GraceTalk 1-01-23

We value asking questions to better understand how to live life in a God-centered, Christ-exalting way. We believe that church should be the best place in which people can get solid answers to life’s questions from God’s Word. Q1 (3:32). Psalm 37:16-17 is similar to Romans 12:19. The concept is not to take our own vengeance, but leave space for God to have His vengeance. This is His instruction! This is His promise! However, I know many many many Christians who do not have the patience, or faith, that God will have His vengeance. Or have it in the time or way that they want Him to have it. So they take vengeance themselves. I know these impatient Christians exist, because sometimes, I’m one of them. Can you give a sense of what it might look like, what the impatient Christian might TANGIBLY miss out on by taking their own vengeance? Of course you’ll be guessing, because you can’t know for sure. But I often think about this aspect when I personally want to take vengeance myself. It doesn’t always stop me. But I know what I miss out on is greater than any satisfaction I’ll get in the moment. Q2 (20:32). I want to reach my family and friends with the Gospel but I have not lived the most honorable life in front of them and, frankly, feel like a hypocrite telling them that they need Jesus. I feel like Matthew 7:3-5 is something I need to do before I share the Gospel with them. But when will I know when I have “taken the log” out of my own eye since my friends and family have a long memory? Q3 (31:50). Could Jesus Christ have sinned? Given He was human it would seem he must have been able to but given He was also Divine it seems like He wouldn’t? Any guidance on unwinding this difficult subject would be appreciated.