Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
Luke 17:3-4
3 “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. 4 Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”
3 “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. 4 Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”
Commentary:
17:3–4 If your brother sins refers here to individual acts of sin. rebuke him. Sin cannot be overlooked but must be rebuked so that repentance and restoration can occur. if he repents, forgive him … seven times. In Judaism it was considered honorable to forgive three times; the disciples, as part of the new covenant community, were to exceed that standard.
Within Judaism, three times was sufficient to show a forgiving spirit (based on Job 33:29, 30; Amos 1:3; 2:6). But true disciples of Jesus are to forgive without keeping count (seventy times seven). This may echo and reverse Lamech’s boast of vengeance in Gen. 4:24 (the Gk. is the same).
Within Judaism, three times was sufficient to show a forgiving spirit (based on Job 33:29, 30; Amos 1:3; 2:6). But true disciples of Jesus are to forgive without keeping count (seventy times seven). This may echo and reverse Lamech’s boast of vengeance in Gen. 4:24 (the Gk. is the same).
Questions:
- The next lifejacket Clayton talked about on Sunday is ORTHOPRAXY, or BEHAVING rightly. Jesus is telling us to watch ourselves. Pay attention to YOURSELF, then watch your brother's life as well. "Only God can judge me!" Have you heard a Christian say this? While this might feel good to say to someone you feel is up in your business, the problem is that it runs contrary to the very words of Jesus. We are actually SUPPOSED to judge people INSIDE the church. But Jesus warns us to first deal with our own sin before we attempt to correct someone else. We must approach our brother in HUMILITY. When you deal with the plank in your own eye, you will have the right heart and right spirit when approaching someone else. If your heart isn't broken over YOUR sin, don't approach people about THEIR's. Here's a quote Clayton shared... "God intends Christian behavior to be reinforced and upheld by the friendship, company, teaching, counseling and loving criticism of other Christians. Not to appreciate this is to lapse into that arrogant independence of one’s fellow human beings—worse, one’s fellow Christians—which is a sign not of the new life but of the old." Do you feel like you have this kind of community in your life? If not, go the the app under "City Groups" and click "Find a Group."
- Forgiveness is a HUGE part of the life of a Jesus-follower. He is, after all, the ultimate example. While forgiving people that have wronged us can be extremely difficult, we are commanded to do so. To withhold forgiveness, Scripture teaches, will actually do damage to your relationship with God. Take some time today to search your heart. Is there someone from which you have been withholding forgiveness? Is there anyone in your life you have wronged and owe an apology?
Pray:
- That you would find and commit to a Christ-centered community of believers.
- That you would make sure relationships in your life are where they need to be.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
6. Is the Bible God’s Word? Jesus proved He is God by rising from the dead and said the Old Testament was God’s Word and gave authority to the Apostles to write the words of the New Testament, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so that all the words of the Bible are God’s Word.
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
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