Working on this at an internet cafe concentrates the mind wonderfully. Particularly when twenty minutes costs three dollars. So, as far as News is concerned: kangaroo tastes like a cross between turkey and beef, Will. Had some last night.
And the rain everyone is talking about arrived today. The wet season hath just arrived, and the boys are counting the days until we are out of the tropics.
On the issue of unpopular teaching, I was dismayed to read that Pat Robertson is allowing divorce for those who have a sick spouse. Look, it’s horrible when the person you love disappears into a series of strokes or Alzheimers. Seen both, with three of my grandparents (the other died far too young). But divorce damages you. I am divorced, and at times worry that the ex reads this, but the process is prolonged, painful, and hurts your children, family, and you. Divorce should be limited… And I may be an old male, but we have lost this teaching.
Onto today’s readings: the old law still stands, and principles remain. God expects those who call themselves by his name to act like him.
1 O LORD, who may abide in your tent?
Who may dwell on your holy hill?2 Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right,
and speak the truth from their heart;
3 who do not slander with their tongue,
and do no evil to their friends,
nor take up a reproach against their neighbors;
4 in whose eyes the wicked are despised,
but who honor those who fear the LORD;
who stand by their oath even to their hurt;
5 who do not lend money at interest,
and do not take a bribe against the innocent.
Those who do these things shall never be moved.
As an aside, despising and hating wickedness is not unrighteousness.Telling the truth is not being cruel. When we look at the word, we should not instantly need to justify our lives. I am not saying this because I am perfect and have it all together. I don’t. Instead I am saying that the way that we show that we are of God is that we become more like him by and through the power of his spirit.
It is not our virtue. It is God’s work in us. And there is no contradiction here with this.
1Therefore let us go on toward perfection, leaving behind the basic teaching about Christ, and not laying again the foundation: repentance from dead works and faith toward God, 2instruction about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3And we will do this, if God permits. 4For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come,6and then have fallen away, since on their own they are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to contempt. 7Ground that drinks up the rain falling on it repeatedly, and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and on the verge of being cursed; its end is to be burned over. 9Even though we speak in this way, beloved, we are confident of better things in your case, things that belong to salvation. 10For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. 11And we want each one of you to show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end, 12so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Now, how can I say that? Well, it depends on another one of those unpopular teachings: Not all will be saved. In fact, many in the church are not saved. The way we show we are saved is by our abillity to obey the law.
Not easily, fully, or well. But that we take it seriously and try to live by what we believe. Now, if we abandon the faith — the reformed position is that we deluded ourselves that we had it in the first place. For it is not something we earn, but something given to one or another, chosen from before creation for salvation.
But let us not pretend this is easy, Or popular. Or will be universal.