Living it Out (Matthew 5:21-32)

The Lord has created human beings to be creative.  This is good because it enables us to create, to build, and to live out what it is to be in the image of God.  However, the down side of this is that we are creative in how we apply the law of God.  If we are seeking to use the law lawfully that is great, but the problem is that we can set up our own standard that is not intended in the law of God.  We might wonder why we would do such a thing, but we find that answer when Christ lays out the intention of the law.  How can we be faithful disciples when the Law of God is impossibly rigorous?  

What Must We do to be Saved? (Mark 10:13-31)

The reality is that if we ask the wrong question we are more than likely to arrive at the wrong answer.  If we desire to find the right answers it is best to ask the right questions.  This is what we find with the wealthy man who approaches Christ about salvation.  He thinks that the answer is simple so his question is simple.  In his understanding he has done all that is required for life.  However, when Christ points out the bigger picture even the disciples are confused by the answer.  So, what must we do to be saved and have life?  How can we as Americans enter the Kingdom of God if a camel cannot go through the eye of a needle?

Blessed by Marriage or Freed through Divorce? (Mark 10:1-12)

So often we use the law of God to find loopholes and technicalities.  I think that many times we like the letter of the law because it narrows the sharpness of its requirement.  But, how do we order our lives by the law of God when it seems contradictory?  For instance Christ gives permission for divorce if there is an adulterous relationship.  The Apostle Paul allows for divorce if the unbeliever cannot live with the believer.  Yet, Christ states that, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.”  How do we reconcile these teachings on divorce and order our lives when they seem to contradict one another?