Msg #24022 Love Them as He Loved
What The Bible Says
Good Samaritan’s Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice
All three of John’s 3:16s rhyme, and the middle one says, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us” (1John.3:16). As a writer it has intrigued me that the first sentence of Solomon’s Proverbs has four verbs, to know, perceive, receive, and give. Webster defines “to perceive” as “to have knowledge or receive impressions through the senses; to know; to understand; to observe.”
Solomon says fifteen-hundred Proverbs should cause one to perceive. For true love, the Bible says the cross of Calvary shows it all. It goes on, “And we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (3:16b). While we were yet sinners Christ died for us, so one can’t pretend the “brethren” in this application are just those in the pew beside us. The “brethren” here include the one coming out of Walmart with tattoos and piercings everywhere visible. In the vile wicked world we live in, people need the Lord, and we should look on them with the compassion that Jesus had. Christians get exasperated as a world gets incensed, but we are to be witnesses, salt and light, and God’s presence in this world; not be judge and jury.
Proverbs 10 through 13 contrasts righteousness and wickedness, 14 through 19 goodness and evil. “The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked. … The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. … A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. … he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.” (Prov.10:3, 11:3, 12:3,13:3b). Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord … persuade men, no matter the tattoos or piercings.
An Essay for week #22, Jun 2, 2024
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Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs240602.mp3
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A weekly 300 word essay- The Penny Pulpit
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