2020 May 11-May 12 Proverbs 14, Eighth (Stealing) of the Ten, TWGA, CTC Corner!
2020 May 11-May 12 Proverbs 14, Eighth (Stealing) of the Ten, TWGA, CTC Corner!
Prove 14:13 Laughter and rejoicing may not always stem from the heart, or may be half-hearted, and not indicative of true inner joy, part of the fruitage of God's holy spirit. For example, some laughter may be out of harmony with God's love, which "does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth." (1Cor 13:6). True joy is a deep-seated satisfaction in one's life, not simply displayed by occasional laughing. And a person may be taught to rejoice over what is bad--how sad, ending in grief!
"14 The one wayward at heart will reap the results of his ways, But the good man reaps the reward of his dealings."
"15 The naive person believes every word, But the shrewd one ponders each step."
"16 The wise one is cautious and turns away from evil, But the stupid one is reckless and overconfident."
"17 The one who is quick to anger acts foolishly, But the man who thinks things out is hated."
"18 The naive will inherit foolishness, But the shrewd are crowned with knowledge."
( NewsUSA
)
– As the world has hit the metaphorical panic button during the rise of
Coronavirus (Covid-19) cases worldwide, the daily reality for people
and businesses is rapidly changing.Practically overnight, businesses
have been forced out of the comfort zone of face-to-face contact, now
having to heavily rely on digital platforms. Businesses, especially, are
struggling with figuring out how to survive by using digital
communication techniques.With the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) and government officials emphasizing "social distancing
and mandatory nonessential business closures," technology such as live
video conferencing, chat boxes, and email will be the basis for millions
of Americans for their jobs, schooling, and everyday communication. So,
with so many players in the game, how can businesses continue to
function successfully?Higher Images, a 20-year-old full-service digital
marketing agency located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is helping
organizations, businesses, and the community re-imagine what their lives
and work-life will look like through web-based technology and mobile
devices.President and CEO of Higher Images, Bryan Thornberg, says,
"Rather than going into crisis mode, businesses should take this as an
opportunity to expand their knowledge and reach. With many more people
relying on digital communication, this is an ideal opportunity for
businesses to break boundaries and try new techniques when connecting
with clients."Thornberg and his team want to help people not just
survive this crisis but to thrive during it and come out with an
organization and business model stronger than ever.Thornberg has already
been able to impact his clients by thinking outside the box and
recommending the usage of technology such as live feeds and Facetime.For
example, a hot tub distributor – a business that relies on their retail
location for sales – took the recommendation of Thornberg and is now
offering live video conferencing for customers to do live demonstrations
of products and make purchases.Higher Images also urges businesses to
utilize their existing websites to drive business: for example, adding a
chat-box function to their website for customer communication, allowing
organizations to respond to clients in real-time from the convenience
of a cell phone or office computer from any location in the world.With
higher internet traffic, this is also a key time for organizations to
utilize search engine marketing, Google ads, and mobile in-app
advertising technology such as Webtracker, which geo-fences homes to
enhance brand visibility. Strategizing with a digital marketing company
like Higher Images will provide businesses with the tools they need to
succeed. Visitwww. howcanmybusinesssurvivethecoronavirus .comfor more information.
JMCE note: If interested, please search for similar companies, perhaps close to "your neck of the woods," performing similar services, such as "digital marketing."
_______
COME TO CONSENSUS CORNER
Week 10: ISSUE AFTER ISSUE ADDRESSED BY GOD’S KINGDOM: PROPER VIEW OF LAW
Psalm 1:2 “But his delight is in the law of Jehovah, And he reads His law in an undertone day and night.”
Joshua 1:8 “This book of the Law should not depart from your mouth, and you must read it in an undertone day and night, in order to observe carefully all that is written in it; for then your way will be successful and then you will act wisely.”
Jeremiah 31:33 “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares Jehovah. “I will put my law within them, and in their heart I will write it. And I will become their God, and they will become my people.”
NEED FOR LAW.
The need for some code of law became apparent with time in man’s history. Before the advent of such laws, humans, closer to the perfection originally present in our first parents, Adam and Eve, generally lived by their consciences. Likely, discussions of right and wrong actions were among the conversations our first parents had with their children. It was possibly even before a law code existed that Joseph fled from having an adulterous affair with his Egyptian owner’s wife, saying “How could I commit this great badness and actually sin against God?” In the oral history handed down, he knew God had brought the first man and woman together in marriage, and at this, God’s word says: “That is why a man will leave his father and his mother and he will stick to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24). Thus respect for the covenant of marriage was engendered early on, especially among God-fearing persons.
AN EARLY CODE.
One early law code was the code of Hammurabi. This was before the time of Moses. Hammurabi’s code laid down some 282 laws, having been written upon stone pillars within the kingdom of Babylon, so everyone would know the law. Hammurabi is known as the sixth king of Babylon, and is believed to have ruled between 1792 BCE and 1750 BCE. Hammurabi evidently did not write these laws, but brought together and organized existing laws. It became the standard of judgment throughout his empire. Of course, there were some similarities and differences when comparing his law to that of God’s law through Moses. Both codes stated, for instance, that kidnapping a child would bring the death penalty.*
WHY SEVERE PENALTIES?
Why do such laws of man and even God, even today, have severe punishments associated with certain wrong actions? If everyone is aware of the law code, and know how severe the penalty would be for a specific harmful, criminal act, this should serve as a powerful deterrent from engaging in such conduct, thus enabling a peaceful existence to be maintained in society. Just as violating a law of physics, such as gravity, you know could mean your death, so serious moral laws should never be violated either. God reveals at 2Peter 3:9 that He “...is patient with you because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance.” Thus, He wants everyone to understand and respect His laws, which promote genuine peace and happiness among society. Hammurabi’s code even included death for robbery, while God’s law through Moses generally only required returning the item stolen, if possible, and added compensation, totaling up to four or even seven times the amount, depending on what it was. Thus, God’s law was more reasonable in this case, while the penalty still serves to deter the crime. Also, God’s law promoted fairness and equality, whereas Hammurabi’s law considered a crime less serious if it was committed by one with higher social status. More than a crime against man, God’s law made it clear that crimes such as robbery were also being committed against God—who loves His human creation, and wants the peace and happiness of all. They thus were sins against God, requiring forgiveness by Him.
OTHER PURPOSES OF LAW.
We’ve seen that laws can be set as a deterrent from bad actions. But laws can also promote and accentuate good practices and standards. It can be used to set certain payments for government, legal and business services, for instance. It can outline fair practices between entities, whether governmental, commercial, or personal. It can outline a path to help various peoples overcome some disappointing or failing circumstances, to regain their peace, security, prosperity, freedom and/or happiness after some disaster or unfortunate occurrence(s). Laws can thus be used for much good, and contribute to the above-mentioned conditions that human hearts long to experience and maintain. And contrary to the notion that laws are only restrictive, in truth law can even protect various freedoms that promote such happiness among humanity. God’s word reveals that “where the spirit of Jehovah is, there is freedom!” (2Cori 3:17). And James speaks of God’s law as a “perfect law that belongs to freedom.” He writes: “But the one who peers into the perfect law that belongs to freedom and continues in it has become, not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work; and he will be happy in what he does.” (James 1:25). Thus, God’s law can promote wise and good conduct, and help those who adhere to it act with greater wisdom, and find greater happiness. Psalm 19:7-8 says: “7 The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring strength. The reminder of Jehovah is trustworthy, making the inexperienced one wise. 8 The orders from Jehovah are righteous, causing the heart to rejoice; The commandment of Jehovah is clean, making the eyes shine [“enlightening the eyes”, AMP].” Therefore, God’s commands support truth and true worship in a way that enables obedient ones to find wisdom and joy, to see more clearly where they are on the path of life, and where they are going.
WHAT OF THE RANSOM?
Therefore, the ransom of Christ, while a merciful gift of God, does not do away with law, but rather establishes it. It is having faith, or deep trust, in that merciful provision for forgiveness that enables ones to gradually grow to greater adherence to the law of God. With a deep faith in God and His word and law, we are moved to respond to God’s love by loving Him in return. And 1John 5:3 explains: “3 For this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome.” Thus by such faith in God’s love, seeing God’s law as a way to know how to love Him in return, true righteousness is made possible, even a complete obedience of the heart of a person. This was not always understood. Some Jews felt that their own circumcision of the flesh itself gave them divine favor. Romans 3:23-24, 29-31 says: “23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and it is as a free gift that they are being declared righteous by his undeserved kindness through the release by the ransom paid by Christ Jesus...29 Or is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also the God of people of the nations? Yes, also of people of the nations. 30 Since God is one, he will declare circumcised people righteous as a result of faith and uncircumcised people righteous by means of their faith. 31 Do we, then, abolish law by means of our faith? Not at all! On the contrary, we uphold law.” Likewise, for true Christians, baptism itself is not an automatic sign of divine favor, but it is a “request made to God for a good conscience.” (1Peter 3:21). Holding a good conscience, that is eagerly trained by God’s word, with an obedient and loyal heart, brings divine approval, not as something we earn, but as a free gift, by God’s kindness, through the ransom of Christ.
CONCLUSION
FAITH IN GOD AND HIS LAW.
Jesus when on earth taught many principles of divine truth, that aid one to understand God and His ways better, so as to WANT to live by them. Christ’s teachings help us to address our loyalty and faithfulness to God in a heartfelt way, becoming obedient from the heart to God’s standards and laws, promoting true peace, righteousness, and happiness. May we therefore come to delight in the law of God, as others throughout history, and look forward to God’s favored blessings and rewards. This requires faith, or deep trust, in Him, as explained at Hebrews 11:6: “6 Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please God well, for whoever approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.” God’s Kingdom will thus help people to comprehend God’s law in a way that they can understand and live by it, seeing it’s wisdom and value in their life.
Perhaps books will be published, with the aim of addressing a certain aspect or topic of God’s law, revealing insight into how it functions to contribute to earth-wide or even universal peace, security, prosperity, freedom, and happiness. They can be written with warmth and understanding, in “plain English” so-to-speak, in a way that may bring delight and satisfaction. May we continue learning of God’s perfect law, that we may live by it, respecting His law and His Son’s teachings, thus honoring our loving God and Father, Jehovah, as the rightful Sovereign of the Universe.
* WORLD HISTORY for Christian Schools, 1984 ed. pp. 24-25


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