April 29, 2019 -- Proverbs 29:27 -- What disgusts you?
/An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.
Proverbs 29:27 ESV
Jesus said:
“If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you.
If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own;
but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world,
therefore the world hates you.”
John 15:18-19 ESV
One on-line dictionary describes an abomination as “a thing that causes disgust or hatred”. That is how the world regards Jesus—His teaching causes disgust and hatred. As long as people consider Jesus to be just a wise prophet or wonderful teacher who was cruelly treated and martyred there is no offense. However, Jesus Himself will not allow this. Jesus taught He is the Way to God, the only way to the Father in heaven. He taught those who follow Him must hate the world. No wonder Jesus’ teaching is an abomination to the people of the world who love their sins more.
The people in church are described in the bible as the “Bride of Christ”. They were stained and ruined by their sins. Jesus has, by the sacrifice of Himself, taken on Himself the punishment of God against our sins. Then Jesus, by His Word and Spirit, guides those who believe in Him and cleanses us. Those who follow Jesus are people who know their sins and know their need for the Saviour Who teaches a completely different way of life. The people of the world, locked in their sins, will not listen to nor obey Jesus. The people of the Way realize their sins and the greatness of the salvation Jesus brings. In gratitude to Jesus people of the Way learn to hate their sin more and more and desire to obey Jesus. People of the Way, living for Jesus do not earn a place in heaven, instead obedience to Jesus and the Bible is a response of thanks to God for rescuing us from the ruin of our sins. Obedience follows Jesus’ saving work. Faith takes hold of Jesus and believes and then faith awakened to the perfections of Jesus longs to obey Him and bless Him.
King Jesus, while this world and its pleasures are rotting and dying away, You are the Life-Giver, the fragrance of eternal life bringing blessing to the Father. Thank You God of mercy for taking us, ruined sinners, and bringing us fullness of life in Jesus Christ. Thank You God our Father and Christ the Son for generously giving us the Spirit Who helps us understand the Bible and gives us the faith and courage we need to live for Jesus no matter how the people of the world around us respond or revile us. Spirit supply our needs so completely that our thoughts and words, our actions and decisions show to the people around us the greatness of the Name of Jesus! Amen.
