How is it possible to stay blessed in contentious times? As we see people mocking and scoffing, and raging against God's Word, how do we respond? It isn't by getting in the sewer with them! The Bible has a better answer in Psalm 1.
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.
Take this to heart, and may God show us the way to be more loving and helpful...
Happy because of Jesus,
Pastor James
Showing posts with label blessing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blessing. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Peace or Payback?
If you take some time to sort through 1 Peter 3, you'll see that believers are to be a source of blessing. Exactly what blessing means includes truth, btw.
Blessing is here contrasted with common behavior: retribution. This is the big word for "payback" (yes, we all know "payback is H#77", so don't even think about saying that out loud). Blessing is clearly contrasted, and is in fact opposed by or even defeated by payback.
If Christians simply give insult for insult, evil for evil, we are defeating the purpose for which we are called by God. We are going to inherit blessings of the heavenly kind, the unimaginable kind, and so we are to be the source from which others are blessed. Verse 13 reminds us that we have no need to fear harm if we are staying in the right.
This is just not our regular instinct. I want to be the sheriff, the judge, jury and, well...you know. But this ain't my calling, is it? Jesus didn't save us so we could get even.
SO- you gotta love the application of Psalm 34:11ff in verses 10-12. Who thinks of "people who want to live, love, and be happy" as a Biblical idea? The behavior will follow the calling of God to salvation. Any retribution belongs to the One who calls.
What is for us is to be harmonious, which I hope means cooperative, sympathetic, which helps us pray like crazy, brotherly, including acceptance in the big family of God, kindhearted, including to cruel people we find unattractive, and humble in spirit, that is, satisfied with God and His work in us.
The next time someone steps on your cornflakes, will you choose peace or payback? If you were ever attacked for being a Christian, would you be able to explain why you're giving a blessing?
"Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it."
Blessing is here contrasted with common behavior: retribution. This is the big word for "payback" (yes, we all know "payback is H#77", so don't even think about saying that out loud). Blessing is clearly contrasted, and is in fact opposed by or even defeated by payback.
If Christians simply give insult for insult, evil for evil, we are defeating the purpose for which we are called by God. We are going to inherit blessings of the heavenly kind, the unimaginable kind, and so we are to be the source from which others are blessed. Verse 13 reminds us that we have no need to fear harm if we are staying in the right.
This is just not our regular instinct. I want to be the sheriff, the judge, jury and, well...you know. But this ain't my calling, is it? Jesus didn't save us so we could get even.
SO- you gotta love the application of Psalm 34:11ff in verses 10-12. Who thinks of "people who want to live, love, and be happy" as a Biblical idea? The behavior will follow the calling of God to salvation. Any retribution belongs to the One who calls.
What is for us is to be harmonious, which I hope means cooperative, sympathetic, which helps us pray like crazy, brotherly, including acceptance in the big family of God, kindhearted, including to cruel people we find unattractive, and humble in spirit, that is, satisfied with God and His work in us.
The next time someone steps on your cornflakes, will you choose peace or payback? If you were ever attacked for being a Christian, would you be able to explain why you're giving a blessing?
"Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it."
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