Tuesday, August 5, 2014

The more things change, the more they stay the same

"The more things change, the more they stay the same"
The proverb is of French origin and was used by the French novelist Alphonse Karr (1808-90).
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So, I'm trying to read the bible from front to back and I came across this: 2 Samuel 6:6-7:
 "6 But when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen nearly upset it. 7And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God"
   I find it a little bit fascinating because I'd also recently had conversations with people about how God is all about faith, and love, and mercy in the New Testament. And then I remembered Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 4:32-5:11; see below).   Basically they lied about how much money they were giving to the church and they fell over dead. As in they died on the spot.
   That seems quite remarkable, since my friends were basically trying to differentiate the love & power of Jesus and how after he came everything got good.
    I would presume, upon reading both these passages, that: 1) YES, Jesus' resurrection led to great grace. 2) God is still God, and he is a just God. He knows the truth. He sees all things. He knows people's hearts. And THAT, I personally believe, matters greatly in life, and death, and everything.
   Being honest, and true, and loving, and kind, and doing what is right? It matters.  Because the more things change, the more they stay the same.

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Acts 4:32-5:11English Standard Version (ESV)

They Had Everything in Common

32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Ananias and Sapphira

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you[a] sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

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