Things Work Out

When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta. The natives showed us extraordinary kindness, for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold; they kindled a fire and received us all. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand.

When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.”

But they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.

Acts 28:1-6

The Apostle Paul wanted to go Rome to preach the Gospel. He did not plan to go as a prisoner. Nor did he anticipate that he would be shipwrecked, rescued, bitten by a snake, accused of being a murder and then called a god. However, Paul took what we would consider to be a horrible trip and turned it into a mission trip.

So, when we are trying to do something for God and things are not going the way we planned, we need to consider that perhaps things are going according to God’s plan and go with the flow. And, we might be surprised how well things work out.

Welcomed

 

He who receives you receives Me, and He who receives Me receives Him who sent me.

Matthew 10:40

Jesus makes it clear that God goes with us when we set out to preach the Gospel. I use the word preach to encompass all manner of sharing the love of Jesus and the message of salvation.

We should not shy away from accepting invitations from those who are not Christians and even those who openly proclaim their unbelief, because we can’t bring them to Jesus if we don’t talk to them. And, if the invitation appears to be for an event which we find objectionable, we can counter with, “Well, I can’t make it, but how about if we have coffee on Tuesday? I’ll buy.”

When we are welcomed by unbelievers, we have an opportunity to share the love of God.

Think About This

 

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence, and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Philippians 4:8

When we fill our minds and hearts with good and honorable thoughts and ideas, the result is that we feel empowered by the love of God.

And, we may just find ourselves doing all sorts of good stuff for other people.

The Easy Way

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and here are few who find it.

Matthew 7:13-14

Jesus made an interesting point regarding doing things the easy way. When we go along with the crowd, we get no flak. Everybody is our buddy, until something goes wrong, then the crowd scatters and we are left to face the harsh reality of our choices all alone. When you’re sitting in jail or in the boss’s office or your car is being towed because you didn't follow the rules, it can be lonely.

When we strive to do things right, we may be ridiculed by our friends as being a sissy or a mama’s boy or too religious or no fun. We need to understand that ridicule is a small price to pay for the grief we are spared both here on earth and for eternity.

Jesus gives good advice, take it.

 

You Are Not Too Bad

And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus , he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way. When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly.

When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”

Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half my possessions I will give to the poor and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.” And, Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Luke 19:1-10

It is never too late. No one is ever too far from God. Jesus seeks us all. We just need to say “Here I am.” And, we are found.

Imitators of God

Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, in an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

Ephesians 5:1-2.

What does it mean to walk in love? Does it mean we have to let other people walk all over us? No. It means that whatever we do, we do it in a spirit of love. It does not mean we will be popular or that we have to be nice to those who cannot grasp the concept of kindness.  You know who they are.  

As Christians, we must speak out against wrong, but we are to do it in a manner that addresses the problem as a problem, and offers the perpetrator an opportunity to correct the error of his ways. This is what God did for us. He called us from our lives of sin, to a new life forgiven by Jesus. 

We treat others with mercy as Jesus treated us. 

Good For All People

 

We encourage you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15.

If there are any people that can drive a Christian crazy, these are the ones: the ones who violate the rules of God and man, the ones whose personal lives are such a wreck they themselves can barely bear it, and those who are physically, emotionally and spiritually weak. Yet, here we are given instructions regarding what it is we are to do for these folks, even if they repay us with evil, we are to keep doing good for them.

Is this a recipe for frustration, or what? It is an “or what.” When we seek what is good for all people that includes us. We too will find what is good.

Try it and see.