Accept It

There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. — Deuteronomy 15:11

Jesus also said the poor would always be with us. So, is God saying, Just accept it and move on? World systems make poor people. Like Jesus, we accept the truth of that, but we don't accept Sin, its source. Instead, we resist and rectify all that we can until Jesus returns and finally sets everything right.

Suited Up

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. — 2 Corinthians 10:4

This morning I ran in the rain. I was surprised and heartened to see so many others out in raincoats, facing the weather, walking their dogs. I think this is what Paul calls for in Ephesians 6. We suit up in clothing that disciples of Jesus wear, and face the world's strongholds: systems of hatred, bondage, and every kind of injustice.

Whataboutism

The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ⏤ Luke 18:11

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ⏤ 1 Timothy 1:15

Will I be like the Pharisee who excuses himself? Who exchanges God's grace for his own? Or will I be like Paul, who owns his distance from the Father and trusts Jesus for reconciliation?