Responsibilities

Bible readings for the day: Genesis 20-21

Abraham's attitude is not always responsible, in particular often seek safety in the face of danger or conflict which eventually led to a bitter fruit, that he should expel Hagar, his mistress, and Ismail, own son (21:10-14).

As the head of household, Abraham should not simply follow her advice to take Hagar as a young wife, because it reflects the distrust of the ability of God fulfilled His promise to give Abraham descendants. Because Abraham did not dare to take responsibility in decision-making, not surprising that Abraham's confusion when his wife asked him to drive his young wife. If Abraham took responsibility as head of household who makes decisions, dilemmas (two difficult choices) of selecting a young wife or an old wives would not have happened.

In the structure of the Christian family, the husband is the head of the stairs that should lead in decision-making and should lead the whole family to follow the will of God. Although the husband and wife must work together in educating children, the responsibility remains in the hands of husbands. Wife is a companion to help her husband so her husband could carry out their responsibilities. If the husband is not responsible, the wife will occupy the position of the husband, and the decisions taken by the wife will be heavily influenced by an unstable feeling. If a wife wants her husband to carry out their responsibilities properly, he should always give support and encouragement to her husband.

Colossians 3:18
"Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord."

The Importance of Keeping the Faith

Bible readings for the day: Genesis 16-17

Faith is absolutely necessary to hold the promise of God who sometimes seemed absurd. Doubt makes Abraham's hard to refuse when his wife suggested that he take Hagar as a concubine. A moment of faith can bring off the painful effects.

Sara who had menopausal difficult to keep believing that she would get pregnant and bear children for Abraham. Therefore, Sarah suggested that Abraham take Hagar as a concubine. Abraham's willingness to follow the advice of Sara is an ironic thing to remember that in the previous chapter, Abraham believed God's promise that he himself would have descendants (15:5-6).

To understand this story objectively, be aware that the events as God reaffirms his promise to give offspring to Abraham and Hagar when Sara offers to be taken as a young wife who is an interval of perhaps about 10 years. Even though Abraham and Sarah seems to believe God's promise of their descendants, they are not too sure that this promise will be fulfilled through the womb of Sara. They do not think that the idea took Hagar as a young wife with a very bad effect, namely competition and conflict between old wife and a young wife (16:4-6; 21:9-14). Later, their descendants developed into the nations warring in Palestine today.

Sad side of the story of Abraham's family, reminds us that faith in God's promises must be maintained in the long run, not just one or two years, but for life. Removing the faith can bring painful consequences!

James 1:2-3
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

The Punishment Will Come

Bible readings for the day: Genesis 6-7

At the time of Noah's flood happened at the time of the unexpected by the people at that time reminded that God's punishment for human sinfulness will occur at the time set by God (compare with Matthew 24:37-44).

There are many things that can make people ignore the coming of God's wrath in the days to come. First, the punishment will come that will happen at the same time to all people in the days to come. Currently, we have not seen the reality of the punishment because the punishment has never happened. Second, the number of predictions that proved wrong makes many people doubt whether the punishment was really there. Third, sin is so attractive that many people feel affection for leaving innocent lives, even though they realize that sin always has consequences. Fourth, the devil is always trying in various ways to make us forget that the advent of punishment, among others, by making us become so busy that do not have time to think.

Our attitude toward sin and the salvation offered in Jesus Christ will determine whether our future will face eternal punishment or otherwise, we receive eternal blessings. If we choose to live in sin and we reject the salvation in Jesus Christ, the punishment would be a horrible moment. If we are willing to forsake sin and to accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, when the punishment will be replaced with comfort and eternal blessings to be given to the children of God.

2 Peter 3:9
"God does not neglect keeping his promise, even if some people regard it as negligence, but He is patient with you, because he is not willing that anyone perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Hope in Recovery

Bible readings for the day: Genesis 3

Understanding that the fall of Adam and Eve into sin has made all men are born in a state of sin is something sad. Instead, our hope is that the recovery will occur later when the Lord Jesus comes back.

In common sense, we can see that all people are born with a variety of similarities with their parents, not just the physical side, but also from the character. In terms of theology, Christians believe that human beings are born in sin because of human sinfulness inherited Adam (Romans 5:12). Note that the man (Adam) was created in the image and likeness of God (1:26-27; 5:1), but Seth, the son of Adam, born, according to appearance and image of Adam (5:3). Adam was created in a state of innocence, but because Adam and Eve had fallen into sin, his descendants were born in the image of Adam and Eve had fallen into sin.

Because humans are born in a state of sin, not surprising that in this world there are many crimes. Strict law could reduce crime, but never can eliminate crime. In a country run by very strict laws were always going against the law.

Before the Lord Jesus came for the second time, crime will continue to exist in this world. Only after the Lord Jesus to come back to this world to give the new body that no longer have the inclination to sin, to punish Satan and his followers, and establish a new heaven and new earth, then we can have freedom from sin and evil.

Revelation 21:4
"And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death no more; there will be no more mourning or wailing, or sorrow, for all that time has passed.".