"The burden of the word of the Lord…"?

One of the things I am often struck by is the difference in tone between the Old Testament and the New Testament.  Here is a verse that stood out to me today.

Malachi 1:1(NKJV)

The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.

Burden?  In the OT there are several places where following God is described in terms similar to that.  The funny thing is, I have never found that to be the case in following Jesus.  I have personally found it to be just the opposite.  I have found following Jesus to be quite freeing.
 

How about you?  Are you following Him yet?  No better time than right now to start.  Just ask Jesus to come in to your life and lead you.  Have a conversation with Jesus.  "Dear Jesus…."

Repentance and Remission of Sin

Once again notice what Jesus Himself specifically said should be preached on His behalf.

Luke 24:46-49(NKJV)

Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 

and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 

And you are witnesses of these things. 

Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

Repentance and remission of sins.  Not go ahead and do your own thing and you will be saved anyway.  Hmm. 

Another way of saying no sign will be given?

I think this illustrates perfectly the whole concept of no additional sign will be given.  Jesus is basically saying "Look, you have God's Word in the Bible and if you aren't going to believe that then you aren't going to believe anything else. " 

Either take God at His word or call Him a liar if you dare but He isn't going to offer additional proof just to try and convince you to believe Him.

Luke 16:27-31(NKJV)

“Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 

for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 

Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 

And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 

But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’”

Did Judas go to Heaven?

I don't know why but that question has never occurred to me before.  While this might seem like a "well duh" question, just stick with me for a minute or two.

Luke 22:3-6(NKJV)

Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. 

So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. 

And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 

So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.

Luke 22:20-22(NKJV)

Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. 

But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. 

And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!”

The reason I ask the question is because of this verse and verses similar in the book of Mark. 
 

Matthew 12:31-32(NKJV)

“Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 

Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

Think about that.  Judas was one of the 12 disciples so we know that He accepted and followed Christ.  Judas spoke against the Son of Man but I don't see anywhere that he spoke against the Holy Spirit.  So it would seem to me that there is a likelihood that Judas still went to Heaven. 

Now couple that with the fact that we serve a just God.  God needed a fall guy to carry out the plan.  Judas was that guy.  Scripture tells us that Satan entered Judas so he wasn't acting of his own volition.  (Luke 22:3(NKJV)Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.)

In that case it would seem unjust to me to condemn Judas to Hell for eternity.  We shall see! 

Do pacifists seek vengeance?

Just another little tidbit for those who think Jesus is a pacifist.  Do pacifists seek vengeance?  :)

Jesus is talking here about the Battle of Armageddon and His kingdom coming to earth.  
 

Luke 21:22(NKJV)

For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 

Does forgiveness require repentance?

This is an issue that I have ran across twice recently.  Take a look at these Scriptures.

Luke 17:1-4(NKJV)

Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! 

It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. 

Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 

And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

Luke 13:2-5(NKJV)

And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 

I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 

Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 

I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

I guess I would say yes and no.  Here is what I mean by that.  I think that to receive eternal life, repentance is required.  I think Scripture makes that pretty clear.  As I have written many times, no kumbaya, live and let live Jesus.  

But what about on a personal level?  I think that is totally different.  While I don't think that we are required to forgive if repentance is not offered, I think it is a good idea to do so.  It just isn't good to carry around animosity and resentment. 

Forgive freely and easily in my opinion but let me make something clear.  Voluntary forgiveness does not mean opening yourself up to be used.  I'm talking about people who would try to guilt you into doing something.  As an example "If you really forgave me you would pay my rent for me."  and things like that.

Forgive someone like that?  Absolutely.  Give in to their emotional extortion?  Only if you are a fool.  Scripture doesn't require that!

Who are Jesus' enemies?

I have written many times in the past about people who declare themselves "enemies of God".  In case you are wondering if that is Scriptural check out this passage.

Luke 19:24-27(NKJV)

“And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’ 

(But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas.’) 

‘For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 

But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.’”

Jesus Himself tells us that His enemies are those who rejected His Kingdom.  Those who don't want Jesus to rule over them. 

Now many point to the Scripture where Jesus tells us to pray for our enemies and I believe that we should do that.  But what is it exactly that we should be praying for?

I believe what we should be praying for is that the enemies of God repent and ask Jesus in to their lives.  Because until they do that they are still enemies of God.  They are not deserving of the promises of God as long as they choose to remain enemies of God.  And make no mistake about it.  The choice and decision is always totally up to them.   

Notice that Jesus doesn't say bestow all of the blessing of God on our enemies.  Only to pray for them.  Those who choose to repent are welcomed with open arms and enjoy all of the blessings of being saved.  Those who choose not to repent, well, in the final disposition of things Jesus still deals with them as enemies. 

Once the end comes it is too late!

I think this is one thing that is going to surprise a lot of people. 

Luke 17:22-30(NKJV)

Then He said to the disciples, “The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 

And they will say to you, ‘Look here!’ or ‘Look there!’ Do not go after them or follow them. 

For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day. 

But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 

And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 

They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 

Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 

but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 

Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.

I think that there are a lot of people who think that they will get a final chance to accept Jesus when they die therefore they don't have to accept Him now.  After all Scripture says that God desires that all should come to know Jesus.  Scripture also tells us that God is long suffering towards us.  I think that lulls a lot of people in to complacency. 

However look at what the above Scripture says.  Just like any good parent, at some point God is going to put His foot down.  He will have had enough.  Look at what He has done in the past when He reached that point. 

A lot of people drowned during Noah's time.  A lot of people were killed in Sodom.  I'm sure in both cases once people started to realize what was happening they were suddenly calling out to God, apologizing and begging to be saved.  What was God's answer at that point?  "Pound sand!"

And what does the last line of the above Scripture say? 

"Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed."

Have you accepted Jesus yet?  I wouldn't wait if I were you.  All you have to do is ask Jesus to come in to your life and lead you.  Have a conversation with Jesus.  "Dear Jesus…."

Seems like diametrically opposed commands doesn't it?

‘Execute true justice,     Show mercy and compassion…"

How do you do that exactly?  Aren't those two commands diametrically opposed? 

Zechariah 7:8-9(NKJV)

Then the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying, 

“Thus says the Lord of hosts:      ‘Execute true justice,     Show mercy and compassion     Everyone to his brother.

Justice

1. the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness:

to uphold the justice of a cause.

2. rightfulness or lawfulness, as of a claim or title; justness of ground or reason:

to complain with justice.

3. the moral principle determining just conduct.
4. conformity to this principle, as manifested in conduct; just conduct, dealing, or treatment.
5. the administering of deserved punishment or reward.
6. the maintenance or administration of what is just by law, as by judicial or other proceedings:

a court of justice.

7. judgment of persons or causes by judicial process:

to administer justice in a community.

From <http://www.dictionary.com/browse/justice>

So it would seem to me that if one is to execute "true justice" one would need to stick to the principals of justice as set forth in the definition.

mercy

1. compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence:

Have mercy on the poor sinner.

2. the disposition to be compassionate or forbearing:

an adversary wholly without mercy.

3. the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment, especially to send to prison rather than invoke the death penalty.
4. an act of kindness, compassion, or favor:

She has performed countless small mercies for her friends and neighbors.

5. something that gives evidence of divine favor; blessing:

It was just a mercy we had our seat belts on when it happened.

From <http://www.dictionary.com/browse/mercy?s=ts>

compassion

1. a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

From <http://www.dictionary.com/browse/compassion>

Here is my take on it.  Justice is the guiding principal.  The way I reach that conclusion is that we even explain the need for Jesus as our Savior as part of God's absolute fealty to the principal of justice.  A blood price had to be paid.  In the past it was the blood of animals who paid it.  And then Jesus came along and paid the price for all who choose to follow Him.
 

But then those who are aggrieved or those who are tasked with administering justice are given the ability to apply mercy and compassion in cases that they feel it is warranted to reach true justice. 

For example people who commit crimes while they are mentally ill are guilty of the crimes but they are not held accountable for their actions because of their mental illness.  Does that mean that they get out of punishment all together?  Not necessarily.   It may just mean that instead of going to jail they go to a mental institution where they are locked up as if they are in jail but they can get treatment.

I think the danger here in trying to fulfill both commands is the mistaken belief that people should always receive mercy and compassion.  That they should never be held accountable to justice because you know, it just wasn't their fault….time after time after time.  We see that in our revolving door criminal justice system. 

Justice comes in many forms.  Here is an example.  People who don't bother to graduate from high school and then complain about how unfair life is because they are poor.  No, life isn't unfair.  That is justice in action.  You failed to prepare yourself to succeed and now you are paying the price for those decisions.  Justice! 

Many seem to think that it is compassionate to tell people in a situation like this, "there, there, it isn't your fault" when it clearly is.

So while we should always look for ways to be merciful and compassionate I think we also should be well aware that in many cases the most merciful and compassionate thing we can do for people is let them face true justice head on! 

Make sense? 

This is a funny thing for a Socialist to say!

Back to the eternal question of "is Christianity socialist or capitalist?  There are plenty of Scriptures that can back up both sides of the argument.  Here are some words from Jesus that would seem to be an awfully strange thing for a socialist to say. 

Luke 8:17-18(NKJV)

For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. 

Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”

Who is to blame for those who aren't saved?

I think I wrote about this issue recently but I ran across this Scripture today and wanted to comment on it.  There are many that ask what seems to be a very logical question. 

2 Peter 3:9(NKJV)

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

The question is if the above is true then why does anyone really go to hell?  Here is the answer!

Luke 13:32-35(NKJV)

And He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’ 

Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! 

See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

Right there in a nutshell.  God will not force salvation on you.  The reason some people go to hell is that they chose to.  The offer of Salvation is there for all to accept.  Those who reject it have no one to blame but themselves. 

Are these verses speaking of the Holy Trinity?

The very last verse is what I find interesting.  Is it referring to the Holy Trinity?  And if so, who are the two anointed ones and who is Lord of the whole earth?  Take a look and I will comment on the other side.

Zechariah 4:1-6(NKJV)

Now the angel who talked with me came back and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep. 

And he said to me, “What do you see?” So I said, “I am looking, and there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. 

Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left.” 

So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, “What are these, my lord?”

Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.”

So he answered and said to me:      “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:     ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’     Says the Lord of hosts.

Zechariah 4:11-14(NKJV)

Then I answered and said to him, “What are these two olive trees—at the right of the lampstand and at its left?” 

And I further answered and said to him, “What are these two olive branches that drip into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which the golden oil drains?”

Then he answered me and said, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.”

So he said, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.”

I could see this working two ways with the first one being the most logical.  God would be the Lord of the whole earth while Jesus and the Holy Spirit would be the two anointed ones. 

The second but less likely interpretation could be that Jesus is the Lord of the whole earth because this is His Kingdom, with God and the Holy Spirit being the two anointed ones. 

I'll have to keep an eye out for future Scriptures that confirm or deny my interpretation. 

Notice that Jesus doesn't pussyfoot around.

I love the way Jesus deals with those who oppose Him.  Notice that Jesus doesn't soften His message and tell them that it will all be OK whether they believe Him or not.  Nope.  Jesus doesn't do that.  What does Jesus do?  He takes them head on!

Luke 11:39-45(NKJV)

Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness. 

Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? 

But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you.

“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 

Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. 

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.”

Then one of the lawyers answered and said to Him, “Teacher, by saying these things You reproach us also.”

So many in Christianity today go out of their way to avoid offending as if offending all by itself is "unChristian".  Well here is a question.  If Jesus Christ Himself on occasion purposely offended to get His message across then how can it be "unChristian'? 

Now mind you I'm not saying we should go around offending people all the time on purpose just for the fun of it.  I'm just saying that the modern Christian reflexive angst about giving offense to anyone is wrong.  We should not soften the message of Christ just to avoid offending.  Jesus didn't do it and neither should we.  Make sense? 

How do you reconcile these two Scriptures?

How do you reconcile these two Scriptures?

Luke 12:51-53(NKJV)

Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 

For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 

Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

2 Peter 3:8-9(NKJV)

But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

I personally think that Christianity today puts way too much emphasis on the second Scripture and almost totally disregards the first.  One of the phrases that you hear to describe Jesus is "Prince of Peace".  That seems odd to me when Jesus himself as reported in more than one Gospel says point blank; "Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. "

So which is it?  Or is it both?

I think it is both.  Jesus came to make people choose.  From that standpoint Jesus is very divisive.  You have to choose.  No more riding the fences.  You are either for Him or against Him. 

On the other hand He wants to see as many repent and come to Him as possible so He is patient.  Notice however that He doesn't lower the standards while waiting for as many as possible to be saved.  They still have to come to Jesus through repentance.

The problem I have with much of Christianity today is that instead of telling the story of the Gospel and letting people choose, modern Christianity does way too much to blur the lines and make all religions the same so that people don't have to choose.  In other words they continually water down the Gospel to make it more palatable in my opinion. 

So how is Jesus the Prince of Peace?  In my view He is the Prince of Peace from the standpoint that all who embrace Jesus will experience the "peace that surpasses all understanding".  Have you experienced that yet?  If not why not have a chat with Jesus about it.  "Dear Jesus…." 

Do you believe the Holy Spirit reveals things to you?

Luke 2:25-26(NKJV)

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 

And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 

Have you ever experienced the Holy Spirit communicating with you directly, revealing things to you?  I have many times and it is incredibly cool.  If you haven't experienced it yet, keep studying God's Word, doing all you can to draw yourself closer to Him.  The more you seek Him the more that will be revealed to you by the Holy Spirit.

That is a promise from God!

I am once again struck by Jesus explicit instructions on how to conduct ministry!

I am once again struck by the difference between the way Jesus explicitly told His disciples to conduct ministry and the way it is done today in much of the Christian world.

Luke 10:1-16(NKJV)

After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 

Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 

Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 

Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 

But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 

And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. 

And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. 

Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. 

And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 

But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, 

‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.’ 

But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 

But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 

And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. 

He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”

Here is what I get out of this.  In much of Christianity today I see churches doing everything they can to "make the message of Christ more palatable" for the people of today.  I believe they spend way too much time watering down the message and trying to talk people into believing.  Now let's look at what Jesus told His disciples to do.

I will paraphrase here.  Jesus said spread the word.  Those who accept the word, give them My peace.  Those who reject the word, withhold My peace.

Notice that Jesus didn't say give them My peace no matter what they do?  Nope He didn't say that.  He said NEXT!  Spread the word.  Don't lose any sleep over those who reject it.  Move on and SPREAD THE WORD!!!

God respects their free will to reject Him and I think we should too!

Anyway that is my take on it!

"All the earth shall be devoured"

Is this a bit of prophecy about the "new Heaven and new earth" that John speaks of in Revelation?  Seems like it could be to me.  

Zephaniah 3:8-11(NKJV)

    “Therefore wait for Me,” says the Lord,      “Until the day I rise up for plunder;     My determination is to gather the nations     To My assembly of kingdoms,     To pour on them My indignation,     All My fierce anger;     All the earth shall be devoured     With the fire of My jealousy.

    “For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language,      That they all may call on the name of the Lord,     To serve Him with one accord.

    From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia     My worshipers,     The daughter of My dispersed ones,     Shall bring My offering.

    In that day you shall not be shamed for any of your deeds     In which you transgress against Me;     For then I will take away from your midst     Those who rejoice in your pride,     And you shall no longer be haughty     In My holy mountain.

Can you imagine?

Sadly, yes I can.  This is the story of Jesus casting demons out of the guy in to the pigs.  All the people come out to see Jesus and what do they do?

Luke 8:34-37(NKJV)

When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. 

Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 

They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. 

Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.

They had Jesus right there in their midst and the people ask Him to take a hike, to leave.  I look at that and think how crazy is this?  Jesus heals a guy that nobody else could heal and instead of being grateful and asking Jesus to stay they want him to leave. 

Sadly it happens all the time even today.  Think of all the people who have heard of Jesus and even witnessed His miracles in their own lives or in the lives of people they know and yet instead of embracing Jesus they reject Him.

Sad.  Really sad. 

Are words necessary or is a change of heart all that is needed?

I may have written about this recently, not sure.  Anyway it is something that I have been pondering for a while.  Here is the question.  Are words necessary or is a change of heart good enough? 

Here is what I mean by that.  I think it is accepted dogma in the Christian faith that you have to specifically ask Jesus into your life.  Believe in your heart and confess with your mouth and all of that.  And right along with that I have always believed that we have to request that our sins be forgiven. 

Well here is the funny thing.  I have found several places where it seems to me that Jesus is saying "actions speak louder than words, close enough".  That the exact method isn't that important.  It's almost like the whole have to say it thing is more of a "Pharisee" requirement.  Read this passage and then I'll explain what I mean.

Luke 7:36-48(NKJV)

Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. 

And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 

and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. 

Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”

And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.”

“There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 

And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”

Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” 

Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 

You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 

You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 

Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

So in this example the woman never asks for forgiveness.  Yet through her actions she shows where her heart is and as we know, with Jesus, it is a heart issue more than anything else.  He tells her that her sins are forgiven. 

Now don't get me wrong.  I'm not saying that you don't have to believe Jesus was the Son of God.  I believe you absolutely do.  I'm just not sure that you have to do it in the exact way with the secret handshake if you know what I mean.     

I know that there is Scripture that specifically says you have to believe in your heart and say with your mouth.  Unfortunately I can't find where Jesus Himself says that.  I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with saying it.  I'm just saying that based on what I have read from Jesus Himself it may not be absolutely necessary.  It's more of a heart issue with Jesus.

Oh well, something that bears further study.

God made us to be achievers!

It has always been my belief that God did not make us so be people who settle for.  God made us to be achievers.  Just ran across a Scripture that confirms that belief.

Zephaniah 1:12(NKJV)

    “And it shall come to pass at that time      That I will search Jerusalem with lamps,     And punish the men     Who are settled in complacency,     Who say in their heart,     ‘The Lord will not do good,     Nor will He do evil.’