Follow the Light of Jesus, Part 2

This was originally titled: "Don't Exchange the Truth for a Lie," but I decided to rename it as it so perfectly fits with part one.

I have been praying about what God wanted me to write about next.  He gave me two phrases: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil." And "They traded the truth for a lie." God also told me very clearly not to be afraid of anyone who might reject me for my writings because it is important to share the Truth.

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 

Isaiah 5:20 

Keep those words in mind as they go along with the theme of this blog.

The second phrase God gave me, I knew I had heard before, but could not remember where it was in the bible nor what the context of that scripture was.  I had to look it up.  It is in Romans 1.  Because the context of scripture is long, I will post it at the end of this writing.

I realize that a portion of Romans 1 has to do with the sin of homosexuality, but I do not believe that is what God is specifically calling me to write about at this time.  The theme God wants me to focus on is the backsliding of saints. Those that have been taught the Truth and have rejected it.

If you have taken the time to read part one of this blog, then you know that I am just as guilty of knowing not to watch things God considers evil even though I knew better. 

So, if we are taught at an early (or not-so-early) age to avoid witchcraft, drugs, alcohol, sexual immorality, etc., then why do we choose to sin?  It is because we have been hurt to the very core and we blame God.  We think He should have intervened and saved us from a miscarriage, a divorce, a death of a loved one, the loss of a home, etc.  We may think we have gotten over the anger towards God, but in all reality, we choose to rebel against the scriptures we have heard for many years, and probably even memorized.  We choose this as a child rebels against a parent they think is being unfair.  In all honesty, I was a good kid.  But, when my parents set a curfew I did not agree with, I simply chose to come home whenever I wanted and suffer the consequences later.  Sound familiar?  Our attitude may sound something like this, "God, I think it was pretty heartless of you to allow my wife to cheat on me, so therefore, I am going to smoke this joint."  or "God, I don't understand why I have lost a child, and since you don't seem to care, neither do I."

Satan absolutely loves it when we allow our minds to wander down such paths of what we consider logical rebellion.

But, don't be fooled...  God does care!  He does not will bad things to happen to us.  Bad things often happen due to poor choices we make, and God will not save us when we jump off a cliff without a parachute just because we say we have faith.  He expects us to be proactive.  You cannot expect God to heal you of high blood pressure if you continue to pig out on chips and ice cream (note to self).  You cannot expect God to save your marriage if you refuse to put down the sin of pornography.  Or bless your business if you treat your employees unfairly.  We have to take care of our marriages, our bodies, and other people if we want God's blessings.  We cannot hold someone responsible that did not pull the trigger.  Unfortunately, our mistakes can cause others hurt.  If you refuse to have your vehicle serviced on a regular basis and it breaks down on your wife and she gets stranded in the middle of nowhere, that is not God's fault.

I am well aware that bad things happen to people who live life as clean as they can.  They are devout in their faith and love God with all their hearts.  Do they have a reason to be mad?  Sure.  In fact, even those that are victims of their own fault have reason to be mad.  The bible says it is okay to be angry as long as we do not sin in anger (Ephesians 4:26)  But don't stay mad; pray that God helps you heal by the power of His Holy Spirit as it is impossible to heal on our own.  We live in a fallen world where man chooses to alienate God.  Therefore, God does not always intervene.  I have very serious asthma to the point where doctors say I could die if it does not improve.  Is that my fault or God's?  No.  Has God chosen to heal me?  No.  But He had lead me to the proper doctor and proper medication and my asthma is improving.  If I was still obsessing over "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and knowingly watching a show that was displeasing to God, I would have no right to even ask God to heal me.  Anymore than you could expect a boss to give you a raise if you are always late to work and have a bad attitude. 

I think I'm getting off subject. 

Anyway, my point was that we choose to dishonor God with our rebellions because we blame Him for our unfortunate circumstances.  We justify glorifying witchcraft or drinking alcohol because it is fun or makes us feel better.  I have heard people often say, "Oh, I know there's swearing, violence, and sex in that movie, but overall I really loved it."  And they watch it again and again.

 Verses 20-21: For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

This sounds to me like they were well aware of God's power, rebelled, and God was absolutely going to hold them accountable because they knew better.  In fact, I believe God holds us more accountable when we know the Truth and trade it for a lie than when our sins are a little bit more ignorant. 

 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.  Hebrews 6:4-6

 Verse 22 states that, Professing to be wise, they became fools.  To me, this sounds like they knew better and justified their actions with false logic, and therefore, became foolish.   

But there is good news for those that have rebelled and chosen to backslide.  I see a lot of people who choose to do wrong still going to church, calling themselves Christians, and reading their bibles.  The hope lies in prayers. We can pray this all sinks in once and for all.  That God will ultimately open their eyes, or re-open as the case may be.  Or if it is us that has fallen away, we need to repent and start over.

I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.  Revelation 2:4-5

Please prayerfully consider all I have said.  Remember my goal is never to condemn anyone, but if the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart and convicts you, please listen and obey.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,  because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,  because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;  being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,  backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.  Romans 1:18-32

Follow the Light of Jesus, Part 1

I originally wrote this in 2016 and was initially reluctant to write on this subject for well over a year.  I'm not sure why as I do not tend to shy away from tough subjects, and I try to be obedient to what I feel the Holy Spirit is encouraging me to write about.  I think I waited so long to write on this subject because I was not sure how to word it.  Again, I feel the need to repost this blog along with part two that will come in another few days or so.

We know that Jesus calls himself the "Light of the World."

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”  John 8:12

We also know that, just from observing with our own eyes, that even the smallest flicker of light eliminates the darkness.  In other words, light and dark cannot coexist.  They cannot coexists  in the each other's space because one will destroy the other's exclusivity.  

Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.  But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”  John 11:9-10

If Christians claim to walk with Christ, that means that are attempting to live a life in the light.  There are many, many areas that could be considered "dark," but today, I am going to focus on just one.  Christians should not compromise in the area of witchcraft. 

Yes, we all know that people who practice witchcraft will not inherit the kingdom of heaven...

He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”  Revelation 21:6-8

But I am not just referring to the art of practicing witchcraft.  I am also referring to the compromise of watching movies and reading books filled with magic.  Before anyone thinks I am being self-righteous, I want to make it very clear that I once compromised in this area in a big way.  That is why I am so compelled to warn against it now.  I will admit that I was a huge "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" & "Angel" fan as well as "The Lord of the Rings" being my favorite movie trilogy.  I loved fantasy fiction.  I owned the above mentioned TV shows/movies and watched them all the time.  Whenever I would watch episode after episode, I found myself in a bad mood all the time.  I knew it was because I was allowing demonic influences into my home, but I did not care because those shows were an addiction to me.  (This was before I was married.)  

The bible makes it very clear that we are not to call the dark things of this world light:

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20 

When we watch movies like Harry Potter, Star Wars, Frozen, The Lion the Witch & the Wardrobe, or even Cinderella, we open up our hearts and minds for all sorts of evil to walk through our door.

Don't take my word for it:

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Ephesians 6:12

This verse lets us know that angels and demons are very real, and the dark forces of this world will try to influence us.  We must keep up our guard by not allowing the dark into our homes.  These cute Disney movies may seem innocent, but anything involving a witch, wizard, incantations, magic wands, potions, and even certain hand motions should not be allowed in a Christian home.

It was difficult, at first, to throw away all my movies and books that contained any form of witchcraft because I like to be entertained as much as you do, but I knew it was a necessity if I wanted to have peace in my home.  I did not want nightmares or any other negative influences harassing me and especially not my husband.  I indeed noticed the peace as soon as they were all gone, and I was able to hear God's voice much more clearly.

Reading tarot cards, playing with Ouija boards, having your palm read, & séances are all things are also extremely dangerous and should be avoided.

Avoid Wicked Customs
“When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations.  There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you.  You shall be blameless before the Lord your God. For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the Lord your God has not appointed such for you. Deuteronomy 18:9-14

There is only ONE light we should follow.
   
And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, the gods... in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

You cannot serve both light and dark.  Just as one cannot love two spouses, one cannot love both light and dark.  Choose today whom you will serve. 

Here are a few more scriptures on this subject:

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.  Philippians 4:8-9

Light Bearers
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;  for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.  Do all things without complaining and disputing,  that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a  crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,  holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Philippians 2:12-16

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John’s Witness: The True Light
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.  He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  John 1:13

Walking in the Spirit
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law [of Moses]. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 4:16-25

 ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the women who sew magic charms on all their wrists and make veils of various lengths for their heads in order to ensnare people. Will you ensnare the lives of my people but preserve your own? You have profaned me among my people for a few handfuls of barley and scraps of bread. By lying to my people, who listen to lies, you have killed those who should not have died and have spared those who should not live. “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against your magic charms with which you ensnare people like birds and I will tear them from your arms; I will set free the people that you ensnare like birds. I will tear off your veils and save my people from your hands, and they will no longer fall prey to your power. Then you will know that I am the Lord. Because you disheartened the righteous with your lies, when I had brought them no grief, and because you encouraged the wicked not to turn from their evil ways and so save their lives, therefore you will no longer see false visions or practice divination. I will save my people from your hands. And then you will know that I am the Lord.’”
Ezekiel 13:18-23

Praise and Worship

This video is too long to post to Blogger, but please watch this great sermon by my husband called, "Praise and Worship" from my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/theschoolofholiness/?modal=admin_todo_tour

Week 20 Short Video, From my Other Blog

I wanted to share this video with this blog as well from my marriage blog, "The ABCs of a Joyful Marriage" https://abcsofajoyfulmarriage.blogspot.com/

Satan's Throne in Your Home

This video is too long to post to Blogger, but please watch this great sermon by my husband called, "Satan's Throne in Your Home" from my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/theschoolofholiness/?modal=admin_todo_tour

Out of the Abundance of the Heart the Mouth Speaks

Many people believe their thoughts do not matter.  As long as they say and do all the right things, then they can be as rotten as they want to be in their own private thoughts.  As we are so judged by our works, ( It is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."
And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; I Peter 1:16-17), please make no mistake that our thoughts are very much considered as part of our works.

 

Matthew 5:28 reminds us how important our thoughts are: But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  In other words, you do not have to participate in a physical affair to be considered an unfaithful spouse.  In the Lord’s eyes, lusting after someone else (this goes beyond simple attraction, but evolves into impure thoughts), is a sin.

 

As I thought of writing this blog, I have to admit I was convicted as I contemplated Matthew 12:34 (see below).  What is the abundance of my heart?  How often would I be dealing with a customer at work over the phone and be super polite and kind, but in my thoughts I would be calling the person annoying or even stupid.  Yes, it is always important to treat others with respect, but if our thoughts are cruel, God knows.  And trust me, one can wear a mask for only so long before the real truth of their poor attitude seeps through.  It’s why Jesus so often preached to the Pharisees about their hypocritical lives.  Of the abundance of your heart is dark and crooked, your speech is sure to be as well.  No one is capable of being phony 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  Chances are, someone in your life knows the real you.  And if you really are that good of an actor that you fool everyone all the time, God knows you more intimately than even you know yourself. 

 

But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.

"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.
Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."  Matthew 12:25,33-37

 

 

When I pray, one thing I ask, is that my cup be clean on the inside out.  I do not want to be an outside-only Christian.  I want my private thoughts toward others to match my outward smile.  When people say I am being gracious, I want it to be the truth.  I want to do more than appear polite when inwardly I am biting my tongue because I want to lash out in anger toward someone or spout off with a smart alec reply.  Instead, I want my heart to bear as much fruit as my actions.  When angry or annoyed, I want to stop and see the so-called offender through the eyes of Christ, and abandon my ego in the dump with the garbage. 

 

When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that He had not first washed before dinner.
Then the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness.
Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also?
But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you.
But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
  Luke 11:38-42

The Lord sees and knows all our hearts.  The entire chapter of Mark 7 is excellent (as are all the words of Jesus Christ), but I want to remind us (me too) of just a few verses:

He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me.  Mark 7:6-7

 

When I worship the Lord, I do not want to merely sing a pretty song, but I want to make sure my heart is pure before Him.  It is a million times more important that my I worship the Lord with a tender heart toward others than whether or not my voice and actions appeal to others. When I raise my hands toward the Lord, I want them to be clean.

 

As a final reminder, Luke 12:1-3 says, ^“In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.
Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.”  

Jesus knows our every thought, even when we put on a false front to others.  Even if one spends his whole life successfully fooling others into thinking He is serving the Lord while addicted to pornography (which yes, as mentioned above, is the same as adultery), stealing from others, backbiting, gossiping, etc., when he stands before the Lord on judgment day, all will be revealed.

 

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.  Matthew 16:24-27

 

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.
And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.  II Corinthians 11:13-15

 

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.
And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.
Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-15

I also want to add this excerpt that I wrote for my other blog, "The ABCs of a Joyful Marriage" from a post titled: Week 56: Seven Abominations: You can read the entire post from the link:  https://abcsofajoyfulmarriage.blogspot.com/2019/12/week-56-seven-abominations.html

A heart that devises wicked plans: Notice that one does not even have to carry out wicked plans, but just dreaming them up is an abomination to God.  The Lord knows all your thoughts and if you are considering harming someone or breaking the law, you will be held accountable for your thoughts. Matthew 5:28 says we commit adultery just by thinking about having sex with someone not our spouse.  Proverbs 23:7 says that we are what we think.  The Bible also says that whatever we sow in our hearts we will reap in our actions.  Remember that song, "Be careful little mind what you think? For the Father up above is looking down in love."  Well, sing that to yourself every time you are devising wicked thoughts. Repent, and change your thought process! 

Blessed are the Humble, Meek, Merciful, & Peacemakers

 

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 9:6-7

 

As Jesus was referred to as "The Prince of Peace" even before His birth, I want to explore how I can be more like this desired personality trait.  However, rather than focus on the act of feeling peaceful (I will save that subject for another day), God has placed it on my heart to write about what it means to act as a peacemaker.

 

I have often been criticized for being too timid, too quiet, and too passive. I am a firm supporter and admirer of my husband's boldness and ability to stand up for his beliefs, and wish I was much more brave.  However, I am learning to accept that I am a shy person and not be ashamed of it.  Especially since my peaceful personality makes it easier for my husband, friends, and co-workers to be around me.  They know I will not stir up dissention or quarrel (unless it is very, very important), and I will do my best to get along with everyone.  I am certainly not perfect, but I do try to make life easier on all those around me, which often includes being a peacemaker.  

 

 

But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren... that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business...  I Thessalonians 4:9-11

 

My point, however, today is not about having a quiet personality.  In fact, I fully believe God gave us all different personalities for different reasons so that we can balance each other out.  Whether bold or shy, we are all called to be peacemakers and to treat each other with kindness and respect.  In fact there are so many scriptures on this subject, that I could not possibly list them all in one blog.  I will do my best to narrow it down.  Let's start with Christ's Sermon on the Mount.

 

 We've probably all heard all or most of what are often referred to as "The Beatitudes" that are part of Jesus' Sermon on The Mount.  Note how many of them have to do with having a gentle heart.

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, (or being humble in spirit)
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are those who mourn,
    For they shall be comforted.Blessed are the meek,
    For they shall inherit the earth.Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    For they shall be filled.Blessed are the merciful,
    For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,    For they shall see God.Blessed are the peacemakers,
    For they shall be called sons of God.Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
    For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."  Matthew 5:1-12

 

Wouldn't it have been amazing to be at the feet of Jesus as He taught this sermon?  I am so very grateful to have the bible and have access to the wisdom of Jesus and from the disciples who learned by His side.

 

 

One of the main themes of Christ was loving one another.  Some religions are so seeped in the old testament that they still believe in the "eye-for-an-eye" mentality, but I prefer to follow the advice of Jesus. * (See note at the end.) 

 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.   Matthew 5:38-39

 

By being called to be humble, meek, and peaceful we are also taught not to be quarrelsome and antagonistic.  There is definitely a time and a place to stand up for yourself and your beliefs, and I am proud of my husband for being such a person.  I am mostly referring to the people who refuse to respect others' beliefs to the point they become a troublemaker.

 

But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.  And a  servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,  in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth.  II Timothy 2:23-25

 

It is honorable for a man to stop striving,
Since any fool can start a quarrel.
Proverbs 20:3

 

How are we called to handle such a person? 

 

But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.  Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition,  knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.  Titus3:9-11

 

Yes, that means it is perfectly acceptable to eject such a person from your life if you have first warned him to quit being so argumentative.  We are called to live in peace, not to be doormats or be forced to have people in our lives who are always stirring up dissention.  People who always want to criticize and argue are not respecting who you are as a person, and are not a genuine friend. 

 

Jesus taught His own disciples that they were to leave the towns of the people who would not accept their teachings.  Rather than stay and argue, they were to leave that town and not return.  Jesus uses the symbolism of shaking the dust from their feet as if to say they are not to even take the town's negative attitude with them, but leave it behind in the dust.

 

And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet."  Matthew 10:14 

 

 

Jesus was referred to as "The Prince of Peace," because His ultimate goal is to bring us a life of peace.  Peace to our hearts, minds, and lives.  He also wants us to be kind, loving, and gracious.  I realize I am repeating myself, but I am trying to convey an important quality of Christ's that we should try to imitate.  Yet, He also states, that though He was a peaceful man, His ministry was not to bring peace in this world.  As you read in the quote at the end of "The Beatitudes," Jesus makes it clear that we will be persecuted for our faith. 

 

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.  But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.  You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.  But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;  for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. 

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.  For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ " Matthew 10:16-20 & 34-36

 

Note that Jesus' advice that we are to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves."  Again, there is nothing wrong with standing up for yourself, and being wise enough how to handle harmful people, but we are to be gentle when we deal with them.  The sad part about that scripture is that Jesus even warns us that there will be division among our own family members.  But Jesus goes on to say in this same chapter that we are to choose a life of Truth with Him even over our own family, if necessary.  Sadly, sometimes distancing ourselves from friends & family that are always antagonistic is a more peaceful solution than continuing to live in strife.

 

He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.  He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.  Matthew 10:37-90

 

 

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.  Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  I Corinthians 13:1-7

 

The beginning of this verse is essentially saying that, even if we have love in our hearts, if we treat others with disrespect and bad attitudes, we are no better than a noisy hypocrite.  We should strive to not just be hearers of the Word, but doers as well. 

 

I want to be a gentle person who treats others with respect.  I want to let insults fall of my back like water off a duck.  I want to reflect the Light of Christ.  I know I will never be perfect, and I will often make mistakes, but it is my goal to be a peacemaker.  Not because I am seeking a blessing, but because I want to make my Heavenly Father pleased with my effort.

 

It makes me feel good when my co-workers compliment me by saying they are impressed with the fact that they don't see me angry, I don't have a bad attitude, that I don't let rude people bother me, and that  I always have a smile and kind word for others.  I am not happy to hear these things out of vanity, but because I know it is Jesus working through me, and I give Him all the glory!  Without Christ I struggle with patience and kind words.  But with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I can see others in a different light and want to treat them as He would. 

 

Christians are to continue to grow in their faith, which also means living a life that reflects the Words of Christ.  That is why it is so important to never stop reading the bible, no matter how many years you have been reading it.  You will always be encouraged and reminded of the type of person Christ wants you to be.

 

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;  bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.  Colossians 3:12-13  

 

Hopefully, this is all making sense.  I will end with a few more scriptures.

 

Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.  Matthew 5:9

 

Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.  Romans 14:19

 

And you, [parents], do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.  Ephesians 6:4

 

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.  Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.  Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.  Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.  Therefore“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  Romans 12:14-21

 

* Note:  My statement has to do with personal persecutions.  I am a firm believer in the justice system and people being properly punished for their crimes.