The unknown crossroads humanity is facing right now - An 8-part prophetic video series
It's important for humanity to affirm to itself how far it has already come - Part 8 of 8
Leveraging existing resources and talents more - Part 7 of 8
Re-envisioning the education system - Part 6 of 8
A more grateful future society - Part 5 of 8
Biblical basis for this part of the prophetic word
Why human dignity is so important to God
I would like to base today's prophetic word in relevant scripture, as human dignity is very important throughout scripture.
Why should we value human dignity biblically? Because every person is made in God's image and is therefore inherently valuable.
Genesis 1:27 (NIV) "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."
Why we should value all life? Because humanity has a special place in God's creation, so we should honor humanity and treat every human being with dignity.
Psalm 8:4-5 (NIV) - "What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor."
Why should you love and respect others? This incredibly important verse that you could say is the golden rule of scripture, emphasizes the importance of treating others with respect and dignity.
Matthew 7:12 (NIV) - "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
Why justice and caring for those who are being oppressed in society is so important? The following verse emphasizes that we have a duty as Christians to defend the dignity and the rights of the vulnerable and marginalized citizens in our society.
Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV) - "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
Why should you care for God's people? In this verse Jesus tells us that every individual is deeply valued by God, no matter how insignificant you think these people are in your opinion.
Luke 12:6-7 (NIV) - "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
What is the basis for striving for equality in our society? Regardless of their background or gender, people have inherent worth in Christ.
Galatians 3:28 (NIV) - "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Celebrating festivals and rites of passage
The advice of celebrating rites of passage, may seem unbiblical, so God would love to share these verses with you.
An example of a celebration of the harvest (God's provision)
Deuteronomy 16:13-15 (NIV) - "Celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing floor and your winepress. Be joyful at your festival—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites, the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns. For seven days celebrate the festival to the Lord your God at the place the Lord will choose. For the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete."
Psalm 65:9-13 (NIV) - "You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops. You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing."
An example of celebrating all seasons of life
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (NIV) - "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot."
Both these festivals are tied to the seasons
Exodus 23:16 (NIV) - "Celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field. Celebrate the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field."
An example of celebrating a rite of passage
Genesis 21:8 (NIV) - "The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast."
Rehabilitation vs retaliation
Reason for choosing a justice and incarceration system based on rehabilitation instead of retaliation
Reason for not choosing retaliation? Jesus would like us to choose forgiveness and grant grace rather than retaliation.
Matthew 5:38-39 (NIV) - "You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also."
Reason for choosing rehabilitation? Try to gentle restore those who gave gone astray. Clearly there's a focus on rehabilitation not punishment.
Galatians 6:1 (NIV) - "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted."
You overcome evil with good, not evil with evil. This verse talks about how we should biblically respond to wrongdoing.
Romans 12:17-21 (NIV) - "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary:
‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
See how many times Jesus forgives a person (second chances)
Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV) - "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times
Old Testament law often focused on restitution (repairing the harm done) rather than punishment
Exodus 22:1-4 (NIV) - "Whoever steals must certainly make restitution, but if they have nothing, they must be sold to pay for their theft. If the stolen animal is found alive in their possession—whether ox or donkey or sheep—they must pay back double."
Jesus clearly focusses here on rehabilitation rather than condemnation.
John 8:10-11 (NIV) - "Jesus straightened up and asked her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’
‘No one, sir,’ she said.
‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.’
And maybe the most powerful one directly from God!
"Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?"
A different timeline that humanity could be stepping into: humanity's renaissance! - Part 4 of 8
A wrongful assumption that needs to be challenged by humanity - Part 3 of 8
The pros and cons of being primarily outwardly focussed - Part 2 of 8
Note - With 'another success guru' I meant Napoleon hill. And when I referred to 'inspiration' relating to the prophetic word on humanity's evolution, I was referring to 'innovation'.
The pros and cons of being primarily inwardly focussed - Part 1 of 8
