October 29 Understanding

Luke 7:29-30 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
 
NOTE that these t wo verses are in parentheses. Our Lord has just affirmed the high calling of those who “acknowledged that God’s way was right.” Now Luke seems to pause for a moment to especially note the Jew’s faithful response to Jesus’ teaching.
   What was the outward sign of their faith? It was John’s baptism. What then was necessary for their baptism? They had to repent. And what must happen for one to repent? Their minds would understand how their sin had separated them from God. Understanding their sin against God’s law, they became eager to repent. They turned from their sins and publicly proclaimed their repentance through John’s baptism. Even the tax collectors, considered to be among the worst sinners in the Jews’ eyes, publicly confessed, “I repent of my sins.” 
   But sadly the Pharisees remained unconvinced. Their unrepentant minds stayed focused on their own laws. They missed John’s baptism. Worse, they missed the Kingdom of God.
   A constant gospel message is that there are those who hear and those who do not. This must cause us to pause and consider, “What do I believe?” Daily we must be alert to this question in two ways. First, consider your own beliefs. What do you believe of God? Is it true? Does it cause you to recognize your sins? Do you repent of those sins? If not, pray for true understanding of God’s Word.
   Second, look at others’ beliefs through God’s Word. Understand the power of unbelief over lives. Pray for the understanding of those who deny God. Hold fast to God’s Word while you examine the world’s views. Know the difference between man’s laws and God’s laws. Know with humility and certainty that you, “Acknowledge that God’s way (is) right.” in all you do.
 
Prayer: Father, continue to teach me daily of what is true. I pray I always humbly submit to you. Amen.