Three for the price of one: Vanity; Love; and Holiness

 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 1:2 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/ecc.1.2.ESV

'God wants you to be healthy, wealthy and happy' says the charlatan. 'Meaningless' says the Biblical preacher. This worldly life is ultimately meaningless.

It doesn't matter whether we're healthy or sick, rich or poor, happy or sad. This life is meaningless without God. We can try, like the preacher, to find meaning in all sorts of other things, but we will inevitably fail.

The preacher tried and failed to find meaning in all sorts of things that conveniently begin with w. Wine, women, wealth, work and even wisdom are all vain outside of God. Thankfully, the preacher discovered true meaning.

The meaning of life is to worship God, whether we're healthy or sick, rich or poor, happy or sad. He is worthy of our worship, for He sent His Son to give His life for us. He is eternally worthy of our worship and in Him we find meaning and purpose.

'God Almighty, help us find the meaning and purpose we need in life in You, for You have given Your Son's life for us, in whose name we pray, amen'
 

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord.
Leviticus 19:18 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/lev.19.18.ESV

If someone wrongs us, we want to wrong them back right? Well Biblically, being vengeful is wrong. Revenge is God's job, because He's perfectly just.

This verse isn't saying we shouldn't seek justice. It's just saying we shouldn't be all vigilante about it. Neither should we harbour bitterness and resentment in our hearts, that fester like a cancer.

Thankfully, this verse gives a positive alternative to vengeful begrudgement! Instead of hating on people, we're to forgivingly love them. We can still seek justice for them, but we're not to hate them in our hearts.

Why should we love others? Because the Lord is God, and God is love. We ought to love others as He loved us and gave Himself for us.

'Loving heavenly Father, may we love others as You have loved us and given Your Son for us. For the glory of Your name we pray, amen'
 

You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.
Leviticus 20:26 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/lev.20.26.ESV

What is a better motivator: death, or life? If I told you not to murder because you'll be executed, it might stop you. Yet if I tell you that life is a sacred gift to be treasured, that will probably motivate you better.

In Leviticus, adultery is punishable by death, because we are to be holy. Being punished by death doesn't make us holy however. Jesus shows us a better way.

Jesus didn't condemn the woman caught in adultery to death. Instead, He commanded her to leave her life of sin. In doing so, He was the pioneer of restorative justice.

God has separated His people: former adulterers and tax collectors etc. from the religious and political powers that be. The holier than thou crew are those who crucified Christ. He bore sinners sins on the cross so we can be holy.

'Holy Lord, we want to be like You, because we want to be Yours. We want to glorify You in our lives, for Jesus' sake, amen'


April 16th



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