Matt.5:4 - "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted."
Repentance involves mourning and death. One mourns because he is dead to God because of his sins. And, the depth of mourning and sorrow over the sins determines the depth of repentance. Many people are still not delivered from sin, because they have not mourned enough, they have not mourned genuinely. Deep inside they still somehow cherish that besetting sin from which they have not turned away. They may say, "I hate that sin"; however, when the occasion comes they realize that their flesh is not yet crucified with Christ, and they are still dead in their sins. However, when there is intense and sufficient mourning, then there comes comfort; for the Spirit of Grace shines and like a thunderbolt puts the deeds of the flesh to death, and by that same one act also quickens us to life by virtue of the resurrection of Jesus. Then, we truly become dead to sin and alive to God; then, do we have true comfort of no longer being dead to God but having been reconciled to God in holiness and peace.
Showing posts with label Matthew 5. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matthew 5. Show all posts
Friday, April 24, 2015
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Giving to the One Who Asks - Matthew 5:42
Matt. 5:42 "Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away."
It doesn't mean giving to the chronic borrower, who lacks a sense of responsibility, who borrows but never has the ethical sense of returning back. The chronic borrower is reckless and irresponsible, and wishes to make others pay for what he wants to freely enjoy. To pay for his desires is to increase chaos and havoc in the world of economy. Our rule is verse 48: "you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." In the same manner that our Father will not give to everyone who asks out of selfish desires and with an ungrateful entitlement attitude, we are not obligated to give to everyone who asks. Also, a good father doesn't give to his child whatever he asks unless he knows that the giving is good for the child; similarly, if someone who is addicted to alcohol or drugs or to vanity comes and asks of you money which you know he's going to spend it for his addiction, you shouldn't give to him. In addition, if there is someone who has possessions that he doesn't wish to spend, but covets what you have, such a person is a greedy miser, who deserves punishment like the rich man in Nathan's parable who killed the poor man's lamb instead of one of his own to feed a visitor. Do not associate with adulterers and winebibbers (Prov.23:20; James 4:3,4). But, give to the one who is in real need and is placed by God's providence in your path to be shown charity; and, if you're not very sure, it is better to give than to receive, it is better to err on the side of the right than err on the side of the wrong, for why should you be ashamed on the Day of Judgment when He says, "I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.' (Mat 25:42-43)
It doesn't mean giving to the chronic borrower, who lacks a sense of responsibility, who borrows but never has the ethical sense of returning back. The chronic borrower is reckless and irresponsible, and wishes to make others pay for what he wants to freely enjoy. To pay for his desires is to increase chaos and havoc in the world of economy. Our rule is verse 48: "you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." In the same manner that our Father will not give to everyone who asks out of selfish desires and with an ungrateful entitlement attitude, we are not obligated to give to everyone who asks. Also, a good father doesn't give to his child whatever he asks unless he knows that the giving is good for the child; similarly, if someone who is addicted to alcohol or drugs or to vanity comes and asks of you money which you know he's going to spend it for his addiction, you shouldn't give to him. In addition, if there is someone who has possessions that he doesn't wish to spend, but covets what you have, such a person is a greedy miser, who deserves punishment like the rich man in Nathan's parable who killed the poor man's lamb instead of one of his own to feed a visitor. Do not associate with adulterers and winebibbers (Prov.23:20; James 4:3,4). But, give to the one who is in real need and is placed by God's providence in your path to be shown charity; and, if you're not very sure, it is better to give than to receive, it is better to err on the side of the right than err on the side of the wrong, for why should you be ashamed on the Day of Judgment when He says, "I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.' (Mat 25:42-43)
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