Reproach

A simple search in the Bible of the word reproach will yield a list of many scriptures.  Just reading several of them you'll get the impression that the word is not used in a favorable way.
There are several ways to apply the word reproach, but I would like to focus in on one particular phrase you'll see, that is being above/beyond reproach.
There are two basic way to be above/beyond reproach
1) With respect to God:

Colossians 1:21-23 (NASB)

" ²¹And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,
 ²²yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach--
 ²³if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister."
~You see we are counted "beyond reproach" in the mind of God because of the work Christ accomplished for us.

2) With respect to Man:
Philippians 2:14-16
 ^"14Do all things without grumbling or disputing;
 ¹⁵so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,
 ¹⁶holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain."
~You see we are to live lives such that we are "above reproach" in this world.

The first reproach is has been taken away for us by Christ, but I must ask...  Are you "beyond reproach" with respect to God?

The second reproach is a little bit more tricky as we must still live in this "crooked and perverse generation" and it's not so easy.  This is where the rubber meets the road and the real work (and obedience), for us, comes in.  Pray, study, then obey...  So, I must ask...  How is you reproach-able-ness (is that even a word?) with respect to man coming?

Let me know.


May God bless you,

Patrick

Getting to the heart of the Matter.

Image via Wikipedia

What is in your heart?  I mean, what's really in there, deep down inside of your heart?
I'd like to call your attention to two verses that talk about this important matter.
First is Proverbs 27:19
     "As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects man."
and the second is Luke 6:45
     "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart."


 The qualities and attributes that the Proverb writer and Jesus are teaching about are necessarily products of a good or evil heart.  Often the mouth is the primary vehicle for the evidence of either.  Many times we are judged by others, not by what we believe or what we think, but by what we say and do.  Our hearts are reflected in what we do, how we spend our time, how we talk and relate to others, what we say, what we condone and what we condemn.
My question to you is-What how is your heart being reflected?

Let me know,

Patrick

Jesus contradicts Himself???

I would like to consider two seemingly contradictory statements by Jesus found in the book of Luke
~Luke 9:50 "...for he who is not against you is for you." (Context Luke 9:46-50)
~Luke 11:23 "He who is not with Me is against Me..." (Context Luke 11:14-23)

     It seems as though we have a contradiction here!  However, we can't just cut out little snippets of scripture, compare them and draw a conclusion.  We must consider the context!
     In the first passage the disciples were complaining to Jesus because they saw a man casting out demons in the name of Christ who was not a part of their group.  They wanted to stop him, but Christ says no.  This man is obviously a believer (he's casting out in the name of Jesus).  Jesus is not stating a general truism here.  Remember He's talking to a specific group of people (his disciples) and trying to get His point across.  His point is that we must guard against pride in our group and position (as the disciples were guilty of here).  We should not stand in the way of those who are doing kingdom work.  I would like to note, though, that this is not an invitation to accept denominationalism and divisions.  We must be unified in Christ.
     In the second passage we have Jesus himself casting out demons, yet people are refusing to believe in Him (many were actually attributing His power to Satan).  Jesus is making the point that people have to make a choice...  Are you going to follow Christ or not?  If you choose to follow Christ then you're "with Him," but if you choose not to follow Christ then, by process of elimination, you're "against Him."  There is no middle, luke-warm ground. 
     So while on the surface we seem to have two passages that contradict one another, they are actually  consistent with Jesus' teachings, upon further investigation, .
     My question to you is, where do you fall in relation tothese passages?
    ~Do you find yourself being prideful in your group or associations?
    ~Do you find yourself being prideful in your position or responsibilities?
    ~Do you find yourself looking down on others who have a "lower" rank?
    ~Who are you going to choose?

Thoughts????

Patrick Antonucci