Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus …
Summary: There is a big difference between the law and faith. Paul explains the gift we receive when we put our trust in Jesus.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:14a – A Light for the Gentiles”… because “the righteous will live by faith.”
Summary: Today, Paul presents us with a kind of “chicken and egg” conundrum. Are the righteous righteous because they are righteous, or are they righteous because they have faith?
Continue reading “Galatians 3:11b – Amos and his Grandma”So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
Summary: In this passage Paul outlines the basic challenge that confronts all humanity. Who do we trust? Ourselves or our Lord?
Continue reading “Galatians 2:16b – Innocent Before God”[Follow God’s example,] therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love,
Summary: Understanding what love is requires a knowledge of the different kinds of love. When we understand that, we can better understand the way of love that Paul wants us to follow.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:1b-2a – The Way of Love”“In your anger do not sin”
Summary: There is a right way to be angry and a wrong way. Most of the time, we humans end up doing it the wrong way.
Continue reading “Ephesians 4:26a – Anger Checked”
…and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
Summary: Who is God holding for the day of judgment? It is an important question that deserves some consideration.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:9b — The Righteousness Equations”
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous …”
Summary: In which we revisit 1 Peter 3:12 (a) and further explore the topic of righteousness.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:12 (a) II — Confession”
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous …
Summary: ”Righteousness” is one of those words with multiple meanings. We are not righteous under the law, but we are righteous in God’s eyes when we accept his Son and set our eyes on his will.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:12 (a) — Slaves to Righteousness”
Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
The Big Picture
As I read this passage, the Pharisees of Jesus’ day come to mind. They seemed to think of themselves as righteous. They certainly acted like they thought they were God’s gift to humanity. Yet, what they did in conspiring against Jesus was very wicked.
Among all the righteous men who have ever lived, Jesus is by far the most righteous of all. Being without sin, he defines what it means to be righteous. It might be unfair to compare these people to this verse, but it might also open the door to understanding something about God’s perspective.
Continue reading “Psalm Sunday – Psalm 1: 4-6”