Luke 10:25-37
1. Salvation is determined by your fidelity to the Law of the Gospel, v. 25-28
a) what Jesus doesn’t say- “pray the prayer”
-Matthew 23:15
b) what Jesus does say
1) What is written in the Law? (exposition)
2) How do you read it? (interpretation)
2. Man’s natural inclination is toward self-justification, v. 29
“Essentially we create a narrative about the world that reflects our beliefs about the kind of person we are and assign to this narrative a ‘truth’ which does not, in fact, exist. It is not the same thing as lying or making excuses. It is more powerful and more dangerous than the explicit lie. It allows people to convince themselves that what they did was the best thing they could have done. In fact, come to think of it, it was the right thing.
Self-justification is a portrayal of the brain that, despite its stated goals or desires, is not interested in truth, but rather self-preservation.” - Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me), Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson
Two main ways we seek to justify ourselves:
a) ignorance
b) effort
3. Jesus calls us from a neighborhood to a brotherhood, v. 30-35
"...Today there are all sorts of zig-zag and criss-crossing separating fences running through the races and people of the world. Modern progress has made the world a neighborhood: God has given us the task of making it a brotherhood. In these days of dividing walls of race and class and creed we must shake the earth anew with the message of the all-inclusive Christ, in whom there is neither bond nor free, Jew nor Greek, Scythian nor barbarian but all are one." -The Cross of Peace, Sir Philip Gibbs
- I John 3:11-24
4. Mercy makes us all responsible, v. 36-37
“Mercy is a kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them.”
Mental worship…
Does the way you read God’s word reflect the way it’s actually written?
Do you ever seek to justify yourself? If so, what are some ways you attempt to do so?
When you forget the Gospel, what then becomes the gospel for you?
Is there currently any reason why God shouldn’t answer your prayers?
Who in your life needs to feel mercy from you?