Back to Basics

¹⁶ “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;

Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight.
Cease to do evil,
¹⁷ Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Reprove the ruthless,
^[a]Defend the orphan,Plead for the widow.

Isaiah 1:16-17New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Why do we make it all so hard? Why is there so much talking and committee work? Must there be endless conversation about this? My first thought was to  look up how much money and time the governmental agencies spend talking about and researching justice, family, and poverty. But the truth is, Jesus told the believers to do justice, support families, and care for the defenseless. God gave that to the people called by His name. I find it interesting, no, convicting that God first tells us to repent. Before we can fulfill the Holy Mandates, we must take care of our own personal messes. Man, you mean I don't get to point my finger, place blame, and give angry protest at social and government agents? You mean, I can't pump my fist and make demands? Darn.

So here I am a professing Christian, proclaiming my love for God and His Christ. Now that I know, what am I going to do about it? I know that I need to keep a guard over my mouth. I know that I need to be more encouraging to my son. I know that I need to stop rolling my eyes. Evil thoughts and attitudes bring me to the throne of my God to repent, get clean of my deeds. With my Bible open, I see my marching orders. First learn to do good. It doesn't come naturally. By nature I am a selfish beast. So I have to learn to good. 2 Timothy 2:15 tells me Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. Deuteronomy 10:18 tells me He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing. 

See? Basics. Feed, shelter, care. 

That was  a quick meeting.