Isaiah 66:4 English Standard Version

^4 “I also will choose harsh treatment for them and bring their fears upon them, because when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, they did not listen; but they did what was evil in my eyes and chose that in which I did not delight.”

The worst actions that I have taken in my life I did without thinking. I gave no second thought to my actions. It did not feel like a choice.

Giving into our base elements without regard for consequences is a matter of not learning basic social skills. How to live in a world that is violent does not mean one has to be violent. One needs to learn what causes violence and avoid doing things that stir up violence. Understanding our nature should help us control our nature. Then it becomes matter of choice.

What if we are not taught to control our nature by word nor example? Is that an excuse for giving in to our base nature?

Romans 2:1 English Standard Version (ESV) Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.

Our base nature looks to blame others. “It isn’t my fault.” Pleading innocent does not make you innocent. At some point we must come to the conclusion that what we are doing isn’t working.

“I don’t want to be like this.” That was my salvation prayer. It did not take on all the elements of the sinner’s prayer because I had never heard the sinner’s prayer. I eventually got there but not until those words were received by God as a prayer. I was a sinner who didn’t know it. That was no excuse.

When will we stop making excuses for our actions?

I don’t know, I am not there yet, I still have my base nature.

John 7:15-17 English Standard Version

¹⁵ The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” ¹⁶ So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. ¹⁷ If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.

We left off yesterday with the issue of a challenge related to knowing God’s will.

Allow me to paraphrase the import parts of the above scripture in terms related to pride.

Jewish leader says, “How can you know this? I didn’t teach you.”

Jesus answers, “One greater than you taught me. Why don’t you recognize His word?”

These are words from John 7 that explain how the people reacted.

John 7:25-26 English Standard Version

Can This Be the Christ?

²⁵ Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? ²⁶ And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ?

The people begin to question their religious leaders.

John 7:32 English Standard Version

Officers Sent to Arrest Jesus

³² The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him.

The religious leaders tried to put an end to the rumors. We can only assume what their motivations are in seeking to arrest Jesus. It might be that they did not care to be challenged. It might be that they failed the challenge. It might be that their egos were bruised. It might be they feared losing control over their congregation.

Having said all that based on assumptions related to the scriptures read what conclusions should we draw from this?

How do we react when challenged?