Mark 7:9 nearly knocked me out of my chair this afternoon. I am working through the last stages of my overview of Mark, means I am charting the book by paragraphs. Mark 7:1 – 13 has been a touchstone for me for years. Jesus is quoting Isaiah 29:13 and then applying it to the practices of the Pharisees.
Verse 9 stopped me this afternoon. It made me wonder what commandment I am setting aside in order to keep my traditions. Or what part of God’s Word am I ignoring so that I can do what I want to do.
I do that.
Particularly with those with whom I have struggled. Christ says in Matthew 5:44 that we are to love our enemies, and pray for those who persecute us. I have a list. They say that friends come and go but enemies accumulate. Christ says we are to love them and pray for them. I have the list. I do not pray much for them. I would much rather nurse the bad feelings for them.
Our culture, tradition, is that we are not to get mad but get even. Most of us have bought into that at some degree. Not the way of the Savior.
I need to change that behavior.
I do that.
Particularly with those with whom I have struggled. Christ says in Matthew 5:44 that we are to love our enemies, and pray for those who persecute us. I have a list. They say that friends come and go but enemies accumulate. Christ says we are to love them and pray for them. I have the list. I do not pray much for them. I would much rather nurse the bad feelings for them.
Our culture, tradition, is that we are not to get mad but get even. Most of us have bought into that at some degree. Not the way of the Savior.
I need to change that behavior.
The Church is created and the Holy Sacrament are present with Lord Jesus as High Priest to help man become the Likeness of God or being Holy. Lord Jesus is informing Christians in (Luke 22:29) describes the “status” or "rightful place” if you like that all Christians will have on the side of our Lord Jesus Christ for all eternity
ReplyDelete"AS AN REWARD OF YOUR DEDICATION TO ME, I PROMISE YOU A KINGDOM UPON THE AUTHORITY THAT I HAVE BY THE VIRTUE THAT MY FATHER ALSO GAVE A KINGDOM TO ME". How can someone have a Kingdom like He has a kingdom with hatred in their hearts and in their minds on others out there? The answer is 44 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you....however man can not possibly do this on his own because hatred is an illness of the heart that only Lord Jesus can cure through His Holy Sacraments.
[Matthew 15-19] “FOR OUT OF THE HEART PROCEED EVIL THOUGHTS MURDERS ADULTERIES FORNICATIONS THEFTS FALSE WITNESS BLASPHEMIES” Further more vainglory, ego, envy, hatred, lustiness stinginess and greed are equally strong passions that siege the heart (self will) and force the mind (body) in the un natural act of sin.