting…adultery… or any other commandments…yes or no?

 

If you do not repent…then you can find no forgiveness…listen

For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. A man that hath set at nought Moses' law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know Him that said, Vengeance belongs unto Me, I will recompense. And again, The Lord shall judge His people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God...Hebrews 10:26-31.

 

Prayer

Our Father in Heaven…please reveal and supply all our needs to conform to the morality of the Ten Commandments so we may develop a character like Yours and so our soul will prosper and we can be in health by loving our neighbor as ourself for You in Jesus of Nazareth’s name amen.

 

Pause for Prayer and Devotional a Wellsaid Christian Devotional about the teachings of Jesus…


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What is the Royal Law in Scripture?

What is the Royal Law in Scripture?

 

Howbeit if ye fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is become guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou dost not commit adultery, but kill (murder) thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as men that are to be judged by a law of liberty...James 2:8-12.

 

Jesus said as it is written…

And one of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, What commandment is the first of all? Jesus answered, The first is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God, the Lord is one: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. The second is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Of a truth, Teacher, thou hast well said that he is one; and there is none other but he: and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is much more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question...Mark 12:28-34.

 

Treat everyone like Jesus and be blessed…

Servants, be obedient unto them that according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not in the way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as unto the Lord, and not unto men: knowing that whatsoever good thing each one doeth, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, and forbear threatening: knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with him...Ephesians 6:5-9.

 

In Jesus life as a Jew…He said Love God first and your neighbor second…After His death burial and resurrection…the Holy Spirit inspired with the same Authority as Jesus in the book of James…to kept the royal law of love your neighbor as yourself. Then in Ephesians the Holy Spirit tells us if we treat everyone even a mean slave master as Jesus we will receive the same good we have judged. So treat everyone like Jesus as your neighbor and really the only difference between Jesus we read about and the Jesus which sits in the throne is distance and sight. So if you treat Jesus like Jesus, Him being God and others like Jesus you are fulfilling the royal law love your neighbor as yourself. So treat everyone like baby Jesus and ask what does baby Jesus need and how can I give it to Him?

 

Prayer

Father please forgive us of all our past judgements and help us to treat everyone like Jesus so we can fulfill the one true law love your neighbor as yourself and I know You are the best neighbor even though only distance is between us…IN Jesus of Nazareth’s name amen.

 

Pause for Prayer and Devotional a Wellsaid Christian Devotional about the teachings of Jesus… https://www.anopenbiblestudy.com/blog-by-ben-the-friend


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