Faith In The Mist Of Reality
October 4, 2011
Today’s reading: Luke 14 NASB
SCRIPTURE
“He said to them, “Which one of you will
have a son or an ox fall into a well, and will not immediately pull him out on
a Sabbath day?” -Luke 14:5-6 NASB
OBSERVATION
Here in Luke 14:1-6 as Jesus went into
the house of one of the leaders of the Pharisees on the Sabbath to eat and talk
with them. It’s here I kicked back and
attempted gain a visual perspective and see / hear the discussion that took
place:
-vs (1) one paints an accurate picture
of eastern culture discussion; which, is very similar to my conversations -
questioning: political agenda’s, cultural traditions, and religious
conceptions.
Can you hear their questions?
•What is the nature of the universe?
Where does it come from? Of what is it made? How did it come to exist? What is
its purpose? By what process does it change? Is it evolving or devolving? Does
it function by itself or would it degenerate to chaos without some kind of
intelligent control?
•Is there a Supreme Being? If so, what
is His nature? Did He create the universe? Does He continue to control it
personally and if so, at what level? What is his relationship with man? Does he
intervene in the affairs of man? Is this Being good? If this Being is good and
all-powerful, how can evil exist?
•What determines the fate of each individual?
Is man a creator and mover of his life, or does he live at the effect of forces
over which he has little control? Does free will exist or are our lives
determined by outside factors—and if so, what are those factors? Is there a
Supreme Force that intervenes in our lives; or is everything pre-determined
from the beginning of time; or is life just random, full of coincidence and
accident?
•What is good and what is bad or evil?
What is moral? What is ethical? Who decides good and bad, right and wrong; and
by what standard? Is there an absolute standard of good and bad beyond one’s
the personal opinions? Should good and bad be determined by custom, by rational
law, or by the situation? What if the decisions of others (society,
authorities, laws, etc) determining good and bad are contrary to one’s personal
beliefs or freedoms?
•What is the ideal relation between the
individual and the state? Should the individual serve the state or the state
serve the individual? What is the best form of government and what is the
worst? When is a man justified in rebelling against the established order and
creating a new state?
-vs (2) two tells of a man suffering
from dropsy; which, is an abnormal accumulation of fluid beneath the skin or in
one or more cavities of the body that produces swelling. Today’s medical
terminology for dropsy is edema (American
English) or oedema (British
English);
both words from the Greek οἴδημα, oídēma "swelling."
-vs (3) three describes Jesus turning
and directly posing a question to the “Lawyers and Pharisees” in the room. This also suggest that their were others
present in the room.
Answer: “Faith” and “Reality” go hand
and hand!
I’ve it’s through my daily “reality”
that my “faith” / the issues that God allows to me to experience invites me
into a genuine growing relationship - one that involves all the ups, downs, and
aspects of a relationship. Its through
my relationship with Him that His Law begins to live in mankind’s heart; I
begin to loves it, delight in it. It’s
through the point relationship as I interact and question that Eternal life begins
here, and continues as I journey through out this life with faith.
God, it’s here that I am reminded that
what goes in, comes out. “… the mouth
speaks out of that which fills the heart” (Matt. 12:34). Whatever I’m putting in is going to come
out, and that is why it is important to take the time every day to fill my
heart—even a little bit—with Your word / godly thoughts. How? Making time to
sit at Your feet and learn via daily devotions. I’m amazing at the simplicity
and priceless work You accomplished on the Cross. Thank you, for speaking directly to me as I
choose to sit at Your feet - thank you for empowering me (us) with the
incredible gift of “freewill.” Help me daily aline my heart, my mind, and my
life to You - Jesus. Help me make time
for that which is most important - TIME W/ YOU. Continue to refine and guidance my heart & mind - thank you for
being a God that daily gives me great life lessons. Honestly, YOUR word is one
of the most difficult books to read and at the same time the MOST REWARDING -
Thanks. - Trevor