What Can We Learn About Prayer From Luke 18:1-17?

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

How does this relate to what Jesus taught in Luke 11:1, 5- 13?

What principles can we draw from both passages?

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

How does this relate to what Jesus taught in Matthew 6:5-8?

What principles can we draw from both passages?

15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

How does this relate to what Jesus taught in  Matthew 6:6-9, 26, 31-32?

What principles can we draw from both passages?

Carrots & Sticks

The other day I had the pleasure of catching up with an old friend I had fallen out of touch with. We were discussing something that God had been doing in my life that was not only good for me, but also very pleasant. My friend, although not a believer, noted that dynamic.

Without thinking about it, I heard my self responding that “God usually leads with a carrot instead of a stick.” Later that day I started thinking about that phrase and realized that, in spite of my self, I had stumbled onto something. Scripture repeatedly illustrates how God prefers to use love, rather than punishment, to move us from destructive to productive behavior.

Let’s start in Proverbs. In Proverbs 8 lady wisdom addresses the simple and foolish. Rather than scolding them, she offers fellowship and a rich meal. Proverbs 8:1-11,  Proverbs 8:32-34, Proverbs 9:1-6

We see the same thing in Isaiah 55 and Isaiah 58:6-12. God  responds to those who reject  or misunderstand Him with loving invitation instead of punishment.

That continues in the New Testament. In Luke 15 Jesus uses multiple parables to explain that God lovingly reaches out to those who are off track. In Acts 9:1-19 Jesus reaches out in love to correct one who had been actively opposing Him and hurting His followers. In Revelation 3:14-23 Jesus offers His fellowship as an incentive for errant followers to correct their behavior. See particularly Revelation 3:20.  

That’s not to say that those who refuse God’s graceful response to sin are not eventually punished; scripture contains plenty of examples of that too. But that only happens after those folks reject His efforts to attract them into what is best for them (and others). God always leads with the carrot, and only brings out the stick if He has to.

Jeremiah 8:1-11

 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” God calls to us & wants to reveal his will to us, but we have to make affirmative efforts & follow God’s directions, to learn what He wants us to know. 3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. 4 The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. God sometimes speaks by example, in figurative ways. Indeed, Jesus did this extensively through His parables.

5 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 6 Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. God has ultimate control, authority; we must adhere to His will. 7 At one moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, 8 but if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will change my mind about the disaster that I intended to bring on it. We can turn from our errant ways, back to God and His will, even if we have gravely sinned. 9 And at another moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, 10 but if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will change my mind about the good that I had intended to do to it. 11 Now, therefore, say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Thus says the Lord: Look, I am a potter shaping evil against you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, all of you from your evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.