Tower of Siloam question

[riverpastor]

Luke 13:4-5 - What about those 18 people who died when the tower at Siloam fell on them? Do you think that they were more sinful than other people living in Jerusalem? No! I can guarantee that they weren't. But if you don't turn to God and change the way you think and act, then you, too, will all die."​

Jesus asks the question of sin and consequence regarding a tower of Siloam that fell and killed these 18 people. He then answers this question with "No".

We sometimes think that things happen to people because of some sin. Jesus states that this is not the Truth.

What I believe Jesus was saying in this statement: "But if you don't turn to God and change the way you think and act, then you, too, will all die" is this:

That if sin is responsible for calamity, that if this thought process is true, then you had better repent or else end up like those who died by the tower.

It goes back to not living according to the rudimentary principles of the universe that if you're good, you get rewarded, and if you're bad, you get punished.

Jesus at first tells us that it is not because of sin, but in the afterthought, it SOUNDS like he is telling the disciples that this is the case.

So when Jesus comes on the scene preaching repentance, this repentance actually means, "Stop thinking this way. There is another way of living and it is here." Almost as if to say, "Stop believing in the performance-based religion of the universe, that's not the way it's going to be any more. Instead, turn to God and find a new way of life. One that is based on relationship and not performance".

What are your thoughts on this scripture?

 

[lovesblessing]

Bless you Riverpastor!

Sounds very good to me. There isn't anything at all that I can ever do enough of to be sinless in all things every day of my life.

So, the only result is to rest in the finished work of the cross......Jesus did everything that was needed for me.

Lean into the grace of God......Paul said we are to live constantly the same way we began....and how was that, why by grace thru faith.....for the Christian life is impossible to live for us......Christ is the only one who can live it through us, for us.

I cannot, but Christ can!

It is called "entering His rest".......

lovesblessing

PS. I know this doesn't add very much to what you posted Riverpastor.....but it sure felt wonderful saying it!

 

[chilifrankplate]

Excellent post RP. A friend and I were talking about this earlier. It's not about your works, but rather the relationship you have with Him. When you press into Him through His word, and in prayer, building that relationship, growing in His love, giving Him your heart, that is when things are really gonna start to happen. When you give yourself to Him, His Holy Spirit will work through you.

 

[LittleRocketBoy]

I think He was telling them that they were all the same... none were any worse than anyone else. Hence, because all were sinners they were all liable to have a building fall on them or some other calamity. The only way to escape such an untimely death (note nothing is said about hell here) was to repent and get on the right side of the Deut 28 list of blessings and curses.
Of course the whole point was that they could not. If they could repent and escape the curse Jesus would not have had to die for them.
Jesus was illustrating that all men were sinners and therefore subject to the curse of the law (death, disease, poverty, slavery, etc). The fact that these things happened to anyone and everyone showed that there was something wrong with anyone and everyone, and all had to repent (but could not).
Therefore:
Get ready for grace and salvation by faith in Him!