How much easier it would be to live without thought to others, concerning myself only with my life and my family. The problem is I cannot find anywhere in Scripture that promotes this type of lifestyle.....the truth of the Gospel compels me to care as much for others, Christian and the stranger or non christian, as I care about myself. With Christ within me it is impossible not to care about all people knowing that He gave His life up for them. Christians are His representatives. He showed us God’ way of judging and it was totally different than the religious right of the time. Jesus, dependent upon the Holy Spirit, lived His life caring for those who society threw away. The truth of His Gospel set all of us free to love without prejudice.
The wisdom and prophetic writers echoed the same sentiment concerning the righteousness of kingdoms—that they must be measured according to their protection of the three segments of society who were unable to defend themselves: the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow.
If justice and righteousness characterized the leadership of the land, the continued prosperity of the Davidic dynasty would be assured. However, if the Lord’s words were not heeded, the house of David would be made a desolation—that is, a ruin or waste.
Jeremiah 22:3-53 Thus says the Lord: “Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place. 4 For if you indeed do this thing, then shall enter the gates of this house, riding on horses and in chariots, accompanied by servants and people, kings who sit on the throne of David. 5 But if you will not hear these words, I swear by Myself,” says the Lord, “that this house shall become a desolation.” ’ ”
No comments:
Post a Comment