“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. Mt.5.11-12 NKJV
I think that Jesus is not telling us to be happy about persecutions that come our way, but about them in so far as they reveal the company we keep. And, He is not referring to the company of those persecuting us but to that company of godly men and women who have suffered for His cause. We keep good company when we are branded by persecutions for His sake.
Now Christ is also not talking about persecutions which come to us for our own sake. Many Christian’s are persecuted because they have made themselves offensive and obnoxious to others by having anything but a gentle and quiet spirit. Many are persecuted because they are being stupid not because they have the spirit of the prophets.
But all who name Christ are promised persecution even if it is the gradual coldness of old friends who perhaps feel uncomfortable around the presence of Christ in them. 10/1/07 ts
Just me trying to be honest with God.
Good Company
“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. Mt.5.11-12 NKJV
I think that Jesus is not telling us to be happy about persecutions that come our way, but about them in so far as they reveal the company we keep. And, He is not referring to the company of those persecuting us but to that company of godly men and women who have suffered for His cause. We keep good company when we are branded by persecutions for His sake.
Now Christ is also not talking about persecutions which come to us for our own sake. Many Christian’s are persecuted because they have made themselves offensive and obnoxious to others by having anything but a gentle and quiet spirit. Many are persecuted because they are being stupid not because they have the spirit of the prophets.
But all who name Christ are promised persecution even if it is the gradual coldness of old friends who perhaps feel uncomfortable around the presence of Christ in them. 10/1/07 ts
I think that Jesus is not telling us to be happy about persecutions that come our way, but about them in so far as they reveal the company we keep. And, He is not referring to the company of those persecuting us but to that company of godly men and women who have suffered for His cause. We keep good company when we are branded by persecutions for His sake.
Now Christ is also not talking about persecutions which come to us for our own sake. Many Christian’s are persecuted because they have made themselves offensive and obnoxious to others by having anything but a gentle and quiet spirit. Many are persecuted because they are being stupid not because they have the spirit of the prophets.
But all who name Christ are promised persecution even if it is the gradual coldness of old friends who perhaps feel uncomfortable around the presence of Christ in them. 10/1/07 ts
Refusing Treatment
For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. Jo3.20-21 NKJV
The condemnation that rests on the world is our refusal to seek help with our rebellious character. A person who refuses to seek medical attention should certainly expect the consequences of such actions. Do we really expect anything less when it comes to the sickness in our souls.
Now no one, at least no one in their right mind, would blame the doctor if a person dies because someone refused treatment. But we run into people all the time who blame God when someone dies the spiritual death, hell, as the Bible calls it, even though it is the persons refusal to come to Christ which brings this tragedy. Now that someone would think this way, is evidence that people are not in their right mind. It is a wonder that any of us are saved. He is so very gracious. 9/29/07 ts
The condemnation that rests on the world is our refusal to seek help with our rebellious character. A person who refuses to seek medical attention should certainly expect the consequences of such actions. Do we really expect anything less when it comes to the sickness in our souls.
Now no one, at least no one in their right mind, would blame the doctor if a person dies because someone refused treatment. But we run into people all the time who blame God when someone dies the spiritual death, hell, as the Bible calls it, even though it is the persons refusal to come to Christ which brings this tragedy. Now that someone would think this way, is evidence that people are not in their right mind. It is a wonder that any of us are saved. He is so very gracious. 9/29/07 ts
Refusing Treatment
For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. Jo3.20-21 NKJV
The condemnation that rests on the world is our refusal to seek help with our rebellious character. A person who refuses to seek medical attention should certainly expect the consequences of such actions. Do we really expect anything less when it comes to the sickness in our souls.
Now no one, at least no one in their right mind, would blame the doctor if a person dies because someone refused treatment. But we run into people all the time who blame God when someone dies the spiritual death, hell, as the Bible calls it, even though it is the persons refusal to come to Christ which brings this tragedy. Now that someone would think this way, is evidence that people are not in their right mind. It is a wonder that any of us are saved. He is so very gracious. 9/29/07 ts
The condemnation that rests on the world is our refusal to seek help with our rebellious character. A person who refuses to seek medical attention should certainly expect the consequences of such actions. Do we really expect anything less when it comes to the sickness in our souls.
Now no one, at least no one in their right mind, would blame the doctor if a person dies because someone refused treatment. But we run into people all the time who blame God when someone dies the spiritual death, hell, as the Bible calls it, even though it is the persons refusal to come to Christ which brings this tragedy. Now that someone would think this way, is evidence that people are not in their right mind. It is a wonder that any of us are saved. He is so very gracious. 9/29/07 ts
Calling Fire or Calling on Christ
For we know Him who said, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Heb10.30 NKJV
I think every time I have heard these words, they were being said with vengeance. What I mean, is that the person or persons saying them wanted God to send down fire from heaven and seemed to relish the thought that He would dish out some retribution against sinners. I am reminded of the time the disciples of Christ were shunned by the Samaritans.
And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them. Lk.9.54-55 NKJV
Vengeance truly belongs to God alone and He will certainly bring every person to judgment. This means of course that I too will stand in His presence. And, what I would want from God for myself should temper what I would want from God for my neighbor. As for handing out justice, God is both just and justifier of those who look to Christ. Let us find encouragement for ourselves in the promises of Christ and instead of calling down fire from heaven, let us call others to find the same comfort we have found in Him. Jesus is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him. Tragically, it is only those who refuse the gift of Christ who need to fear the vengeance of God. 9/26/07 ts
I think every time I have heard these words, they were being said with vengeance. What I mean, is that the person or persons saying them wanted God to send down fire from heaven and seemed to relish the thought that He would dish out some retribution against sinners. I am reminded of the time the disciples of Christ were shunned by the Samaritans.
And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them. Lk.9.54-55 NKJV
Vengeance truly belongs to God alone and He will certainly bring every person to judgment. This means of course that I too will stand in His presence. And, what I would want from God for myself should temper what I would want from God for my neighbor. As for handing out justice, God is both just and justifier of those who look to Christ. Let us find encouragement for ourselves in the promises of Christ and instead of calling down fire from heaven, let us call others to find the same comfort we have found in Him. Jesus is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him. Tragically, it is only those who refuse the gift of Christ who need to fear the vengeance of God. 9/26/07 ts
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