Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except you repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Tough words from the Master, Friends, but just and true. Jesus was referring to a group of Galileans apparently killed by Pilate’s soldiers while offering sacrifices in the temple. ‘…Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things?’ (Luke 13:2) Then He quoted Today’s Bit. ‘Or these eighteen, upon whom the tower of Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.’ (Luke 13:4-5) Yes Friends, twice in 3 verses, Jesus used those words; that we’ve got to repent or suffer the same fate. He’s saying that it’s not right to assume or say misfortunes happen to others because they deserve it; they’re so sinful that the Lord had to strike them down. Neither does it mean that we are worthy to continue an untroubled life, because misfortunes will happen to us all, unless we repent. Jesus hit the nail on the head there since many of us tend to think that unfortunate things happen to others because they deserve it. While, we paragons of virtue, will escape unscathed. Hn! But Friends, neither case is true, for we are all sinners who can only be saved by confessing our sins to a merciful God and asking His forgiveness through His Son, Jesus Christ. We’ve got to get rid of the ‘we’re better than them’ attitude many of us have, the sin of pride, a sin the Lord thoroughly detests. Oh, He dislikes them all, but there’s something about pride, arrogance and their derivatives that really riles Him. In a number of cases we’re not even half the paragons of virtue we pretend to be, but instead are ole hypocrites, showing a nice face, while our insides seethe with pride, envy and bitterness. It all boils down to not being too quick to judge others, since we really don’t know their circumstances, and if we ever find ourselves in the same kind of situation, we surely won’t want to receive such rash judgement. This brings us to the parable Jesus told afterwards, about the owner of a fig tree that had been barren for three years. In disappointment and frustration, he instructed the gardener to cut it down, since it was of no use if it didn’t bear fruit. But the gardener begged for one more chance for that unfortunate fig tree, promising to mulch and manure it. Then, if it didn’t bear fruit, he’d cut it down. That’s like many of us Friends, unproductive, not bearing fruit, but luckily, the Lord’s patience and forbearance is extended to us; though not forever. If we continue to be unfruitful, then we’ll eventually feel His wrath. So it’s in our best interest to repent, change our sinful thoughts and actions to godly ones; ask for mercy and forgiveness, and sincerely try to do better, bear some wholesome fruit, unless we desire to perish. Much LOVE!…it’s a personal decision…repent…or perish…
Tough words from the Master, Friends, but just and true. Jesus was referring to a group of Galileans apparently killed by Pilate’s soldiers while offering sacrifices in the temple. ‘…Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things?’ (Luke 13:2) Then He quoted Today’s Bit. ‘Or these eighteen, upon whom the tower of Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.’ (Luke 13:4-5) Yes Friends, twice in 3 verses, Jesus used those words; that we’ve got to repent or suffer the same fate. He’s saying that it’s not right to assume or say misfortunes happen to others because they deserve it; they’re so sinful that the Lord had to strike them down. Neither does it mean that we are worthy to continue an untroubled life, because misfortunes will happen to us all, unless we repent. Jesus hit the nail on the head there since many of us tend to think that unfortunate things happen to others because they deserve it. While, we paragons of virtue, will escape unscathed. Hn! But Friends, neither case is true, for we are all sinners who can only be saved by confessing our sins to a merciful God and asking His forgiveness through His Son, Jesus Christ. We’ve got to get rid of the ‘we’re better than them’ attitude many of us have, the sin of pride, a sin the Lord thoroughly detests. Oh, He dislikes them all, but there’s something about pride, arrogance and their derivatives that really riles Him. In a number of cases we’re not even half the paragons of virtue we pretend to be, but instead are ole hypocrites, showing a nice face, while our insides seethe with pride, envy and bitterness. It all boils down to not being too quick to judge others, since we really don’t know their circumstances, and if we ever find ourselves in the same kind of situation, we surely won’t want to receive such rash judgement. This brings us to the parable Jesus told afterwards, about the owner of a fig tree that had been barren for three years. In disappointment and frustration, he instructed the gardener to cut it down, since it was of no use if it didn’t bear fruit. But the gardener begged for one more chance for that unfortunate fig tree, promising to mulch and manure it. Then, if it didn’t bear fruit, he’d cut it down. That’s like many of us Friends, unproductive, not bearing fruit, but luckily, the Lord’s patience and forbearance is extended to us; though not forever. If we continue to be unfruitful, then we’ll eventually feel His wrath. So it’s in our best interest to repent, change our sinful thoughts and actions to godly ones; ask for mercy and forgiveness, and sincerely try to do better, bear some wholesome fruit, unless we desire to perish. Much LOVE!…it’s a personal decision…repent…or perish…
SCRIP-BITS 