walking in epiphany truth
Today's Truth from Scripture
(Jesus said), "You have heard that it was said to the people long ado, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone says, 'You Fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell." Matt. 5:21-22Today's devotional thoughts
Jesus' Sermon on the Mount is not for the faint-hearted. Why would I say that? Put yourself in the shoes--or sandals--of anyone listening intently to the Messiah's words spoken above. "Do not murder!" [Okay, I've never murdered anyone. I'm on pretty solid ground.] "Anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to to judgment!" [Excuse me?] "Anyone who says to his brother . . . You Fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell!" [Wait . . . What?!]In today's culture of unfiltered hatred & invective spilled all over the Internet, my reaction to those verses probably mirrors those of the 1st century Galileans who heard Jesus . . . wavering from, "You gotta be kidding me," to, "You can't expect me to refuse to respond when someone provokes me," to, "What's the use? If that's Jesus' standard, it's hopeless. I'm doomed!"
Until, that is, I read these Gospel words in 1 Timothy 1:15-16: "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life."
And THAT'S what I perceive as today's Epiphany Truth. "Epiphany: The reality or essential meaning of something." * The essential meaning? Jesus died for sinners who can't be perfect. He died for you & me.
* dictionary.com
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