The Pharisees, who
were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. And he
said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows
your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of
God. The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the
kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it. But it is
easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become
void” (Luke 16:14-17).
The Pharisees had a hard time understanding
and receiving the things Jesus was teaching about stewardship of earthly things
like money and material things. They were enslaved by a temporal worldview that
kept them from grasping spiritual truth… “The natural person does not
accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is
not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1
Corinthians 2:14). The freedom from such blindness and slavery to deception
lies in God’s Word… “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).
That’s why Jesus responded to the Pharisee’s ridicule with an admonition to
renounce the foolishness and deception that is exalted by the world and to seek
the truth that is exalted in God’s eyes, that is revealed in His law, the word
of His prophets, and the good news proclaimed by His Son. The Spirit of Truth
echoes this important truth through the inspired words of the Apostle Paul… “Do
not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and
acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). For culture shaping,
kingdom building disciples everywhere, abiding in His word promises to grow our
faith and empower us with the worldview that is esteemed by God.
Loyal disciples are obedient to God’s law.
Here Jesus said “The Law and the Prophets were until John”, but
we know He did not mean the law had come to an end because He also said… “It
is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to
become void”. For Christ’s disciples God’s law is an everlasting
standard of holiness and perfection… “You therefore must be perfect, as
your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). As we study and
strive to obey God’s law we discover and reflect the amazing mercy and grace of
Jesus Christ, the One who fulfills the law for us… “Do not think that I
have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them
but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17). Our homes, neighborhoods,
workplaces, and world are confronted by the increasing presence of Christ’s
grace in and through us as we learn to love and strive to obey God’s law.
Learning disciples are hungry for the word
of God’s prophets. Jesus also said He came to fulfill the word of the
prophets. God inspired the prophets to describe the life and ministry of Christ
in such revealing detail that people would recognize Him… “And beginning
with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures
the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). Devoted disciples that
desire to know Christ more intimately are diligent in their study of the
scriptures… “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you
have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me” (John 5:39).
As we gaze intently into the face of Christ revealed by the prophets, the Holy
Spirit transforms us into His image… “And we all, with unveiled face,
beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from
one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit”
(2 Corinthians 3:18). Our families, friends, coworkers, and even strangers
will take notice as we become more like Christ and we are set apart by the word
of God’s prophets.
Loving disciples are consistently sharing
God’s good news. Transformed disciples become culture transformers as we
share the transforming gospel of the kingdom of God… “These men who have
turned the world upside down have come here also” (Acts 17:6). Our
world and everyone in it will be eternally impacted as we seize every
opportunity to share the soul saving gospel of God’s kingdom.
As we grow up into Christ, we become more
effective culture shaping kingdom builders as we adopt…
The Worldview that is Esteemed by God.
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