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Read Them Fast

We as Christians spend a lot of our time trying to figure out the meaning of Scripture verses which are not very clear. What are we going to do with these verses after we understand them? Let's consider our options:
a) Believe them.
b) Obey them.
c) Teach the meaning to someone else.
d) Debate the meaning with someone else.
Normally the vote goes to c) and d).

What about the verses which are very clear? Now c) and d) are not options, because everyone understands them. We are stuck with a), b), or both. Here is a possible evasive alternative—read them fast and don’t meditate on them!

Here is a better sequence:
Are the verses true?
Are they authoritative?
Thank God for them.
Meditate on them.
Obey them!
Please practice on the following passage:
“Then Jesus said to his host, ‘When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous’” (Luke 14:12-14).
You may ask, “Do I have to do this all of the time?” I am not sure there is anyone with authority to answer your question. Of course, if it is a rhetorical question, then you already have the answer.

Here are some questions to ask yourself about the passage:
1. Have I ever obeyed these commands of Jesus?
2. How many times?
3. Do I want to obey?
4. Do I intend to obey?
5. If so, when?
6. If so, how many banquets am I willing to provide for how many people?
7. I would rather give money to a skid row mission so they can obey this command.

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