Daily Devotional, Year 3 – December 29 (The City of Morality, Part 10: “What’s My Badge of Honor?”)
By admin On February 17th, 2021.
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Daily Devotional, Year 3 – December 29
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The City of Morality,
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Part 6:
“What’s My Badge of Honor?”
To read Part 1, click here… “January 5th (The City of Morality”
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Have you ever heard anyone say about someone else, “They’re as proud as a peacock’?
Well, it’s been a very commonly used expression over the years, and probably through the centuries.
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And just one look at this incredibly beautiful bird, and it’s small wonder why this connection is made!
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Not only is it a dazzling creature to behold, but even its proud strut, in royal blue, makes it appear to be the chief figure in a royal procession.
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But when this amazing bird fans out its plumage, it appears to have many eyes looking at it, as if it is boasting, “All eyes are on me! ME, ME, ME!!!”
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WHAT’S YOUR BADGE OF HONOR?
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Now, let’s talk about people.
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Have you noticed that we humans always seem to have one or more positive traits of character which, well, just seem to be a type of “badge of honor” for us?
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Well, the Pharisees of old had their own badge of honor.
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Yes, it was their morality, prosperity, position, and cleanliness.
This made them feel as though they were just a bit more righteous than, “the great unwashed!”
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PHARISEEISM TODAY
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And let’s face it! Cleanliness, position, prosperity, and morality are perhaps the most common “badges of honor” even to this current day.
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And especially in the most prosperous nations, a great number of people live in this self-deception that they are more righteous than others, because of their prosperity and position; or because they are very moral; or because they are very neat and clean.
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OTHER BADGES OF HONOR
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But it always seems like each and every person has some sort of badge of honor which causes pride and self-justification.
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For some, it might be their friendliness.
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For some, it might be their merciful acts of charity.
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For others, it might be their quick-witted jests.
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For still others it might be their superior work-ethics.
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Yes, the list goes on and on!
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MANY BADGES OF HONOR!
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There are perhaps hundreds or even thousands of personal traits which make people feel just a little better than others.
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Oh, maybe it’s one’s punctuality; or his knowledge of the Bible;
or his humbleness;
or generosity;
or superior intellect;
or honesty;
or some talent;
or his knowledge of some sport,
or of some philosophy.
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Actually, the list seems almost endless as to the possible attributes which humans consider to be “my badge of honor!”
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PAUL LOST ALL BADGES OF HONOR!
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Now if ever someone had something to boast about, it was the Apostle, Paul.
And yet, listen to Paul’s testimony about these supposed badges of honor…
“But what things were gain to me,
those I counted loss for Christ…
for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,
and do count them, but dung, that I may win Christ,
And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness…
but that which is through the faith of Christ,
the righteousness which is of God by faith:”
Philippians 3:7-9
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Yes, when Paul finally met Christ, he suddenly realized that he was a just another miserable sinner, saved by grace!
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Listen…“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing:” Romans 7:18.
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THE GOOD NEWS!
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The Good News is that there exists a true goodness!
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And this true goodness is now being offered to each and every member of the human race!
Yes, the gift of Salvation is now available to any and every willing recipient who begins to follow Jesus by faith on an upward, Heavenward journey to the Celestial City of God!
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And instead of a mere outward display of moral behavior, Jesus can come and live out His life through each and every Heaven-bound pilgrim, as he or she walks that narrow pathway (comprised of every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God!)
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TODAY’S PRAYER…
“Dear Lord, Drive out all my foolish proud judging! Purify my heart. Give me the mind of Christ, so that I too can become meek and lowly on heart…
Pray for Our Nation sign – Wikimedia – Share-alike-lic.
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READ MORE…
To explore deeper into this subject, please read…January 20th (3 Fingered Judgment-Day)…
…or you can also read… “September 30th (How To Spot The Biggest Sinner!)”
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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“THE SCORNER (THE PHARISEE)”
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“For from within, out of the heart of men,
proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit,
lasciviousness, AN EVIL EYE,
blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
All these evil things come from within,
and defile the man.”
Mark 7:18-23
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Please tilt your head to the left.
Do you see a man with a very long pointed nose. (Obviously, the sketch to the right is just an exaggeration in order to help you find the face in the photo to the left.)
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Do you see an angry look? His right eyebrow is raised as if he is judging.
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This second face in the Moon appears to be that of a combination of a man as well as a fox.
Or maybe a wolf. Doesn’t he have a long narrow nose like a wolf or fox?
Maybe even a dog.
Nevertheless, the expression on his face, as he appears to look down upon the Earth, is that of scorn.
Unlike the first Moon-man’s sad shock and awe; this ‘man/fox/wolf/dog’ appears to be that of anger and scorn.
As if he is disgusted at the sinful planet below.
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He is very moral, you see!
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READ MORE…
To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Moon Into Blood Trilogy: 2nd Face: The Evil-Eyed Pharisee Scorner”
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TOMORROW:
December 30 (The Devil Made Me Do It! Part 19: “Sleeping To Satan’s Lullabies!”)
Violin Lullaby – Satan – Tartini’s Dream – Louis-Léopold Boilly 1761-1845 – Devil’s Trill Sonata – Wikimedia – Public Domain
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90-MINUTE OPEN FORUM
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ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO LISTEN TO THIS DEBATE REGARDING WHETHER THE CHURCH-AGE HAS ENDED.
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CLICK HERE TO LISTEN…The Open Forum Harold Camping April 14, 2003
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ABOVE PICTURE: Holy Bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic.