Raca was an Aramaic term of contempt meaning stupid. But Jesus was more concerned here with the term Moros – You fool – being thrown around. Moros was actually a more serious reproach than Raca as it conveyed a person being morally worthless… a scorning of the person’s very heart and character. The Lord was warning of the dangers of character assassination…of killing the very spirit of a person with angry words.
Tag: jesus christ our lord
Mark 10:17 ” As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up to Him and fell on his knees before Him. ‘Good Teacher,’ he asked, ‘What must I do to inherit eternal life?’ “
“What must I do?” The short answer to the question is that you can’t do anything. No amount of good works will get you any closer to the promised land and the peace you seek. The only thing you can do is to say Yes to Jesus, turn from your sinful life, and come into agreement with Him that you can’t run your miserable life anymore.
Romans 10:9 ” That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Do you admit that you’ve been living a life far from God? Do you accept the fact that you’ve made a mess of your life so far? Do you acknowledge that Jesus came into this fallen world to save your soul from eternal damnation and hell? Do you recognize that saying yes to Jesus and turning from your old life isn’t the end but just the beginning of a brand new life…a life filled with peace rather than strife, and love where there was loneliness and fear. Do you agree that you need a Savior today?
Romans 5:8 ” But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
God’s love for you was being manifested even while you were far from Him…His care and kindness were being revealed, even while you used His name in vain and scorned His very existence. Yes, over the course of your life God has continued to make it very clear that He loves you…to the point, that if you were the only person on earth – Jesus would have died to save your soul.
Hebrews 10: 37-38 ” For in just a very little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay. But My righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.”
In these scriptures, Paul is quoting Habakkuk 2:3-4 to help explain that justification is by faith alone, not by works. No amount of good deeds and clean living will make me right before God…for it’s only by trust and faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, that I’m saved.
John 10: 27-28 ” My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand.”
Elsewhere in John, Jesus proclaimed,”…that I shall lose none of all that He has given Me.” We can not be deprived of eternal life. We can not be plucked out of God’s hand. Our salvation is secure…our soul redeemed.
Lamentations 3: 55-57 ” I called on Your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: ‘Do not close Your ears to my cry for relief.’ You came near when I called You, and You said, ‘Do not fear.’ “
The Hebrews conceived of death as a giant pit. And when we’re in the darkest deeps of that pit mentality and emotionally…when depression and disappointment have taken over our lives, we have only one thing we can do. Out of the very depths of that hole we must cry out to the Lord… for He will hear us, listen to our pleas, and bring peace as only He can.
I Corinthians 16: 13-14 ” Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.”
As a Christian, are you a leader or a follower? If your group of friends are doing something that you don’t agree with, do you stand up for your faith, or do you just remain quiet and compromise? This scripture tells us to be cautious on how we conduct ourselves and lead our lives. In any questionable situation we should be asking ourselves…would Jesus do this?
Deuteronomy 5:32 ” So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left.”
It takes real self-discipline to keep the ways of the Lord. We need to remain faithful, not veering off track when our eye catches a glimpse of something enticing…for that can be our downfall. Our gaze must remain straight ahead, for the way is narrow and evil lurks on either side.
John 14:2 ” In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”
We all long for a place to call our own. A safe, quiet place, full of peace and security, where we can feel loved. That’s what your Heavenly Father is making ready for you right now. A place for you to dwell and remain in, not like anything else you’ve ever lived in before. It is beyond anything you can imagine…but it will be perfect for you in every way.
Safetypinlove 