You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the LORD your God what you have promised with your mouth. Deuteronomy 23:23 (ESV)
We should be people of our word, this is why Jesus said we should just be clear in saying yes and no in Matthew 5:37
“If a man is found stealing one of his brothers of the people of Israel, and if he treats him as a slave or sells him, then that thief shall die. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. Deuteronomy 24:7 (ESV)
This was a law to protect Israelite society from tyranny. The principle can be applied to all nations, it is a sin before God to steal people and sell them into slavery as was done int he 19th century slave trade and the modern day sex slave trade.
“Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for his own sin. Deuteronomy 24:16 (ESV)
God requires each of us to take personal responsibility for our own sin, we can not say it’s all my dad’s fault etc (Our culture encourages us to blame everyone but ourselves)
For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV)
There must be an urgency in sharing the Gospel, we need to let people know that salvation is offered to them today, and that tomorrow has no guarantees for any of us, death could come without us expecting it.
as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. 2 Corinthians 6:10 (ESV)
This is the end of Paul’s list of great struggles, and the mirrored list of how to overcome those struggles which include purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God. We can take encouragement as we go through difficulty that God will give us these same tools to overcome.
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