Friday, July 11, 2008

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY: Romans 3:1-8

PSALM OF THE WEEK: Psalm 14

HYMN OF THE DAY: CH#87 “I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4wZRiI66SY&feature=related or http://my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis2/mercies.html

VERSE OF THE DAY: And why not say (as some people slander us by saying that we say), “Let us do evil so that good may come”? Their condemnation is deserved! Romans 3:8 NRSV

 

Some people actually think they can do good by doing things that are evil.  They have a saying for it: “The end justifies the means.”  This verse in Romans says that is wrong.   When we live for Christ, what we do is important.  Justice requires that both the ends and the means must be just, not justified. Also see verses 5 & 6 for more about how God won’t use injustice to accomplish God’s true justice. We just can’t use manipulation, gossip, slander, “tricks”, or “pitting both ends against the middle” to get our way, especially not in church!  Fortunately, our unfaithfulness will never negate God’s faithfulness (verses 3-4a) So when we live in a world where people, even governments, routinely practice injustice as a pretext of working for peace and justice, what are we to do? We are to live a life above the condemnation of the injustices inflicted on us and others. 

 

PRAYER: O Faithful God, look upon me with your mercy and faithfulness.  Forgive my unfaithfulness.  Help me to truly think before I act so that everything I do is to your glory and honor. Amen.

 

See you in Church Sunday,

Pastor Sandy

 

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