Answers for Today, January 30, 2012
Righteous Intolerance
Unequal weights are an abomination to the LORD,
and false scales are not good.
A man’s steps are from the LORD;
how then can man understand his way?
It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,”
and to reflect only after making vows.
A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the wheel over them.
The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD,
searching all his innermost parts.
Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king,
and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.
Blows that wound cleanse away evil;
strokes make clean the innermost parts.
Proverbs 20:23-28,30
God is very intolerant—when it comes to evil. What are some things which concern God? Unfairness. Rashness, particularly in sacred vows. Wickedness.
In the early days of our nation’s history, our standards usually mimicked biblical standards, whether in laws or societal expectations. Evil was present, of course, but regarded as evil, not good. This has changed. In today’s scramble for moral high ground in our society, some busily re-label as “good” what the Bible consistently pronounces “evil.” Tolerance is lifted up as the supreme virtue, trumping all others. A country founded on godly principles now is left with popular opinion or a judge to provide a basis for right and wrong. Thus, “right” is nothing more than the prevailing opinion of the majority or a judge. “Wrong” is calling anything evil, or trying to live by God’s standards, instead of the standards currently in vogue in popular culture.
Wickedness of all kinds is harbored by many leaders, as well as practiced by them. Instead of stamping out evil, those in authority often protect it and even enshrine it, calling it good! Not good. God sees it differently. So should we. We desperately need to re-adopt God’s standards as our own! We can either be the people who tolerate wickedness—in ourselves and in those under our authority—or we can be the people who follow God’s righteousness, applying it to each area of our lives. If we follow Him, His standard should be ours as well.
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: Followers of God follow His standards of righteousness.
Answers for Today, January 31, 2012
The Messiah’s Mission–and Ours
The Spirit of the LORD GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.
They shall build up the ancient ruins;
they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations.
Isaiah 61:1-4
This is all about Jesus. He even told the folks at Nazareth it was about Him, when He read from this passage in His hometown synagogue (Luke 4:16-21). Jesus of Nazareth is the perfect fulfillment of this prophecy.
But this passage is not just about Jesus; it’s about us, too. When we choose to follow Him, His mission becomes our mission, too (thus, The Great Commission).
What’s our mission? To bring good news to the poor. To bind up the brokenhearted. To proclaim liberty to the captives. To proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God. To bring comfort and gladness to all who mourn. To build up the ancient ruins, repair the ruined cities.
The promise if we apply ourselves to these things: You shall be called priests of the LORD; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God (Isa 61:6).
We follow the Messiah. We are priests of His, with a great mission. Make that a Great Commission.
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: The Messiah’s mission is our mission.
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