And He said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. The Law and the Prophets were until John: since that time the Kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the Law to fail. (Luke 16:15-17)
Jesus directly rebuked the Pharisees who dismissed and disdained His parables and their application as pertaining to the Jews in general and the religious leaders of the Jews in particular. Jesus called out all those who justify themselves and promote their self-righteousness and reminded His listeners that God knows the hearts. The Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament, given to the Jews and preserved and complete with the coming of John the Baptist, will not pass away nor fail in any of its Precepts, Commands, and Judgments.
The Pharisees who taught traditions instead of God’s Law and yet did neither themselves, all the while justifying their behavior and positions as the religious leaders of Israel were incensed at the teachings of Jesus and the company He kept. Those who would not a lift a finger to help their neighbor not only did not understand the condemnation they were under from the Law but had made it of none effect by their teachings added to it. Their false sense of their own worthiness and religious approval was filthy rags when compared to God’s righteousness. The righteousness of the Law, which cannot save but is given for our example, should have pointed them to the Messiah who stood before them. The Hebrew Scriptures they had read and studied spoke of Jesus Christ and His coming, yet for all their study, they missed Him when He came. John preached the Kingdom of God and its King which the Law and Prophets, with the Writings, testify of, and not one word of God’s Scriptures will pass away or fail.
God’s people are to do His Word, not just hear it, rightly divided and studied, not just for knowledge which puffs up, but that we may in love edify, encourage, enable, and engage the people around us with His mercy and grace. His Truth, both in the Old and New Testaments of His Holy Word will stand forever, and we need to stand on it, firmly planted in the sufficient and perfect Word of the living God who cannot lie. Those who are born again by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary know of God and believe because of the testimony of the pure words preserved by God and transmitted unto us that we might have faith and know Him who is Creator, Redeemer, and King. This world will pass away, all that we know will fail and be burned up, but God’s Word will remain and every word will be fulfilled. From Genesis to Revelation, God has spoken through Moses and the Prophets, through the Gospel writers and the Apostles, and revealed Himself to those with an ear to hear what the Spirit saith.
God sends those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
The Pharisees who taught traditions instead of God’s Law and yet did neither themselves, all the while justifying their behavior and positions as the religious leaders of Israel were incensed at the teachings of Jesus and the company He kept. Those who would not a lift a finger to help their neighbor not only did not understand the condemnation they were under from the Law but had made it of none effect by their teachings added to it. Their false sense of their own worthiness and religious approval was filthy rags when compared to God’s righteousness. The righteousness of the Law, which cannot save but is given for our example, should have pointed them to the Messiah who stood before them. The Hebrew Scriptures they had read and studied spoke of Jesus Christ and His coming, yet for all their study, they missed Him when He came. John preached the Kingdom of God and its King which the Law and Prophets, with the Writings, testify of, and not one word of God’s Scriptures will pass away or fail.
God’s people are to do His Word, not just hear it, rightly divided and studied, not just for knowledge which puffs up, but that we may in love edify, encourage, enable, and engage the people around us with His mercy and grace. His Truth, both in the Old and New Testaments of His Holy Word will stand forever, and we need to stand on it, firmly planted in the sufficient and perfect Word of the living God who cannot lie. Those who are born again by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary know of God and believe because of the testimony of the pure words preserved by God and transmitted unto us that we might have faith and know Him who is Creator, Redeemer, and King. This world will pass away, all that we know will fail and be burned up, but God’s Word will remain and every word will be fulfilled. From Genesis to Revelation, God has spoken through Moses and the Prophets, through the Gospel writers and the Apostles, and revealed Himself to those with an ear to hear what the Spirit saith.
God sends those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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