Light is sown like seed for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Psalm 97:11
Sunday, June 16, 2019
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
False righteousness and true righteousness. Personal Reflection. Edited and expanded
Written and published by
Jean-Louis Mondon
Jesus, talking about the
righteousness of the Pharisees:
"For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the
scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20.
The only righteousness the
Pharisees had was self-righteousness. Is that what Jesus meant? That we should
try to surpass their performing to the minute detail their more than three
hundred commands and ordinances. Of
course not.
What could we do to exceed
their own righteousness? Nothing. It would be futile and useless to even try.
Our first parents Adam and
Eve tried to hide themselves and their shame by covering their nakedness with
fig tree leaves that had to be replaced over and over like the works of the
Pharisees. What was the remedy provided by the Father/Creator? A hide from an
animal sacrifice, a type of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross for the
remission of sin would be enough to cover the sin of disobedience, desire for
self-sufficiency, forbidden wisdom and the subsequent shame they felt.
"Their webs will not become clothing, Nor
will they cover themselves with their works; Their works are works of
iniquity, And an act of violence is in their hands." Isaiah 59:6
For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous
deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf,
And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. Isaiah 64:6.
The works that the Pharisees covered their nakedness with are like the figs
leaves of the tree of Israel that produced useless leaves and no fruit worthy
of repentance and no faith in Jesus Christ.
See Matthew 21:19: Seeing
a lone fig tree by the road, He(the Lord Jesus) came to it and found nothing on
it except leaves only; and He said to it, "No longer shall there ever
be any fruit from you." And at once the fig tree withered.
At this point, let me
interject something about flowers. The Bible talks about seeds, trees, roots, branches, leaves and flowers.
But what about flowers? They are beautiful, colorful, fragrant and some are
even edible. They fill our life and our house with pleasure. To join our
gratitude and humility to their awe-inspiring qualities we have to recognize
the creative hand of our Creator/God that created everything that was good to
add a measure of pleasure to the beautiful earth that he created as our
temporary home.
So let us cultivate and
hold on to faith, hope, remembering that love is the ultimate fruit that God
grows in us for his purpose and that as I John 4:19 states: “We love because
He (Jesus) first loved us”.
The leaves could not cover
Adam and Eve, the works the Pharisees perform could not cover them and
following their teachings without faith resulted in the putting aside of Israel
until the end of the time of the Gentiles in which we are living now.
Therefore they said to Him,
“What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” 29 Jesus
answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him
whom He has sent; and further in verse 40: For this is the
will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will
have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”
How could it be clearer
than that?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is an excerpt from the
last chapter of an allegory I wrote a few years ago: To read the whole story
click Here: http://thelightseed.blogspot.com.br/2011/02/joshua-tree-desert-parable.html
The Tree of Life
Theophilus woke up, with tears of joy flowing from his eyes. He was watching an unforgettable scene.
There, in front of him, stood up a Joshua tree, majestic and radiant that bore an uncanny resemblance with the man from his dream whose blood had saved his life. He fell down, prostrate on his face against the hot desert sand. He knew without the shadow of a doubt that he was in the presence of the Master of the Joshua Trees. He didn’t dare move from his position such was the power emanating from the glorious appearance. An indescribable ripple of fear coursed through his being.
"Rise, Theophilus and look at me." The commanding tone of voice was enough to make him obey. He was reluctant at first to lift his gaze directly into the eyes of the Master. Lifting his head up slowly, he saw the pierced feet, then, the pierced wrists. He gathered enough courage to focus on the chest where a scarlet wound in the shape of the tip of a lance or the eye of a needle remained from a cruel wound.
"Don’t be afraid, look at me. I am Yeshua, the Master of the Joshua Trees. What is your quest? Why do you want to meet me?"
While the Master was asking these questions, his eyes whispered softly words Theophilus never heard before, words of love that penetrated deep in his heart.
"Master, I am looking for the desert exit door. Your trees told me that you possess the keys and that a word from you can set the captives free, can give sight to the blind, make a poor man rich, and heal the afflicted. You can also give knowledge to the ignorant who think they are wise, and you can clothe with your pardon and righteousness the nakedness which I try to cover with my religion and good deeds."
'It’s true. But you have too big a notion of yourself to be able to go through this door. First, you must answer a few questions."
"Yes, master, as you wish."
"What is your name? Who are you?"
"Well, before, they called me Theophilus, but I will accept whatever name you wish to call me. "
"Where do you come from?"
"From the land of deadly illusions and appearances, a world filled with violence and deception."
"Well said! Are you rich, or do you intend to be?"
"Well, before now, I had credit cards, bank accounts, a good and profitable business, cars, a beautiful house, but all that didn’t help me very much. To tell you the truth, I will accept whatever you want to give me."
After these answers, Theophilus was feeling his body shrink little by little. What a strange sensation!
The Master continued:
"What about your reputation?"
"Alas, people looked at the appearances. But I can see that you know me and I desire to become what you want me to be."
"What do you hope to gain from me?"
"Freedom from the chains that keep me tied up and hinders my walk, understanding truth and knowing which way to go."
"Good, I can do that for you. But what will do once you are free if I give you the key to the door?"
"Master, I want to belong to you and serve you, for you are the one who saved and healed me."
Each of Theophilus’ responses was followed by a change in his size until at last, the Master's stature appeared gigantic in comparison without overwhelming him. Then, the Master bent forward and catching him tenderly in the palm of his right hand, he lifted Theophilus up to his chest and hugged him close against the wound shaped like the tip of a lance or the eye of a big needle.
On his way up, Theophilus was helplessly watching on the screen of his memory the video from his first meeting with the touchstone at the crossroad of his destiny, the first step of stairway which led to the royal capital of the heavenly kingdom, illumined by the eternal light of the Master. He possessed a law of gravity defying lightness, with no desire to resist the attraction propelling him towards a universe of unconditional freedom. Being transported on this celestial stairway, this bridge between two worlds without any effort on his part, he was about to enter a territory invisible to the human eye and yet so real.
Instantly, going through the open door at a breathtaking speed, Theophilus found himself standing on the desert floor that he had just left.
"Welcome to the kingdom, announced the Master in a warm tone of voice. Open your eyes and look at yourself."
His eyes opened by the voice of his Master, Theophilus looked at his legs, his trunk, his arms and discovered that he had turned into a Joshua tree with soft scars in the place of the usual armor of thorns. Yeshua spoke to him solemnly:
"From now on your name will be Joshua Theophilus O’Call because I called you to my service and you responded with good will."
Tears of joy mixed with gratitude flowing from his eyes, Theophilus answered:
"Master, where do you want me to serve you?"
"Right here in the desert to guide those who have lost their way or those who have wandered from the way of truth and need help in finding me."
"Yes, Master. But I have a question. How do your trees find food and drink? There is nothing but sand in the desert."
Yeshua touched his eyes and now he could very clearly watch a fantastic scene through the desert floor as if it was made of transparent crystal. From the feet of the Master, roots full of a sap that resembled light amber honey extended all the way under the feet of the Joshua trees and fed them constantly night and day.
"Please, Master, what do you want me to call you?"
"Call me Lord Jesus, for I am both Savior and King."
"Lord, I can see the trees, the roots, the leaves and the cactus flowers, but where are the fruits?"
"Every time one of my servants extended to you love, kindness, goodness, patience, they shared their fruits with you. When
Theophilus woke up, with tears of joy flowing from his eyes. He was watching an unforgettable scene.
There, in front of him, stood up a Joshua tree, majestic and radiant that bore an uncanny resemblance with the man from his dream whose blood had saved his life. He fell down, prostrate on his face against the hot desert sand. He knew without the shadow of a doubt that he was in the presence of the Master of the Joshua Trees. He didn’t dare move from his position such was the power emanating from the glorious appearance. An indescribable ripple of fear coursed through his being.
"Rise, Theophilus and look at me." The commanding tone of voice was enough to make him obey. He was reluctant at first to lift his gaze directly into the eyes of the Master. Lifting his head up slowly, he saw the pierced feet, then, the pierced wrists. He gathered enough courage to focus on the chest where a scarlet wound in the shape of the tip of a lance or the eye of a needle remained from a cruel wound.
"Don’t be afraid, look at me. I am Yeshua, the Master of the Joshua Trees. What is your quest? Why do you want to meet me?"
While the Master was asking these questions, his eyes whispered softly words Theophilus never heard before, words of love that penetrated deep in his heart.
"Master, I am looking for the desert exit door. Your trees told me that you possess the keys and that a word from you can set the captives free, can give sight to the blind, make a poor man rich, and heal the afflicted. You can also give knowledge to the ignorant who think they are wise, and you can clothe with your pardon and righteousness the nakedness which I try to cover with my religion and good deeds."
'It’s true. But you have too big a notion of yourself to be able to go through this door. First, you must answer a few questions."
"Yes, master, as you wish."
"What is your name? Who are you?"
"Well, before, they called me Theophilus, but I will accept whatever name you wish to call me. "
"Where do you come from?"
"From the land of deadly illusions and appearances, a world filled with violence and deception."
"Well said! Are you rich, or do you intend to be?"
"Well, before now, I had credit cards, bank accounts, a good and profitable business, cars, a beautiful house, but all that didn’t help me very much. To tell you the truth, I will accept whatever you want to give me."
After these answers, Theophilus was feeling his body shrink little by little. What a strange sensation!
The Master continued:
"What about your reputation?"
"Alas, people looked at the appearances. But I can see that you know me and I desire to become what you want me to be."
"What do you hope to gain from me?"
"Freedom from the chains that keep me tied up and hinders my walk, understanding truth and knowing which way to go."
"Good, I can do that for you. But what will do once you are free if I give you the key to the door?"
"Master, I want to belong to you and serve you, for you are the one who saved and healed me."
Each of Theophilus’ responses was followed by a change in his size until at last, the Master's stature appeared gigantic in comparison without overwhelming him. Then, the Master bent forward and catching him tenderly in the palm of his right hand, he lifted Theophilus up to his chest and hugged him close against the wound shaped like the tip of a lance or the eye of a big needle.
On his way up, Theophilus was helplessly watching on the screen of his memory the video from his first meeting with the touchstone at the crossroad of his destiny, the first step of stairway which led to the royal capital of the heavenly kingdom, illumined by the eternal light of the Master. He possessed a law of gravity defying lightness, with no desire to resist the attraction propelling him towards a universe of unconditional freedom. Being transported on this celestial stairway, this bridge between two worlds without any effort on his part, he was about to enter a territory invisible to the human eye and yet so real.
Instantly, going through the open door at a breathtaking speed, Theophilus found himself standing on the desert floor that he had just left.
"Welcome to the kingdom, announced the Master in a warm tone of voice. Open your eyes and look at yourself."
His eyes opened by the voice of his Master, Theophilus looked at his legs, his trunk, his arms and discovered that he had turned into a Joshua tree with soft scars in the place of the usual armor of thorns. Yeshua spoke to him solemnly:
"From now on your name will be Joshua Theophilus O’Call because I called you to my service and you responded with good will."
Tears of joy mixed with gratitude flowing from his eyes, Theophilus answered:
"Master, where do you want me to serve you?"
"Right here in the desert to guide those who have lost their way or those who have wandered from the way of truth and need help in finding me."
"Yes, Master. But I have a question. How do your trees find food and drink? There is nothing but sand in the desert."
Yeshua touched his eyes and now he could very clearly watch a fantastic scene through the desert floor as if it was made of transparent crystal. From the feet of the Master, roots full of a sap that resembled light amber honey extended all the way under the feet of the Joshua trees and fed them constantly night and day.
"Please, Master, what do you want me to call you?"
"Call me Lord Jesus, for I am both Savior and King."
"Lord, I can see the trees, the roots, the leaves and the cactus flowers, but where are the fruits?"
"Every time one of my servants extended to you love, kindness, goodness, patience, they shared their fruits with you. When
you enjoyed their light,
their protective and refreshing shade, their peace, their wise words of
counsel, comfort or encouragement, those are the fruits that grow from the
source of life that I give each one of them."
Read more: http://thelightseed.blogspot.com/2011/07/joshua-tree-desert-parable_15.html#ixzz3fLWh5vlf
Sunday, June 9, 2019
Sunday, June 2, 2019
Saturday, June 1, 2019
MAIS DO QUE OS PÉS
MAIS DO QUE OS PÉS
“Quando vocês vêm à minha presença, quem lhes pediu que pusessem os pés em meus átrios?” Isaías 1.12
Deus estava decepcionado com seu povo. O motivo era que a vida religiosa deles era fingida, ou seja, para Deus não bastava pisar a sala principal do Templo, se o coração estava longe do Senhor. Mais do que pés pisando seus átrios, Deus queria corações consagrados.
Mas o pecado não aparecia claramente. Era camuflado pelas ofertas que continuamente eram trazidos a Deus. Eles nem se davam conta do quanto aquela fé “morna” era detestável para Deus. Agir daquela maneira era pior do que fechar as portas do Templo de uma vez por todas.
A fé “morna” dava aparência de santidade no Templo, agarrados a religiosidade, mas fora do Templo eram depravados no que faziam contra o próximo. Mais assustador é saber que eles insistiam nessa revolta que Deus detestava (Is.1.5). Dentro do Templo pareciam sinceros com suas ofertas (Is.1.11); fora dali eram as piores pessoas se alguém precisava de justiça (Is.1.21-23).
Nada é mais detestável do que ser falso religioso, pensando que agrada a Deus, que tem atenção de Deus, tem acesso a Deus, quando na verdade não tem (Lc.18.11,12).
Deus conhece o mais profundo pensamento, e sabe qual é a verdadeira intenção do coração (Is.1.15). Falsidade e religiosidade são tão intragáveis quanto água quando está se afogando.
Mas Deus tinha esperança de restaurar aquelas pessoas. A proposta de Deus era o arrependimento e mudança de atitude (Is.1.16,17). Assim como tinham escolhido pecar, podiam escolher se santificar (Is.1.18), com arrependimento sincero e obediência (Is.1.19,27).
Deus não tem prazer na morte de ninguém, mas nunca deixa de alertar que toda injustiça tem consequência. Deus quer que todos vivam (Ez.18.32).
O problema é que não há ser humano que nunca peque, e o melhor dos arrependimentos por si só, sempre será imperfeito. Somos pecadores, e nossa vontade de não pecar é fraca demais. Precisamos de Cristo para nos justificar e santificar. É só mediante Cristo que somos aceitos por Deus (Jo.14.6), e isso não depende de nós, e sim, do amor de Deus (Jo.3.16).
O amor de Deus, revelado em Cristo, garante perdão total. O amor de Deus é a razão definitiva para abandonar o pecado (Rm.6.12). O amor de Deus nos constrange a reagir, pois se Deus não poupou o seu próprio Filho, seria sábio ser indiferente ao amor de Deus? Seria sábio resistir e não se entregar ou não desejar o amor de Deus? Se o amor de Cristo é pouco para nos sensibilizar, nada mais será suficiente para nos transformar.
O amor de Deus é para todos. Jesus morreu e ressuscitou para libertar os escravos da culpa (Rm.8.1,2), e pela fé em Cristo, se tornassem filhos de Deus por adoção (Gl.3.26). Você já foi adotado por Deus?
Pr. Vilmar Paulichen
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