Monday, January 5, 2009

Romans 2:1-11

2Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things. 2You say, “We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is in accordance with truth.” 3Do you imagine, whoever you are, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgment of God? 4Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5But by your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 6For he will repay according to each one’s deeds: 7to those who by patiently doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8while for those who are self-seeking and who obey not the truth but wickedness, there will be wrath and fury. 9There will be anguish and distress for everyone who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11For God shows no partiality.
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Are we patiently doing good? I will confess my desire for world peace, and yet nothing I ever do will achieve that grand and lofty goal. But I can contribute to it, step by loving step, offering my self and my actions to a more peaceful world. We have the option of growing frustrated with the rising level of violence around the world and screaming about it or noticing ways we can make minor differences, in the greater world and here at home. We work towards peace when we give our time, our efforts and our money to those who are in need, those who suffer, mourn and grieve. We work towards peace when we take a deep breath and react calmly. We work towards peace when we speak of the peace that passes all understanding, the peace of Christ the Lord.

Blessings

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