Sunday, August 19, 2007

FWD: Morning Manna (Aug. 20); BP: Jude; RBTTY: I Cor. 3; Ps. 105-106

 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 



-----Original Message-----
From: "Apostle Tom" <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sun, 19 Aug 2007 16:35:50 -0500
To: pressingon@hotmail.com
Subject: Morning Manna (Aug. 20); BP: Jude; RBTTY: I Cor. 3; Ps. 105-106
 
 
August 20 “On Making A Difference”  
“And of some have compassion, making a  
difference.”  
Jude 22  
It only takes a little effort, but it could make an eternal impact.  
Kindness.  
It seems it’s becoming a scarce commodity nowadays in this dog-eat-dog,  
“I Did It My Way” world of ours: People cutting in front of us in line or  
cutting us off on the highway. . .acting “put-out” when we ask them for the  
time or directions. . .forgetting to say “Thank you” when someone’s done  
something for them. . .acting like “I deserve a break today” just because of  
who they are, etc.  
 
But, we don’t have to give back “in kind,” do we, Pilgrim?  
No, not at all. Today’s Manna reminds us of our “righteous, reciprocal  
response” and how our showing compassion can really make a difference in  
someone else’s life. And, it’ll certainly make a difference in ours!  
 
Jude, the shortest book in the Bible along with Philemon, may be small  
in size, but gigantic in truth. Although there’s debate as to the author’s  
identity, most scholars conclude he was one of Jesus’ brothers (Mt. 13:55;  
Mk. 6:3) and James was his older brother. Regardless, his message is  
succinct and straightforward: “Fight! Contend! Give it all you’ve  
got!”—for apostasy and false teachings were rampant and true, born-again  
Christians can ill-afford to sit around, doing nothing when evil is raging.  
 
In instructing his readers (and us) on how to recognize false teachings  
and their false doctrine (vv.1-16), he also laid out the type of life that  
every believer should live (vv.17-23). We shouldn’t be surprised that this  
included “building ourselves up in our most holy faith, praying in the Holy  
Spirit, keeping ourselves in the love of God and looking for Christ’s mercy”  
(vv.20-21).  
 
And, then he inserts today’s Manna: “And on some, show compassion  
(Grk. ‘eleeo’—‘to have pity on, show mercy toward, etc.’), making a  
difference.” Who were these ones on whom we’re to show compassion? Our  
fellow believers? Most certainly; however, in the context, it’s clear he’s  
talking about those who are doubters and distracters.  
 
Not easy to do, is it, Pilgrim? Not hardly.  
It’s easy to show kindness to someone who’s shown it to us or on  
someone who’s down-and-out and unable to help themselves. However, it’s  
another thing to be compassionate toward someone who’s raked us over the  
coals with their words. . . gossiped about us behind our back. . .and gone  
out-of-the-way to try and make us miserable.  
 
But, that’s exactly what Jesus said to do, isn’t it (Mt. 5:10-12)?  
And, if we’re to truly be “blessed” and learn how to “rejoice and leap for  
joy” in times like that (Lk. 6:22-23), we’ve got to pray “Oh, Lord Jesus,  
help me today to have a heart like yours so others can see You in me.” Only  
then will we know our lives are making a difference.  
 
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