Jul. 14, 2008 - thoughts about Bible

  I had a few thoughts regarding reconciling how God deals with people in the Old Testament and in the New.  For some time, my husband's blog has been talking about covenants.  We've been a part of a group that is studying the 5 points of Calvinism.  We've also been joining a group that is studying the Old Testament, more specifically, the Torah.  All this time, both of us have been on the same page about what we believe is true.  Each of our studies have given us a deeper level of conversation with each other and they all seem to be circling around a central theme.
  Here is a couple of more things I could add to the table that lets me start putting some scattered pieces together.  As much as I am for sola scriptura I know that sometimes you meet people that can sure teach you some lessons.  We ran into this fellow that came across as boastful and arrogant.  He openly told us the difficulty he was presently in and laid much of the blame on those around him.  It reminded me of another person in my life that has gone through so much but seems so stubborn and life just doesn't go well for him.  Now I know that I am a sinner and perhaps I've done as much bad (maybe worse) as these two people I've just mentioned, but why do things go ok for me.  I've had bad things and disappointments come my way, but why does God take care of us?  And also other people I know that only have thankfulness in their hearts?  Have these people only done what is right?  Have they followed each of the laws correctly?  We always ask this question in our hearts because to ask it out loud might sound judgmental.  We want to know why some have blessings upon blessings and others only curse after curse.
  I want to propose a suggestion (now, not an across the board gospel fact always and neverending, but perhaps) of something God values.  I'm thinking about the whole concept of repentance.  What if all God wants from us is true repentance, whether we're elected or choose Christ as our Savior, whether we choose to follow the Jewish laws and regulations or we're free from the law and have no guilt in that.  What if this idea of repentance spans Old Testament and New Testament Covenants (nevermind that redundancy)?  What if this is the reason Jesus came and the reasons Jews sacrifice?  What if this is why some have blessings upon blessings?
  I was reading II Chronicles 6 this morning.  Solomon says a prayer about the Temple and then God fills it.  He approved.  He was here.  So many times in that prayer, Solomon asks God to hear the prayers of the people.  He asks God to forgive.  He says that "when they sin, and they most certainly will and when they ask for forgiveness, listen to them."  He pleads for God to listen to the people whether they were Jews or foreigners.  I find this very interesting, and I don't think that there is any other Scripture that down plays the need for repentance.  If you find something, I'd like to hear your defense.  I hope I'm not way off here--if I am, my sincere *apologies* :)