Today’s Devotional – April 19th (Robin Hood Christianity!)
By admin On April 19th, 2014.
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Today’s Devotional -April 19th
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Robin Hood Christianity
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For those of us who grew up on stories like Robin Hood, the carefree renegade life of Robin and his, ‘merry band of marauders’, has held a special place in our hearts!
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After all, what could hold a greater magical fascination than to live in those “enchanting days”, eating and drinking and laughing and joking while outwitting their foes, and taking from the rich and giving to the poor?
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What a carefree life they must have lived, above the law of the land, and beyond its long arm!
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Robin Hood Shoots with Sir Guy – by Louis Rhead – 1912 – Wikimedia – Public Domain
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TAKING FROM THE RICH, GIVING TO THE POOR?
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And taking from the rich and giving to the poor?
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Such a noble cause! Right?
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“No”, you say?
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Well, you’re correct, of course! Yes, as Christians, we understand that it’s not right to steal, even from the rich! And even if it were legal to do this, it still doesn’t square with the Bible!
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No, all such acts of humanitarianism should emanate from the love and self-sacrificing generosity of the heart!
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To feel sorry for the poor is one thing.
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But to demand others to give their hard-earned money to relieve those poor is quite another thing!
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That may be the way governments operate, but not Christians!
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The Four Yeomen Have Merry Sport with a Stout Miller – Wikimedia – US Public Domain
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NOT THE BEST READING!
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But there’s more to Robin Hood’s Adventures that doesn’t square with the Bible, than robbing the rich!
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So let’s explore this legend of folklore for a few moments, to get a better perspective on why this man-made myth, called Robin Hood, is not the best thing to put into the minds of children (or adults!)
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Robin shoots with sir Guy – by Louis Rhead – 1912 – Wikipedia – public domain
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ROBIN HOOD: A CHEAP IMITATION?
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After all, Jesus and His disciples living out in the wilds of Israel, while they “gave their all” to help those in need of Salvation, has a very suspicious similarity to Robin and his merry band of thieves!
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Therefore it can become confusing to many readers.
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But Jesus and His disciples didn’t rob the rich, in order to gain parity for the downtrodden.
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No, all giving should be voluntary, and with a cheerful heart!
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And so, here is the first dis-similarity between these two bands of men.
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Jesus’ Exhortation to the Apostles 1886-94 – by James Tissot – Wikipedia – Public Domain
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ROBIN HOOD RENEGADES
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But there are many Christians in today’s world, who somewhat imitate that lovable rogue, Robin Hood!
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For instance, we might suppose that because our government has many corrupt elements about it, that somehow this justifies us in our own little inequities.
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Yes, we might rationalize that it’s OK to cheat a little on our income taxes.
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Or perhaps we decide to NOT purchase the proper permits, when doing a building project…“After all, the government cheats! So why shouldn’t I?”
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Here is that “Robin Hood” mentality which says, because the government is corrupt, I therefore don’t have to obey its laws!
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Thou Shalt Not Steal Sign (cropped and altered photo) – Wikimedia – Share-alike License
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BEING LAWFUL IN ALL THINGS
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But listen to Scripture… “And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” 2nd Timothy 2:5.
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Yes, as this biblical saying indicates, there is a right way, and there is a wrong way to strive for Christian victory!
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But the fact is, an important part of properly representing Christ is to set a good example in all that we say and do!
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The Bible clearly teaches… “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake…that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:” 1st Peter 2:13-17.
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So here we have a passage which clearly lays out the responsibility of Christians to obey every ordinance of Mankind, unless any particular law directly conflicts with God’s laws!
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Tissot – Moses and the Ten Commandments – Wikipedia – US Public Dom.
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A SPIRITUAL REBELLION!
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We pay our taxes! We get the necessary permits! We buy the required car insurance! We try not to speed nor run red lights, etc…
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And we are to even speak with respect about some particular governing authority, realizing that he or she is also a candidate for Salvation!
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Listen to Jesus as He admonished His disciples… “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” Luke 16:10, 11
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The Christian is filled with the Spirit which desires to be faithful even in the smallest matters of life!
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And, at the end of the day, upon self-examination, if I should discover that I have been unfaithful, I can still cry out for God’s mercy and help…
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“If we confess our sins,
He is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1st John 1:9
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Building Inspection – Wikimedia – Public Domain
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TODAY’S PRAYER…
“Dear Lord, Help me to be faithful in all matters of life, both great and small…
Praying Hands – Otto Greiner – Wikimedia – .bassenge.com – Cropped image – Public Domain
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READ MORE…
To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “November 29 (Tip-for-Tat Christianity)“ or you can also read… “March 31st (Copy-Cut-n-Paste Christianity!)”
Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license
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THE END
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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN
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LOCATING THE ARCHER
“He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow. He hath caused the arrows of His quiver to enter into my reins. I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day.” Lamentations 3:12-14
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Orion travels through the night skies, starting about late September in the pre-dawn hours. This 1st office which Orion holds, as an Archer, is fairly easy to see. His bow is pointed and bent as if ready to shoot his arrows.
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But why astronomers have never noticed this Dragon to his left, is truly a puzzle! It’s so obvious; at least his crocodile mouth is obvious. (Perhaps God is sending the message that Satan (the real Dragon) is so obviously real, and yet so few in this world are ready to recognize him.)
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This Archer-Orion corresponds to the 1st Horseman of Revelation, Chapter 6, speaking of a rider with a bow who goes out conquering.
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And so this article is dedicated to show just what Orion the Archer is speaking of, in Scripture, and how this all relates to you and me. So read on and observe…
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Orion – courtesy IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine & Wikipedia – share-alike license
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FOR FURTHER STUDY…
“Orion the Archer“
Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license
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TOMORROW…
“(The Heart: Treasure Chest of the Mind!)”
ABOVE PICTURE: Most Holy Place within the heart – Signs Of Heaven
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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH
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ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.
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THIS STUDY #109 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…
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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain
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