Sunday, January 3, 2010

The First Sunday and the First Holy Communion of the Year!

This first Sunday, I'll let the Book I love most express it's view about not having any more of our government taking over our lives...

1. We are supposed to work for our daily bread and not expect it as a God given right.
(2 Thessalonians 3:6)

Warning Against Idleness: Keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat any one's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."

If we shun the Seven Deadly (plus) Sins, we could prevent a lot of diseases rampant in today's society from strangling us with health care costs. An ounce of prevention vs. a pound of harm (Galatians 5:7):

For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying of each other.

2 comments:

  1. I always add "forgiveness" as one of the fruits of the spirit.

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  2. I would agree with you, Juan, but you know what the last paragraph of the Bible, in Revelations, says about changing the Words of His Book...so I will let your words speak for themselves. We tolerate...we forgive...but, our prodigals should know that although they are forgiven for their sins, if asked earnestly, there are still consequences for their actions and it is not our responsibility to pay for them.

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