Come Back And Bring It

“A prudent man sees evil and hides himself, the naïve proceed and pay the penalty.”  Proverbs 27:12.

Over and over again the Bible tells us to run away from evil.  The reason for this is so we can live another day and help to clean up the mess evil leaves behind.   Those who have been battered by evil need the love of Jesus to recover.  Who better to bring it than us?

The Outcome

“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.  Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed?  For the outcome of these things is death.  But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 6:20-23.

I worked with a man with whom I would discuss what the Bible said.  One day in the midst of a heated discussion regarding eternal life he said, “Well, either way you get eternal life, if you call an eternity in hell living.” 

He was right.   Paul points this out when he asks, “What benefit were you then deriving?”  Paul being the great persuader left it up to the individual to deduct that the benefit was hell.  This is still true today.  Sin makes our lives on earth hell and promises an eternity of hell.

We have a choice, and the best choice is Jesus. 

Recipe For a Clear Conscience

“For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world….” 

2 Corinthians 1:12

If we do as the Apostle Paul did, and conduct our lives in holiness and godly sincerity, then what can anyone say to cause us to shrink back in shame for our works?   The world can complain all it wants about us, but if we live in God’s grace, we are not guilty.  We are redeemed.

Built Up

“And coming to Him as to a living stone, which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”  1 Peter 2:4-5.

I love it when we are told to develop a thick skin, because we are going to be rejected.  This is great advice.  We need to stop being squishy and wishy-washy and be rock solid in our faith.  Jesus did not call us to shrink in fear, He called us to stand up and speak up. 

When In Doubt, Get Your Bible Out

“Do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both the soul and body in hell.”  Matthew 10:28.

Jesus makes it clear that we need to be aware of people who do not have our best interest in mind, but rather an agenda to destroy us spiritually.   We need to keep our guard up, and not be afraid to challenge ideas and suggestions which are contrary to the teachings of Jesus. 

When in doubt, get your Bible out.

Disarming the Enemy

“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;

And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

For you will heap burning coals on his head,

And the Lord will reward you.” 

Proverbs 25:21-22.

There are people who love to beat up Christians.  But these same people are often hurting and it is when they are vulnerable, that we can offer the love which Jesus has given us.  It may be by saying, “Hey, it’s going to be alright.” Or by giving them a candy bar when they are looking down and out. 

And, even if we are rejected, we still have succeeded in sharing a little of God’s love.