For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Matt. 13
Of the four types of soil in Jesus’ parable, which one do you most identify with and why? In this chapter, Jesus tells a series of several parables describing the kingdom of heaven. The running theme I see in all of them is that when we become part of God’s kingdom, which we do when we, by faith, agree to His covenant relationship with us through Jesus, it changes us. If it does not, then we have not really received the kingdom of heaven. When we truly receive God’s grace, it produces something different in us than what our own human nature produced. Like the yeast, it spreads through us until there is no part of us untouched by it. And like that mustard seed, it grows so that even those around us can see it and receive some benefit from it.
The kingdom of heaven is planted in our heart. If our hearts are open to receive it, the change in our heart will affect our attitudes, motives, perspectives, priorities, and behaviors. We come to understand that the great value of what we have received far surpasses anything and everything else that we have. Then we willingly give up any earthly treasure to possess it. If we examine ourselves and don’t see these truths evident in our own lives, then we need to do what God told His people through the prophet Jeremiah. “Break up your unplowed ground and do not sow among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, circumcise your hearts”. (Jer. 4:3b-4a).
Deut. 7-8
I have been seeing a lot in the Bible about not putting yourself in a position of close fellowship with anybody who is not serving God with their life. From Judah’s kings to Paul’s writings, this message is everywhere in God’s word. I see it here, too. “Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for they will turn your children away from following me to serve other gods”. (Deut. 7:3-4a).
Following God is counter to our nature, which wants to put self first. It takes effort, even under the “easy yoke” of Jesus. His yoke is easy not because it makes following God easy, but because it makes it possible. But if we yoke ourselves with those who are not likewise yoked with Jesus, then we are pulled in two not just different, but opposite directions. Only one will prevail, and the path of least resistance reverts back to our human nature. This doesn’t mean that we should isolate ourselves from nonbelievers. We can’t carry on Jesus’ mission to seek the lost as commissioned if we do that. But we do need to remember that putting anyone or anything in God’s place leads only to destruction. We don’t want that.
Ps. 35
Who is contending (fighting) with you? Have you asked the Lord to contend for you? And to show you where you need to change? “Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye. They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.” (Ps. 35:19-20).
I think it is important, when somebody comes against you with something, to first examine yourself. Or better, ask God to examine you and reveal your heart. Check to see if you have done any wrong before God. I say before God, because He is the standard. If we have not done wrong before God, then we have not wronged that person, regardless if they chose to be hurt or offended by us. If we have not done wrong, we turn to what it says in this Psalm. Turn them over to God so that He can contend with them and we can continue to do what is right before Him.
What we don’t need to do is either attempt to take vengeance on them ourselves, or try to appease them. Our wrong will not negate theirs, and we can’t make something right that wasn’t wrong in the first place. We need to recognize and acknowledge the evil in the human heart. People who attack others without cause are serving their own flesh and, therefore, the evil one. When Paul says in Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone”, he is not talking about appeasement. He is talking about not being the cause of or furthering dissension. There is nothing in God’s word that suggests we should be at peace with evil.