{"id":3051,"date":"2013-12-13T23:29:57","date_gmt":"2013-12-13T17:29:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intelligent-torvalds.74-208-171-134.plesk.page\/?p=3051"},"modified":"2023-04-26T15:53:47","modified_gmt":"2023-04-26T20:53:47","slug":"romans-part-49","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/?p=3051","title":{"rendered":"Romans, Part 49"},"content":{"rendered":"

If<\/i> [the gift<\/a>] is showing mercy<\/i> (\u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u1ff6\u03bd, a form of \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ad\u03c9),[1]<\/sup><\/a> he must do so with cheerfulness<\/i>.[2]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 This is my gift, the one given to me.\u00a0 It is the way I see Jesus and his Father.\u00a0 It is the way I see the world.\u00a0 It is my bias. \u00a0Blessed are the merciful<\/i> (\u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ae\u03bc\u03bf\u03bd\u03b5\u03c2, a form of \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ae\u03bc\u03c9\u03bd),[3]<\/sup><\/a> for they will be shown mercy<\/i> (\u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03b7\u03b8\u03ae\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9, a form of \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ad\u03c9).[4]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Given that bias it is probably good to start with something I do not mean by mercy<\/i>.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave mercy<\/i> (\u1f10\u03bb\u03ad\u03b7\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd, a form of \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ad\u03c9) on us, Son of David!\u201d<\/i>[5]<\/sup><\/a> two blind men shouted.\u00a0 Jesus said to them, \u201cDo you believe that I am able to do this?\u201d\u00a0 They said to him, \u201cYes, Lord.\u201d \u00a0Then he touched their eyes saying, \u201cLet it be done for you according to your faith.\u201d \u00a0And their eyes were opened<\/i>.[6]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

The blind men asked Jesus for mercy, believed He was able to do what they asked, and received the mercy they asked for, according to <\/i>[their] faith<\/i>.\u00a0 And I don\u2019t want anything to do with this kind of faith or this kind of mercy.<\/p>\n

Jesus sternly warned<\/i> (\u1f10\u03bd\u03b5\u03b2\u03c1\u03b9\u03bc\u03ae\u03b8\u03b7, a form of \u1f10\u03bc\u03b2\u03c1\u03b9\u03bc\u03ac\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9)[7]<\/sup><\/a> them, \u201cSee that no one knows about this.\u201d<\/i>[8]<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0But they disobeyed Him; they went out and spread the news about him throughout that entire region<\/i>.[9]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

As he was entering a village, ten men with leprosy met him.\u00a0 They stood at a distance, raised their voices and said, \u201cJesus, Master, have mercy<\/i> (\u1f10\u03bb\u03ad\u03b7\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd, a form of \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ad\u03c9) on us.\u201d \u00a0When he saw them he said, \u201cGo and show yourselves to the priests.\u201d<\/i>[10]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 It took some faith to obey Jesus, to go back to priests who were likely to tell them what they already knew, that they were leprous. \u00a0And as they went along, they were cleansed<\/i>.[11]<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0You see that<\/i> [their] faith was working together with<\/i> [their] works and<\/i> [their] faith was perfected by works<\/a><\/i>.[12]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Then one of them, when he saw he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. \u00a0He fell with his face to the ground at Jesus\u2019 feet and thanked him.\u00a0 (Now he was a Samaritan.) \u00a0Then Jesus said, \u201cWere not ten cleansed?\u00a0 Where are the other nine? \u00a0Was no one found to turn back and give praise to God except this foreigner?\u201d<\/i>[13]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Assuming that the other nine were descendants of Israel, they may have been too busy to turn back and give praise to God<\/i>, too busy trying to make themselves worthy of the mercy Jesus had shown them, too busy obeying the law (Leviticus 14:1-20 NET):<\/p>\n

The Lord spoke to Moses: \u201cThis is the law of the diseased person on the day of his purification, when he is brought to the priest. \u00a0The priest is to go outside the camp and examine the infection. \u00a0If the infection of the diseased person has been healed, then the priest will command that two live clean birds, a piece of cedar wood, a scrap of crimson fabric, and some twigs of hyssop be taken up for the one being cleansed. \u00a0The priest will then command that one bird be slaughtered into a clay vessel over fresh water. \u00a0Then he is to take the live bird along with the piece of cedar wood, the scrap of crimson fabric, and the twigs of hyssop, and he is to dip them and the live bird in the blood of the bird slaughtered over the fresh water, and sprinkle it seven times on the one being cleansed from the disease, pronounce him clean, and send the live bird away over the open countryside.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe one being cleansed must then wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and bathe in water, and so be clean. \u00a0Then afterward he may enter the camp, but he must live outside his tent seven days. \u00a0When the seventh day comes he must shave all his hair \u2013 his head, his beard, his eyebrows, all his hair \u2013 and he must wash his clothes, bathe his body in water, and so be clean.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the eighth day he must take two flawless male lambs, one flawless yearling female lamb, three-tenths of an ephah of choice wheat flour as a grain offering mixed with olive oil, and one log of olive oil, and the priest who pronounces him clean will have the man who is being cleansed stand along with these offerings before the Lord at the entrance of the Meeting Tent.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe priest is to take one male lamb and present it for a guilt offering along with the log of olive oil and present them as a wave offering before the Lord. \u00a0He must then slaughter the male lamb in the place where the sin offering and the burnt offering are slaughtered, in the sanctuary, because, like the sin offering, the guilt offering belongs to the priest; it is most holy. \u00a0Then the priest is to take some of the blood of the guilt offering and put it on the right earlobe of the one being cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. \u00a0The priest will then take some of the log of olive oil and pour it into his own left hand. \u00a0Then the priest is to dip his right forefinger into the olive oil that is in his left hand, and sprinkle some of the olive oil with his finger seven times before the Lord. \u00a0The priest will then put some of the rest of the olive oil that is in his hand on the right earlobe of the one being cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot, on the blood of the guilt offering, and the remainder of the olive oil that is in his hand the priest is to put on the head of the one being cleansed. \u00a0So the priest is to make atonement for him before the Lord.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe priest must then perform the sin offering and make atonement for the one being cleansed from his impurity. \u00a0After that he is to slaughter the burnt offering, and the priest is to offer the burnt offering and the grain offering on the altar. \u00a0So the priest is to make atonement for him and he will be clean.[14]<\/sup><\/a><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Get up and go your way<\/i>, Jesus said to the foreigner<\/i> who returned to Him and gave praise to God<\/i>.\u00a0 Your faith has made you well<\/i>.[15]<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0This is better, perhaps, but still not the mercy I want.<\/p>\n

The next example is found in three gospel accounts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Matthew<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Mark<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Luke<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

As\u00a0they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed them.\u00a0 Two blind men were sitting by the road.<\/p>\n

Matthew 20:29, 30a (NET)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

They came to Jericho.\u00a0 As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road.<\/p>\n

Mark 10:46 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging.<\/p>\n

Luke 18:35 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

If someone wants to impeach the witnesses the discrepancies in these accounts seem very important. \u00a0They sound like the limited perceptions and faulty memories of eye witnesses who didn\u2019t necessarily understand what they were seeing, and the alterations that naturally occur when favorite stories are passed on by word of mouth.\u00a0 The more I want to know God, however, the less important they seem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Matthew<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Mark<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Luke<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, \u201cHave mercy (\u1f10\u03bb\u03ad\u03b7\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd, a form of \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ad\u03c9) on us, Lord, Son of David!\u201d\u00a0 The crowd scolded them to get them to be quiet.\u00a0 But they shouted even more loudly, \u201cLord, have mercy (\u1f10\u03bb\u03ad\u03b7\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd, a form of \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ad\u03c9) on us, Son of David!\u201d<\/p>\n

Matthew 20:30b, 31 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to shout, \u201cJesus, Son of David, have mercy (\u1f10\u03bb\u03ad\u03b7\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd, a form of \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ad\u03c9) on me!\u201d\u00a0 Many scolded him to get him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, \u201cSon of David, have mercy (\u1f10\u03bb\u03ad\u03b7\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd, a form of \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ad\u03c9) on me!\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark 10:47-48 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was going on.\u00a0 They told him, \u201cJesus the Nazarene is passing by.\u201d\u00a0 So he called out, \u201cJesus, Son of David, have mercy (\u1f10\u03bb\u03ad\u03b7\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd, a form of \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ad\u03c9) on \u00a0 me!\u201d\u00a0 And those who were in front scolded him to get him to be quiet, but he shouted even more, \u201cSon of David, have mercy (\u1f10\u03bb\u03ad\u03b7\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd, a form of \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ad\u03c9) on me!\u201d<\/p>\n

Luke 18:36-39 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Though the accounts differ regarding when and how many blind men asked for Jesus\u2019 mercy, they agree that the crowd scolded him\/them but couldn\u2019t silence him\/them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Matthew<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Mark<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Luke<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Jesus stopped (\u03c3\u03c4\u1f70\u03c2, a form of \u1f35\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bc\u03b9),[16]<\/sup><\/a> called (\u1f10\u03c6\u03ce\u03bd\u03b7\u03c3\u03b5\u03bd, a form of \u03c6\u03c9\u03bd\u03ad\u03c9)[17]<\/sup><\/a> them\u2026<\/p>\n

Matthew 20:32a (NET)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Jesus stopped (\u03c3\u03c4\u1f70\u03c2) and said, \u201cCall (\u03c6\u03c9\u03bd\u03ae\u03c3\u03b1\u03c4\u03b5, another form of \u03c6\u03c9\u03bd\u03ad\u03c9) him.\u201d\u00a0 So they called (\u03c6\u03c9\u03bd\u03bf\u1fe6\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd, a form of \u00a0 \u03c6\u03c9\u03bd\u03ad\u03c9) the blind man and said to him, \u201cHave courage! \u00a0Get up! \u00a0He is calling (\u03c6\u03c9\u03bd\u03b5\u1fd6, a form of \u03c6\u03c9\u03bd\u03ad\u03c9) you.\u201d\u00a0 He threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus.<\/p>\n

Mark 10:49, 50 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

So Jesus stopped (\u03c3\u03c4\u03b1\u03b8\u03b5\u1f76\u03c2, another form of \u1f35\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bc\u03b9) and ordered (\u1f10\u03ba\u03ad\u03bb\u03b5\u03c5\u03c3\u03b5\u03bd, a form of \u03ba\u03b5\u03bb\u03b5\u03cd\u03c9)[18]<\/sup><\/a> the beggar to be brought to him.<\/p>\n

Luke 18:40a (NET)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

This is new[19]<\/sup><\/a> relative to the first two stories of mercy.\u00a0 In each of these accounts Jesus stopped (\u03c3\u03c4\u1f70\u03c2 in Matthew and Mark, \u03c3\u03c4\u03b1\u03b8\u03b5\u1f76\u03c2 in Luke) and called<\/i> (\u1f10\u03c6\u03ce\u03bd\u03b7\u03c3\u03b5\u03bd, a form of \u03ba\u03b5\u03bb\u03b5\u03cd\u03c9) them<\/i> (Matthew).\u00a0 Mark offered detail to that call<\/i>: Jesus stopped<\/i> (\u03c3\u03c4\u1f70\u03c2) and said, \u201cCall<\/i> (\u03c6\u03c9\u03bd\u03ae\u03c3\u03b1\u03c4\u03b5) him\u201d<\/i> to those who traveled with Him, presumably his disciples. \u00a0So they called<\/i> (\u03c6\u03c9\u03bd\u03bf\u1fe6\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd) the blind man and said to him, \u201cHave courage! \u00a0Get up! \u00a0He is calling<\/i> (\u03c6\u03c9\u03bd\u03b5\u1fd6) you.\u201d<\/i>\u00a0 The blind man threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus<\/i>.\u00a0 Luke, the historian<\/a>, resolved these accounts with, So Jesus stopped<\/i> (\u03c3\u03c4\u03b1\u03b8\u03b5\u1f76\u03c2) and ordered<\/i> (\u1f10\u03ba\u03ad\u03bb\u03b5\u03c5\u03c3\u03b5\u03bd, a form of \u03ba\u03b5\u03bb\u03b5\u03cd\u03c9)[20]<\/sup><\/a> the beggar to be brought to him<\/i>.<\/p>\n

These are not the words Paul used to describe God\u2019s calling<\/a>, but together they form a vivid picture of what he meant by them.\u00a0 And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called<\/i> (\u03ba\u03bb\u03b7\u03c4\u03bf\u1fd6\u03c2, a form of \u03ba\u03bb\u03b7\u03c4\u03cc\u03c2)[21]<\/sup><\/a> according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. \u00a0And those he predestined, he also called<\/i> (\u1f10\u03ba\u03ac\u03bb\u03b5\u03c3\u03b5\u03bd, a form of \u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03ad\u03c9);[22]<\/sup><\/a> and those he called<\/i> (\u1f10\u03ba\u03ac\u03bb\u03b5\u03c3\u03b5\u03bd, a form of\u00a0\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03ad\u03c9), he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified<\/i>.[23]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Matthew<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Mark<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Luke<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\u2026and said, \u201cWhat do you want me to do for you?\u201d\u00a0 They said to him, \u201cLord, let our eyes be opened.\u201d\u00a0 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes.\u00a0 Immediately they received their sight and followed (\u1f20\u03ba\u03bf\u03bb\u03bf\u03cd\u03b8\u03b7\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd, a form of\u00a0\u1f00\u03ba\u03bf\u03bb\u03bf\u03c5\u03b8\u03ad\u03c9<\/a>)\u00a0him.<\/p>\n

Matthew 20:32b-34 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Then Jesus said to him, \u201cWhat do you want me to do for you?\u201d \u00a0The blind man replied, \u201cRabbi, let me see again.\u201d\u00a0 Jesus said to him, \u201cGo, your faith has healed you.\u201d \u00a0Immediately he regained his sight and followed (\u1f20\u03ba\u03bf\u03bb\u03bf\u03cd\u03b8\u03b5\u03b9, another form of \u1f00\u03ba\u03bf\u03bb\u03bf\u03c5\u03b8\u03ad\u03c9) him on the road.<\/p>\n

Mark 10:51, 52 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

When the man came near, Jesus asked him, \u201cWhat do you want me to do for you?\u201d \u00a0He replied, \u201cLord, let me see again.\u201d\u00a0 Jesus said to him, \u201cReceive your sight; your faith has healed you.\u201d\u00a0 And immediately he regained his sight and followed (\u1f20\u03ba\u03bf\u03bb\u03bf\u03cd\u03b8\u03b5\u03b9, another form of \u1f00\u03ba\u03bf\u03bb\u03bf\u03c5\u03b8\u03ad\u03c9) Jesus, praising God.<\/p>\n

Luke 18:40b-43a (NET)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

<\/td>\n<\/td>\nWhen all the people saw it, they too gave praise to God.<\/p>\n

Luke 18:43b (NET)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>In the first story two blind men thought it was more important to tell others about Jesus than to obey Him themselves.\u00a0 In the second story obedience was not at issue.\u00a0 There is no indication that the lepers were doing anything other than obeying Jesus\u2019 command, Go and show yourselves to the priests.<\/i> \u00a0At issue was the matter of gratitude, demonstrated in praise for God.\u00a0 Jesus raised the question whether the other nine lepers were praising God or, perhaps, praising themselves for their adherence to the works of the law<\/i>.\u00a0 For no one is declared righteous before him<\/i> by the works of the law<\/i>, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin<\/a><\/i>.[24]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>Yet the blind man\/men called<\/em> by Jesus followed Him, not because he\/they were given a law.\u00a0 Jesus did not say, Follow Me.\u00a0 Yet the work of the law<\/i> [was] written in their hearts<\/i>.[25]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 They were doers<\/a>, poets<\/a>, of the law, speaking their own lines from their own hearts, as opposed to actors (hypocrites<\/a>), wearing a false face and speaking a poet\u2019s lines.\u00a0 They not only praised God themselves, When all the people saw it, they too gave praise to God<\/i>.<\/p>\n

This is more like it, mercy that causes me to follow Jesus, praising God, a mercy that causes others, when they see me following Jesus, to praise, not me, but God.\u00a0 I will have mercy <\/i><\/b>(\u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9, another form of \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ad\u03c9) on whom I have mercy <\/i><\/b>(\u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u1ff6, another form of \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ad\u03c9), and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion<\/b><\/i>.\u00a0 So then, it does not depend on human desire or exertion, but on God who shows mercy<\/a><\/i> (\u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u1ff6\u03bd\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2, a form of \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ad\u03c9).[26]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 This is the mercy I want to receive.\u00a0 This is the mercy I long to extend to all around me.\u00a0 This is the mercy Paul found in the Lord when he had great sorrow and unceasing anguish<\/a> in<\/i> [his] heart<\/i>.[27]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Just as you were formerly disobedient to God, but have now received mercy (\u1f20\u03bb\u03b5\u03ae\u03b8\u03b7\u03c4\u03b5, a form of \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ad\u03c9)<\/em> due to their disobedience<\/a>, so they too have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy (\u1f10\u03bb\u03ad\u03b5\u03b9, a form of \u1f14\u03bb\u03b5\u03bf\u03c2)[28]<\/sup><\/a> <\/em>shown to you, they too may now receive mercy (\u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03b7\u03b8\u1ff6\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd, a form of \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ad\u03c9)<\/em>. \u00a0For God has consigned all people to disobedience so that he may show mercy (\u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ae\u03c3\u1fc3, a form of \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ad\u03c9)<\/em> to them all.[29]<\/sup><\/a><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This mercy is to be shown with cheerfulness<\/i> (\u1f31\u03bb\u03b1\u03c1\u03cc\u03c4\u03b7\u03c4\u03b9, a form of \u1f31\u03bb\u03b1\u03c1\u03cc\u03c4\u03b7\u03c2),[30]<\/sup><\/a> not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful <\/i>(\u1f31\u03bb\u03b1\u03c1\u1f78\u03bd, a form of \u1f31\u03bb\u03b1\u03c1\u03cc\u03c2)[31]<\/sup><\/a> giver<\/i>.[32]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 I fall down here because of the gospel presented as law rather than grace handed down to me from my religion that still adheres to my religious mind: \u201cBelieve in the Lord Jesus Christ before you die<\/a>, or burn in hell for all eternity.\u201d\u00a0 I am the dark side of the proverb, Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it<\/i>.[33]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 To counteract that darkness I want to look at two instances when Jesus didn\u2019t want to show someone mercy.<\/p>\n

A Canaanite woman from <\/i>[the region of Tyre and Sidon<\/a><\/em>] came and cried out, \u201cHave mercy<\/i> (\u1f10\u03bb\u03ad\u03b7\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd, a form of \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ad\u03c9) on me, Lord, Son of David!\u00a0 My daughter is horribly demon-possessed!\u201d<\/i>[34]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

This woman was a living remnant of the people Jesus, as Yahweh, had commanded Israel to exterminate with extreme prejudice\u2014because the Canaanites were wicked idolaters?\u00a0 Yes, as a matter of legal justification, but more to the point, for the faithfulness of his chosen people<\/a>: for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to their gods, and someone invites you, you will eat from his sacrifice; and you then take his daughters for your sons, and when his daughters prostitute themselves to their gods, they will make your sons prostitute themselves to their gods as well<\/i>.[35]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

So Jesus ignored the woman\u2019s persistent plea.\u00a0 Then his disciples came and begged him, \u201cSend her away, because she keeps on crying out after us.\u201d<\/i>[36]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

So Jesus began to explain to the woman the obligations of righteousness, the law He was under from his Father: I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel<\/i>.[37]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

But she came and bowed down before him and said, \u201cLord, help me!\u201d<\/i>[38]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is not right to take the children\u2019s bread and throw it to the dogs,\u201d he said.<\/i>[39]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

The Canaanite woman might have said, \u201cI\u2019m as good as any Jew here!\u201d\u00a0 And Jesus might have agreed with her, but I don\u2019t think that response would have moved him from the law of his Father.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Lord,\u201d<\/i> she said instead, \u201cbut even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters\u2019 table.\u201d<\/i>[40]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

When Jesus said, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them<\/i>,[41]<\/sup><\/a> He meant what He said.\u00a0 So He answered the Canaanite woman, \u201cWoman, your faith is great!\u00a0 Let what you want be done for you.\u201d\u00a0 And her daughter was healed from that hour<\/i>.[42]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

So, did Jesus sin by disobeying the law of his Father?\u00a0 No, because Jesus and his Father knew, long before Paul wrote any letter to the Galatians, that if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law<\/i>,[43]<\/sup><\/a> and regarding the fruit of the Spirit: Against such things<\/i> (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control<\/i>) there is no law<\/i>.[44]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

The second instance deserves its own essay<\/a>.\u00a0 I\u2019ll conclude this one with Paul\u2019s words of gratitude because it seems fitting in the context of the gift of showing mercy.\u00a0 My religion teaches me to present the gospel with Paul\u2019s words from his letter to the Romans (Romans 1:18-20 NET):<\/p>\n

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth by their unrighteousness, because what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. \u00a0For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes \u2013 his eternal power and divine nature \u2013 have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made.\u00a0 So people are without excuse.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But privately in his letter to the young preacher Timothy, Paul wrote (1 Timothy 1:12-17 NET):<\/p>\n

I am grateful (\u03a7\u03ac\u03c1\u03b9\u03bd, a form of \u03c7\u03ac\u03c1\u03b9\u03c2)[45]<\/sup><\/a> <\/em>to the one who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me faithful (\u03c0\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03cc\u03bd, a form of \u03c0\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03cc\u03c2)[46]<\/sup><\/a> <\/em>in putting me into ministry, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant man.\u00a0 But I was treated with mercy (\u1f20\u03bb\u03b5\u03ae\u03b8\u03b7\u03bd, a form of \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ad\u03c9)<\/em> because I acted ignorantly (\u1f00\u03b3\u03bd\u03bf\u1ff6\u03bd, a form of \u1f00\u03b3\u03bd\u03bf\u03ad\u03c9)[47]<\/sup><\/a> <\/em>in unbelief (\u1f00\u03c0\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03af\u1fb3),[48]<\/sup><\/a> <\/em>and our Lord\u2019s grace (\u03c7\u03ac\u03c1\u03b9\u03c2)<\/em> was abundant, bringing faith (\u03c0\u03af\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5\u03c9\u03c2, a form of \u03c0\u03af\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03c2)[49]<\/sup><\/a> <\/em>and love (\u1f00\u03b3\u03ac\u03c0\u03b7\u03c2, a form of \u1f00\u03b3\u03ac\u03c0\u03b7)[50]<\/sup><\/a> <\/em>in Christ Jesus. \u00a0This saying is trustworthy (\u03c0\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u1f78\u03c2)<\/em> and deserves full acceptance: \u201cChrist Jesus came into the world to save sinners\u201d \u2013 and I am the worst of them! \u00a0But here is why I was treated with mercy (\u1f20\u03bb\u03b5\u03ae\u03b8\u03b7\u03bd, a form of \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ad\u03c9)<\/em>: so that in me as the worst, Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost<\/a> patience (\u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u03c1\u03bf\u03b8\u03c5\u03bc\u03af\u03b1\u03bd, a form of \u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u03c1\u03bf\u03b8\u03c5\u03bc\u03af\u03b1),[51]<\/sup><\/a> <\/em>as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life. \u00a0Now to the eternal king, immortal, invisible, the only<\/a> God, be honor and glory forever and ever!\u00a0 Amen.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n
<\/div>\n
Romans, Part 50\u00a0<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Condemnation or Judgment? Part 7<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Paul’s Religious Mind Revisited, Part 6<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to To Make Holy, Part 4<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Forgiven or Passed Over? Part 6<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Who Am I? Part 9<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n

<\/a>[2]<\/sup> Romans 12:8 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[4]<\/sup> Matthew 5:7 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[5]<\/sup> Matthew 9:27 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[6]<\/sup> Matthew 9:28-30a (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[8]<\/sup> Matthew 9:30b (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[9]<\/sup> Matthew 9:31 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[10]<\/sup> Luke 17:12-14a (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[11]<\/sup> Luke 17:14b (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[12]<\/sup> James 2:22 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[13]<\/sup> Luke 17:15-18 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[14]<\/sup> Leviticus 14:1-20 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[15]<\/sup> Luke 17:19 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[19]<\/sup> In Luke\u2019s account the lepers stood<\/i> (\u1f14\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd, another form of \u1f35\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bc\u03b9) at a distance<\/i> (Luke 17:12b NET<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[23]<\/sup> Romans 8:28-30 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[24]<\/sup> Romans 3:20 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[25]<\/sup> Romans 2:15 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[26]<\/sup> Romans 9:15, 16 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[27]<\/sup> Romans 9:2 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[29]<\/sup> Romans 11:30-32 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[32]<\/sup> 2 Corinthians 9:7b (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[33]<\/sup> Proverbs 22:6 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[34]<\/sup> Matthew 15:22 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[35]<\/sup> Exodus 34:15, 16 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[36]<\/sup> Matthew 15:23 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[37]<\/sup> Matthew 15:24 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[38]<\/sup> Matthew 15:25 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[39]<\/sup> Matthew 15:26 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[40]<\/sup> Matthew 15:27 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[41]<\/sup> Matthew 5:3 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[42]<\/sup> Matthew 15:28 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[43]<\/sup> Galatians 5:18 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[44]<\/sup> Galatians 5:22, 23 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If [the gift] is showing mercy (\u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u1ff6\u03bd, a form of \u1f10\u03bb\u03b5\u03ad\u03c9),[1] he must do so with cheerfulness.[2]\u00a0 This is my gift, the one given to me.\u00a0 It is the way I see Jesus and his Father.\u00a0 It is the way … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1736,3115,20,2719],"tags":[2184,2172,2175,2063,415,2152,2154,2150,2151,2153,2155,2158,2161,2164,2167,2168,2157,2160,2163,2166,2174,2176,2177,2178,2179,2180,2182,2156,2159,2162,2165,2181,2145,2146,2147,2148,2149,2173,2183,737,1692,2169,83,946,2170,2171],"class_list":["post-3051","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chapter-12","category-gifts-of-the-spirit","category-romans","category-section-three","tag-1-timothy-112-17","tag-2-corinthians-97","tag-exodus-3415-16","tag-galatians-518","tag-galatians-522-23","tag-james-222","tag-leviticus-141-20","tag-luke-1712-14","tag-luke-1714","tag-luke-1715-18","tag-luke-1719","tag-luke-1835","tag-luke-1836-39","tag-luke-1840","tag-luke-1840-43","tag-luke-1843","tag-mark-1046","tag-mark-1047-48","tag-mark-1049-50","tag-mark-1051-52","tag-matthew-1522","tag-matthew-1523","tag-matthew-1524","tag-matthew-1525","tag-matthew-1526","tag-matthew-1527","tag-matthew-1528","tag-matthew-2029-30","tag-matthew-2030-31","tag-matthew-2032","tag-matthew-2032-34","tag-matthew-53","tag-matthew-57","tag-matthew-927","tag-matthew-928-30","tag-matthew-930","tag-matthew-931","tag-proverbs-226","tag-romans-118-20","tag-romans-128","tag-romans-1130-32","tag-romans-215","tag-romans-320","tag-romans-828-30","tag-romans-915-16","tag-romans-92"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3051","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3051"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3051\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20751,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3051\/revisions\/20751"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3051"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3051"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3051"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}