Thought for the day
You've no doubt heard of Murphy's Law ("If anything can go wrong, it will.") You may have even heard of some of the corollaries to Murphy's Law ("If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.") But have you heard of the following new laws:
"The Law of Volunteering" -- If you dance with a grizzly bear, you had better let him lead.
"The Law of Avoiding Oversell" -- When putting cheese in a mousetrap, always leave room for the mouse.
"The Law of Reality" -- Never get into fights with ugly people, they have nothing to lose.
"The Law of Self-Sacrifice" -- When you starve with a tiger, the tiger starves last.
"Weiler's Law" -- Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself.
"Law of Volunteer Labor" -- People are always available for work in the past tense.
"Conway's Law" -- In any organization there is one person who knows what is going on. That person must be fired.
"Osborne's Law" -- Variables won't; constants aren't.
"Main's Law" -- For every action there is an equal and opposite government program.
"The Law of Fools" -- It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious.
"Law of Accuracy" -- When working toward the solution of a problem, it always helps if you know the answer.
Corollary: Provided, of course, that you know there is a problem. There are some laws that truly are "laws" in that they always hold true. There are some laws that we wish weren't true. And there are some laws which, fortunately, are eventually removed from the books. The New Testament speaks about the subject of "law" quite a bit. There is a sharp contrast drawn between the "old law" (given by Moses) and the "new law" (given by Jesus Christ). The apostle Paul spent several chapters in Romans discussing "the law" and its shortcomings (though he makes it clear that the law served an important role in his life).
Then in Romans 8, Paul refers to "the law of sin and death." What is that law? Simply this:
Whoever sins, must die (Rom. 6:23). It's a frightening law because we all know (even when we try to deny it) that we are guilty of sin, and so the punishment is inevitable.Fortunately, there is a "corollary" to the law of sin and death: "For the law of the Spirit in life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2).
There's only one thing that can keep the law of sin and death from having its dreaded effect in our lives -- that's is to live a life "in Jesus Christ" according to the Spirit."For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin." (Romans 8:3). The law brings only the result of punishment. Jesus Christ brings a hope of blessing for those who live in Him.
Folks, that's good news!
Verses
Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that He should tell or act a lie, neither the son of man, that He should feel repentance or compunction [for what He has promised]. Has He said, and shall He not do it? Or has He spoken and shall He not make it good?
Deuteronomy 7:14
"You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall not be a male or female barren among you or among your livestock.
John 3:17
"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Psalm 86:7
In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me.
2 Corinthians 9:11
you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.
Prayer
Father, it comes very naturally to encourage and instruct others in Your teachings. But it is much more difficult to bring loving correction to one who has chosen to live in disobedience to Your command. Help me to go forth as one pure in heart, humble in spirit, and earnest in prayer when I am commissioned to be Your messenger of life-giving rebuke. When the messenger is pure in motive and the message is received in the right spirit then correction will take place, just as it did with David and Nathan. Though I cannot be assured of the desired results help me to find blessing in having been obedient to Your Spirit’s leading. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen
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