Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2, NKJV)rev

Crime and punishment: That has long been one of the most difficult issues facing our social relationships. “Do unto others” - Yea, verily! But not according to the Golden Rule, which emphasizes doing good. More often it is “Tit for Tat” and “This for That.” The old adage of “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” “Don’t just get mad”, they say; “Get even!” We are typically quick to judgment, but slow on mercy. A common adage is, “What we sow, so shall we reap,” and multiple millions of persons can testify to this reality.
While some suffering can be directly traced to sin, natural evil comes without a moral agent: A tower falls, an earthquake shakes, a tornado destroys, a hurricane ravages, a spider bites, a disease debilitates and kills. The world is filled with wonders mixed with dangers. Gravity can save you or gravity can kill you. When a tower falls, it kills. Some persons suffer innocently by the sinful acts of others.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus mentioned an example of such a tragedy when he was told about some Galilean insurgents who were killed by the Romans. Those who told Jesus this may have expected him to say that their deaths were punishment for their rebellious and belligerent behavior. Jesus replied that they were not more sinful than other Galileans, nor were the eighteen killed in the collapse of the tower of Siloam. Jesus taught that death can come upon anyone, regardless of how sinful they are. He went on to teach that the need for all people to repent is the true lesson from such tragedies.(Luke 13:1-5)
One common belief, both in our time and in Jesus’ day, relates to individual or collective misfortune. “Who sinned?, the disciples asked, expressing a trend of thinking that physical limitations, like deafness, or blindness, were served up by God as punishment for sin. Some Christians, like Job’s “friends, simply explain suffering as the consequence of sins, known or unknown. In reality, tragedy occurs whether or not a person or country is either innocent or guilty of sin.
In John 9, a man is blind from birth, and Jesus tells the Twelve that this blindness cannot be traced back to this man's sin, or that of his parents. A common saying in the time of the Old Testament prophets concerned sins of parents inflicted upon their children. Jeremiah writes that a day is coming when “People will no longer say, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’
Instead, everyone will die for his own sin; whoever eats sour grapes - his own teeth will be set on edge.” (Jeremiah 31:29-30) Even then, prophesy foretold Jesus’ words, that through repentance, and God’s Grace, The Lord will “forgive iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34b.)
What should we, as faithful Christians, do in regard to the supposed sins of others? First of all, pray for your enemies - and sinners. In the words of Leviticus 19:18 "'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.” and in Deuteronomy 32:35, ”It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them."
Paul wrote, “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
(Romans 12:19 -21)

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: Ezekiel wrote, “What do you mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: ‘The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?“ Ezekiel 18:2, NIV

I have observed that most people, including myself, become very uncomfortable when there are no benchmarks. We all want something that serves as a standard by which to measure or judge. A common reference point.
When we go into a new situation, we want to know what the accepted customs are. Visiting a foreign country can bring about “culture shock,” often in unexpected ways. For example, when my son and I were visiting with some people in Latvia, one man noted that we said we were married, but were not wearing wedding rings. “Oh, yes we are,” we said, holding up our left hands. He looked startled. Then it was our turn to be surprised. He held up his right hand, indicating the custom in use in Latvia; wedding rings on the right hand.
The French use the word “gauche” to describe someone lacking social experience or grace. Manners matter! One of the benchmarks for polite society has long been instruction in, and observance of, customary practice, rite, or ceremony. Those who lacked, or failed to display, the niceties of etiquette were, well, gauche. That is ‘gross’ without the ‘r’! Riff-raff, low-life.
What can we say to one who literally tears apart Miss Manner’s book? “Didn’t your parents teach you to . . . ?” While that may indeed be a fact, and the parents may be a mirror image of their offspring’s behavior, it is the particular individual at fault who must bear the burden in each situation. In other words, “Your mother doesn’t work here; pick up your own mess.” When we stand in the judgment, casting blame just won’t work as an excuse. Ezekiel shares God’s word on this matter; take time to read the 18th chapter of Ezekiel in the Bible. The people were blaming their parents for their current suffering, complaining that God was holding them accountable for the sins committed by preceding generations.
God set a benchmark: “The soul who sins is the one who will die (vs, 4.) A righteous man will live, even if his son is violent and commits many sins.
Likewise, a righteous son of a sinful man will be judged on his own life, and not that of his father.
The benchmark is repeated again in verses 19 and 20: (If)“the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, or the father share the guilt of the son.” That is the benchmark by which we will be judged when we stand before the Throne. Our life, and no other’s.
If you are making New Year’s resolutions, you are setting benchmarks. Set them firmly, and observe them faithfully!
December 28, 2003