Do to Others as You Would Have Them Do to You

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. – Matthew 7:12

Treat others the way you’d want to be treated. The “golden rule” came from Jesus first, and this is a good rule to live by. Although it seems simple enough on the surface, living this out can be challenging.

Instead of treating others the way we’d want to be treated, we often treat others the way they treat us. When someone treats us good, we treat them good. When someone treats us badly, we feel justified in doing the same to them.

It’s easy to love people who are easy to love, but it is often those who are difficult to love who need us to love them the most. That’s not really the topic here.

How do we treat others the same way that we’d want to be treated?

There are some variations depending on our personalities and preferences, but we have enough in common to know how to deal with people in a general sense.

People generally like to be dealt with honestly. People generally appreciate kindness, compassion, and understanding. People generally appreciate having a helping hand in times of trouble or need. People generally like to have people around them who will protect their name, not gossip about them or slander them. People generally like to be appreciated for the things they do that make life a little better for others. People generally like to feel welcomed, encouraged, and supported.

Sometimes we are just too self-centered to think about other people like we should. Sometimes we are too caught up in our defenses to think about other people like we should. Sometimes we are too full of pride or a desire for vengeance to think about other people like we should.

If we seek Jesus in these things, He can show us our selfishness, fears, pride, and vengefulness. Other things get in the way too, like envy and greed. Basically, all the downfalls of human nature get in the way of treating people the way we’d like to be treated—so this simple command becomes very hard for us to do in many instances.

In a society that encourages selfishness and pride as it breeds fear and glorifies vengeance and indignation in the name of justice-so-called, we need to hold this teaching dear to our hearts. In a society that is greedy, envious, covetous, and full of deceit that calls evil good and good evil, we need to hold this teaching dear to our hearts.

If we treat people the way we’d want to be treated, even when it is hard, we might convert some to Jesus and strengthen those who already carry His Name.

Sometimes we don’t know how to deal with a situation. Maybe we need time away to pray and reflect, or maybe there is some sin in our heart that we don’t want to face and deal with. Some situations are complicated, but if we aim to keep to the “golden rule,” Jesus can help us grow in this, and the more we practice treating others the way we’d want to be treated, the more natural it will become. Even when it is hard.

How does this saying fulfill all the law and the prophets?

Elsewhere Jesus says that the great commandment is to love God with all your mind, heart, and soul and to love your neighbor as yourself.

What if your neighbor is doing something very destructive to self or others and they do not want to do any different? What if you were in such a state? What is the loving thing to do if someone is headed to their doom and adamantly so? When God sees us in such a state, He will do whatever He must to get our attention.

I suppose, if we don’t want to be helped, we should expect to be left to our own devises. There is a time for that too. The more our world seems to love wickedness and despise any help, correction, or leading in the right way, it seems more complicated. Yet, I’m certain that there are enough every-day scenarios that we can deal with and strive to do better in. “Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof.”

This article is part of a series that considers the Parables of Jesus. Right now, we are looking at the statements Jesus made during His Sermon on the Mount, to which He referenced in His Parable of the Building on Rock and Sand. Visit the link for quick access to all articles written within this series.

PREVIOUS POST IN THIS SERIES: Seek and You Will Find

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Considering Proverbs 11:23

The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. – Proverbs 11:23

I’m not sure how to read this proverb. Is it saying that the righteous should expect to receive good, or is it saying that the righteous focus on that which is good? Is it saying that the wicked should expect to receive nothing but wrath, or is it saying that the wicked focus on that which brings wrath?

Both are true, but I’m leaning more towards the second.

The righteous are focused on bringing good to others while the wicked are focused on bringing vengeance and destruction.

Justice is a good thing, and sometimes justice requires vengeance. However, in Christ we know that vengeance belongs to God. If He says that it is time for vengeance and wrath, then it’s time for vengeance and wrath. However, as those who want to be righteous, our focus should be on brining blessing, not cursing.

Jesus says, “Bless those that curse you and pray for those that hate you and persecute you, that you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven. For He causes the sun to shine on the evil and the good and brings rain to the just and the unjust.”

Until He doesn’t.

“The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.”

“These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophesy, and have power over waters to turn them to blood and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.”

The above quote refers to the two witnesses in Revelation 11. I bolden that last bit, “as often as they will” for emphasis. Perhaps they will choose not to, but I don’t know. I hold space for that because I believe that it is good for the righteous to focus on bringing good, not wrath.

Even so, there is a time for all things and as wicked men grow worse and worse, and as the world forgets that God is He who holds all things in balance that we take for granted, a reminder might be called for. God will shake the heavens and the earth. He will give man into the delusions of a false god, so perhaps calling our attention to Him is warranted in those times.

It is good to remind mankind of all that He does for us as many hate Him, slander Him, and kill His people. It is good to remind mankind that all things were created by Him and for Him. It is good to remind mankind that blessings are from Him, the power that upholds all things is from Him, true wisdom and righteous judgment is from Him, and Jesus is the only name by which man can be saved from the death that we all have coming because of the destruction we have wrought on the earth.

What are a few plagues compared to the coming of a false christ and the wrath of God that follows? It might be that these things will cause some to wake up and turn to Jesus. That would be good.

Jesus will let us know all things in His time, but I am somewhat moved fearfully as my perceptions of this start to change. “As often as they will” might be often indeed because man will wholesale forget God and follow another, including many who professed the faith of Jesus Christ. Mankind cannot be allowed to forget God, because when they do, He will show Himself and they cannot withstand it.

However, in any time we find ourselves, we can strive to bring blessing. Maybe we bring blessing in the midst of bringing trouble just as God remembers mercy in the midst of judgment.

However, I do not expect any blood-thirsty to receive any such thing from God.

This world is full of blood-thirsty people who jump at any occasion to destroy someone, especially when they feel justified in doing so.

What’s worse is when good becomes evil and evil becomes good. Then, people are happily condemning and destroying the righteous, all the while thinking that they are justified in doing so.

Let us not think that we are better, because we know that any good thing we have comes from God.

Without Him, we would corrupt judgement too and we would condemn the guiltless. This is the nature of man, and the erosion of our Christian culture shows us how great an impact the teachings of Jesus have had on mankind. When abandoned, there is nothing but destruction.

In a world of destruction, we can still do our upmost to bring good and look for that which is good in the world, in others, and most importantly focus on the good things of God in Jesus.

We can bring the gospel of Jesus Christ and we can seek Him so that we can live out the gospel as servants and sons freed by His blood and made alive in His Spirit.

We can praise Jesus despite troubling times and be lifted in spirits as necessary, look inward and repent sorrowfully as necessary, and rejoice in knowing that all things are working together for our good and we will live in the end.

We can focus on that which is good no matter how wicked the world gets, because Jesus provides us with many good things that will never be removed from us, because He and His Kingdom are forever.

“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

PREVIOUS STUDY: Considering Proverbs 11:22 – “As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.”

The purpose of this bible study in The Proverbs is to consider present-day events in terms of the teachings and wisdom of Jesus Christ. Follow in WordPress or subscribe by email (red button at the bottom of each page below the comments) if you would like to join this discussion and receive updates of future posts. Visit the link above for easy access to all posts within this series.

5 Choices That I Hope My Adult Sons Will Make

Life can be hard. It can be especially hard when we don’t have proper guidance as children and young adults. We make foolish choices, often in youth, that negatively impact our entire lives.

My sons have dealt with some blow-back from the foolish choices I have made. We do alright, but some things are just hard.

My oldest son was having a hard day today.

So, I decided to take him out. Just the two of us. We ran a couple errands, and I thought that now would be a good time to let him know some important truths about life.

For one, the difficult things that he has to deal with now are temporary. He has his whole life ahead of him, Lord willing, and if he makes the right choices, he can have a great life.

As far as I can tell, there are five major life choices that will affect the life you live, and I encouraged my son to remember these when be becomes an adult–which is coming sooner than I’m ready for!

1. Put Jesus first.

Jesus has a lot of wisdom to share about how mankind should order their lives, but most importantly, I know that if we serve Him and seek Him first, then He will lead us and all things will work out for our ultimate good. I also know that He works in us to change us into someone who is more like He is. This is the greatest aspiration I have for all my children.

2. Marry a Jesus-loving housewife.

Next to following Jesus, the person we choose to marry might be the single most important decision we make. This affects all areas of our lives and the lives of our children. Although my son will have his own preferences, I do hope and encourage him to marry a good, Jesus loving woman who wants to stay home and raise children.

Why is that?

This might seem old-fashioned, but there is wisdom in this. Children need a mother who is loving, available, and there to care for them and the home. A working mom can only do so much, and a woman who is self-centered or lacking in good character is not a woman I want my son married to or mothering his children. A woman who is willing to put her all into raising a family is the bedrock of a good home and a good life for my son and his children.

However, for this to be possible…

3. Take care of your wife.

My son has to be a good husband and father, and this means being responsible and taking care of his family. He has to work and provide for them. He has to spend time with them. He has to be a strong example of morality and lead his family in following Jesus.

A family is only as strong as the father, and this is a hard truth that our society wants to deny.

So, I want my son to be a good, God-fearing man who will do what he must to be a good husband and father, because this frees his wife to care for the kids—which is critical for a well-balanced and healthy family life.

4. Do something you’re passionate about.

Sometimes reality does not allow for us to follow our passions. We have to be responsible, but if at all possible, I hope that my son can support himself and his family by doing something he loves. Work is a big part of life, and it seems like a good idea to do something that you think is worth-while.

5. Stay away from drugs and alcohol.

A man cannot do any of the above well if he is consumed by drugs and drinking. I’m not opposed to all alcohol use, but any use should be moderate and heavily tempered by self-control. Alcohol should never be used to self-soothe stress or mental and emotional troubles. As for drugs, including tobacco, just don’t. They are addictive, expensive, and they control your life too much. I want my son to be free, not bound to chemical substances.

I hope that I can raise all my sons to make these five important life choices as adults. I don’t care how old-fashioned they might seem because life has shown me just how important these are. Yet, I know that there are many things that will try to influence them, so I pray. I pray that Jesus will guard them and lead them in the right ways.

The dissolution of strong men, strong women, and traditional families is destroying our nation.

Children need mothers and fathers. Mothers need husbands and husbands need wives. It is a cooperative effort that makes the whole family strong, happy, and healthy.

The idea that traditional families are oppressive to women is one of the biggest lies that our society teaches. The idea that men can be women and women can be men is insanely destructive.

All ideas that tear apart at the fabric of the biblical, nuclear family are worth vehemently opposing, as are all ideas the sexualize children. It is all related and it is all abhorrent and abominable. These should be obviously true, but the obvious truth is not within reach of those who love lies and perversions.

God help our nation. God help our sons to be men and our girls to be women. Our future depends on it.

What is Distracting You from Jesus?

How do we develop “ears to hear?”

Jesus says that if we seek, we will find. He speaks to us by the Holy Spirit, but we have to become practiced at this because it can be difficult to hear that “still small voice” and learn to discern His voice from our own.

If we continue praying, learning scripture as we are able, and seek Jesus earnestly—and most importantly—if His grace is for us and we are not asking for things that displease Him, we will receive from Him.

I have been reflecting on the things I’m writing in These Things Saith He, and I know that something is missing from my understanding of Sardis. This is why I write drafts first, because I’m still learning how to listen to the Spirit too.

This morning, I turned to the Lord and simply asked Him. “What scripture to I need to listen to today?” I decided that instead of listening to music while I clean my house or listening to political commentators on YouTube, I should listen to the audio bible. I need to Hear Him better and get away from all distractions.

After I acknowledged this need to hear from Him and not my entertainments or concerns over the world’s issues, and after I asked, “what scripture do I need to hear today?” I got an answer. “Galatians.”

Galatians. Of course. I’m such an idiot, but God is so good and truly if we do seek Him, we will find. As I listened to Galatians, I saw what was lacking in my understanding of Sardis.

We can take what I wrote in These Things Saith He — Overcoming Sardis and filter it through Galatians, which is summarized as being justified by faith and the grace of God, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and not works of the law—including our legalistic, one-time prayers or outward observances of “holiness.” The law makes dead, but faith in Jesus and the gifts of the Spirit make us alive.

Each person needs to work out their own salvation and gifts of the Spirit. I cannot tell anyone what to do, but I do know that sometimes this world is too distracting. It is for me. Some have a gift in political/social matters and this is good because we need leadership in this. That is not for me, though I do what I can in the Proverbs study. It is very limited.

The focus I have in Jesus is to edify the Church by returning our focus on Him above all else. Those who have a focus on Him and are strong in Him might be given other tasks to do, and that is between them and God. However, many of us are weak in the faith and we need to be strengthened, and that is my God-given work. So, I cannot be distracted overmuch with this life.

I say this because I know from experience, and this is a good example, that when we want to hear from God through the Spirit, we need to listen. We cannot listen if our minds are occupied on other things. Even good things, like bible studies, church, Christian music, or reasonable care for the events in our nation and world.

We have to take time out from all of this and focus on Jesus personally. He will answer us in the way that He deems best according to what He would have us to in service to Him and our brethren in Christ.

What is distracting you from Jesus? For me, it’s “cares of this life.” My kids, my work in this world, my cares over the state of the nation and globe, my character inadequacies and fear of failure—just to name a few.

We have to lay it all aside, seek Jesus in faith, and humbly ask Him to reveal to us what He deems best for us, and we should do this daily in some form.

He is our daily bread, our water of life, and He is what sustains us in all things. He gives us forgiveness of sins and He gives us life, even eternal life. Put Him first and keep striving to. Overtime, we will grow in our ability to hear what He is speaking to us. No one can do this for us. We have to do this ourselves.

Seek and You Will Find

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? – Matthew 7:7-11

In another place, Jesus says that “it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” It seems like the things that we should be asking for are those that pertain to the kingdom of heaven—a kingdom in which righteousness dwells and Jesus is Lord over all things.

We do not see that kingdom, but it will come. He will come. Jesus must rule on the earth. A false one comes first, then He comes.

This is also true in heart. First, sin rules. Then, Jesus comes by His Spirit and we are given knowledge of truth that makes us free as He works in us.

The experience of the kingdom that is “within you” is a life-long process of seeking, asking, and receiving from Jesus. However, we don’t always know what to ask for.

One thing we can always ask for is the truth. This world is full of false ideas and half-truths, so having a solid foundation of what is true is good thing to have, especially as the world is given into destructive delusions.

As we learn about what is true, we might need to ask for more things. We might need to ask for mercy, because we have not lived according to what is true. We might need to ask for strength do live in accordance with truth and to speak the truth in a wicked world that hates the truth.

Truth is vast. Jesus is the truth, and the Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of Truth.  There is a truth that tells us who Jesus is. There is truth that tells us what sin is. There is the truth of the fallen state of man. There is truth that tells us what it means to love others as we are loved by God, which requires us to set ourselves aside, live humbly, mercifully, justly, and to care for the needs of others above our own. There is truth that makes alive and there is truth that kills.

There are also many kinds of anti-truth, just as there are many anti-christs. There are many false and lying ideas that possess the minds and hearts of man. There are anti-truths that make sin permissible and claim that man is innately good. There are anti-truths of self-love, self-indulgence, pride, vengeance, greed, and injustice. Anti-truths only destroy. They cannot make anything alive, despite their promises. The only life they can offer is false promises of security, prosperity, power, and pleasure.

Ani-truths cannot withstand the real Truth, because the real Truth will destroy them.

Therefore, let us seek and find Truth, and Jesus is the only way. When we find truth, we need mercy and forgiveness of our sins that “miss the mark” of truth. The blood of Jesus provides this for us and there is no other way. Then, when we keep the truth as demonstrated by the teachings of Jesus, He will send us the Holy Spirit of Truth, also known as The Comforter.

With the Holy Spirit within us, teaching us, leading us, and conforming our hearts and minds to Jesus, we will experience another true saying of Jesus which is, “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.”

Our natural state is to speak lying things because we have a corrupt heart. Jesus gives us a new one, and this is the beginning of our inheritance as sons of God and heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven as demonstrated to us when we receive the Holy Spirit as the “earnest of our inheritance.”

We need to seek Truth, particularly the Holy Spirit of Truth that only comes in the name of Jesus to those who keep His words and want to live according to them. See John 14-16 for more information on this topic.

Jesus tells us to knock and the door will be opened. If He wills it, He can “set before you an open door, and no man can shut it.” The door that He opens is one that brings us closer to Him through experiential knowledge of the Truth and the ability to live in the Truth by the power of the Truth that is within us.

We cannot do anything on our own because we are all liars without Him. Thanks to God the Father who loved us enough to give His Son for us, who died to forgive our sins.

He also said, “it is expedient for you that I go away, for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you. But if I depart, I will send Him unto you and when He comes, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” Jesus also died to make the Holy Spirit available to us all, not just to some as in the Old Covenant. We can all seek. We can all find. We can all receive and serve Jesus and His Kingdom in Spirit and in Truth. As Jesus said, this is what the Father wants. He is a Spirit, and those who worship Him must do so in Spirit and in Truth.

Any god-so-called that is not of the truth is anti-truth and anti-christ. If we abide in the Truth, we will not be moved and we can rest on the true, faithful promises of Jesus who will keep us in all things, even raising us from the dead at His coming—a coming that will burn as an oven, destroying all lying things with TRUTH.

“I am come to set fire on the earth, and what will I, if it be already kindled?”

This article is part of a series that considers the Parables of Jesus. Right now, we are looking at the statements Jesus made during His Sermon on the Mount, to which He referenced in His Parable of the Building on Rock and Sand. Visit the link for quick access to all articles written within this series.

PREVIOUS POST IN THIS SERIES: Don’t Cast Your Pearls Before Swine

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Considering Proverbs 11:22

As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

An article of golden jewelry is beautiful until it is placed in the snout of a pig. It is the same with a beautiful woman who lacks sound judgment.

This is an interesting proverb. I wonder if this is the reason why many feminists are fond of nose rings that look like a jewel in a pig’s snout. Do they do this to scoff at this proverb, or does God enjoy this bit of irony as He gives them over to this modern fashion statement?

It’s easy to poke fun, but we might be lacking good judgement ourselves when we do. I know at least one, nose-ring-wearing feminist, and I love this person and I hope that God will call her to Jesus someday. She and I have a very similar history, and I know that any good judgment that I have came from God.

I’ve been a very foolish person in many ways, and as I’ve written about before, my lousy judgment had a lot to do with living with a trauma-riddled brain. It’s amazing how difficult it is to make good, wise, and strong decisions when you have no real bases for what is true, what is good, and when you do not trust your own perceptions of reality. I don’t know how common this is, but I sympathize with women who are foolish because of trauma thinking.

I also know that Jesus can do amazing things. He can teach us discretion (judgement). In-fact, I think that those who do not trust in themselves and their own judgment are just the sort of people that Jesus can use and teach, because He is glorified in them since they know just how foolish they naturally are without Him.

There are a lot of women in our society that need to learn sound judgment. There is an epidemic of sorts in this regard, leading to all sorts of problems in our nation.

It does not matter how a woman looks outwardly when she does not value the right things.

If a woman does not value strong, male leadership, then she will find herself trying to do it all on her own or joined with someone who makes her feel as if she might as well be alone—or worse yet—wind up moving from man to man because she attracts the wrong sorts of people.

If a woman does not value motherhood, she might jump on the bandwagon of “my body, my choice,” thereby condoning the murder of her children before they are ever born. Or she might take up motherhood half-heartedly and negligently while she makes friends with other moms who justify her bad mothering.

If a woman values serving herself instead of others, she will find praise in a society that encourages her to do whatever makes her happy, no matter who she hurts along the way. Women today are encouraged to be vain, self-serving, and to distort reality in favor of “their truth.” Their unhealthy lifestyles and poor mental states are considered brave and fashionable.

A society full of damaged women without good judgment is sure to fail.

I know of a woman who was raised by a mother who lacked good judgment. This mother was emotionally and physically abusive and encouraged all sorts of worldly mindsets, including a half-hearted Christianity based on an idea of an all-love Jesus with no standards of righteousness because we are simply forgiven when we pray a prayer once. This woman was raised to hate men and to rely on herself, but she was also raised to hate herself and to do whatever she must to get even the smallest morsels of love, even if that meant denying her own boundaries and judgments.

This woman I know feels as if our society is being raised by her mother, and it’s going to be hell.

Yet, there is hope for all of us in Jesus.

If we turn to Him, He can do amazing things. He can free our minds from untruths as He shows us His truth and makes us strong in Him. He can take that ring out of the pig’s snout, put it to the fire, reshape it, and make it into something new and useful. I know because I have experienced it, and there is more to be done. There’s always more to be done, but we can still look at what has been done and be thankful.

Truly, nothing can get in-between our Savior and those He chooses to save. Nothing.

PREVIOUS STUDY: Considering Proverbs 11:21 – “Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.”

The purpose of this bible study in The Proverbs is to consider present-day events in terms of the teachings and wisdom of Jesus Christ. Follow in WordPress or subscribe by email (red button at the bottom of each page below the comments) if you would like to join this discussion and receive updates of future posts. Visit the link above for easy access to all posts within this series.

These Things Saith He – Overcoming Sardis

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. – Revelation 3:1-6

The troubles within the Church of Sardis seem to be summarized as stagnant, dead faith. There are two camps of Christian thought that we might attribute to this problem today.

One is the idea that a person can recite a certain prayer or make a one-time commitment to Jesus then claim that their salvation is assured, even if they do not go on to live a Christian life from that point on, but instead go about living their lives as they please without committing themselves to Jesus’s service. They claim to be alive in Christ by the blood of Jesus, but there is no fruit of their faith.

Some hold this idea and do live a generally upright life. However, they reach a place of righteousness that they deem acceptable then stop there, failing to continue to grow because their lives are cleaned up outwardly enough to create an appearance of being a good Christian. Yet, their inner world is sinful and they use the blood of Jesus to justify themselves without repentance or care for their state or for service that goes beyond legalism, going to church, and doing good to be seen by others.

Another is similar to the first. There is a notion among some who are of the holiness mindset that a person is not capable of sin if they follow Jesus sincerely. They consider themselves to be without sin, not merely by the blood of Jesus, but in their day-to-day lives.

How are these similar?

These are similar because they create the same outcomes: a failure to be honest about sin, a failure to repent from sin as it manifests in their life, and a failure to grow in the things of God given of the Spirit of God through Jesus Christ. Both claim to be sinless. Both claim to be alive in some capacity, yet the fruit is not life but stagnancy and death.

How do we overcome the troubles found within the Church of Sardis?

Let’s consider the first camp of thought.

We need to recognize that being saved from sin and death through Jesus also means entering His service. We cannot expect to live as we did before, without regard for sin or for seeking Jesus so that we can be gifted in the Spirit and made useful for His purposes and for our brethren in Christ.

Although our salvation is freely given by the grace of God, grace does not leave a person bound to a life of servitude to sin but makes us free from sin in a tangible way according to the measure of grace we received, the service we are given, and the amount of time that we have available to live out our lives as Christians and grow in righteousness.

We were bought with the precious price of the Son of God. Though freely given to us, the cost is extremely high. God became a man and died for us in a brutal and humiliating manner. We owe Him everything, even our own lives on this earth. That is the least we can do. As Paul the apostle stated, giving up our lives for Jesus is our “reasonable service.”

If we give our lives for Jesus, then He will work in us, change our sinful nature so that we are more like Him, and give us things to do that will honor His name and help people grow up in Him—and there is always more to growth to seek. We might clean up our act to a large degree, but that should not keep us from continuing to seek the Lord so that He might search out the sin in our lives and help us overcome. We cannot be negligent and stagnant.

If we neglect our salvation and count the blood of the Son of God as some light thing that we can take advantage of, then our faith is dead and we are not saved. If we have faith in Jesus, then we will want to get to know Him. We will learn about Him. We will see that He expects us to live uprightly. We will learn that He promised to send us the Holy Spirit and to work His righteousness in us in this present life. This is His work in us, not our works. He will do it because He is faithful, and we put our faith and trust in Him.

It is hard to have faith that Jesus can change us. We see how sinful we are and we feel hopeless. Maybe we even love our sin and we feel ashamed about that. If we are honest about our sin and approach Jesus, He will not despise us or reject us. That is the first step. We must be honest about who we are and know that Jesus is the only way.

We also need to forge a real relationship with Jesus through prayer, learning the scriptures as we are able, and continuing to seek Him despite the challenges we face with sin or with troubles in this life. We also remember that performing outward rituals or good works is not the same as a real relationship with Jesus.

As we get to know Him and spend real time with Him personally, we will see His work in us and our faith is made stronger. We will not defile our garments because we trust in Jesus to cover our sin because we are no longer servants of this world and of sin, but of the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ.

Now, let’s consider the second camp of thought.

As Christians, we want to live without sin. We do not want to bring shame to the name of Jesus. Because of this, it can be tempting to claim to live a sinless life, especially when we see a drastic change that is so far removed from the life that we lived before.

However, if we believe that a Christian must be without any sin in this world to truly be saved or to have received the Holy Spirit, we might begin to justify our sinful actions to retain the illusion of being sinless.

We must remember that the righteousness of God is very deep and broad, even searching the intentions of the heart and the thoughts of the mind. The righteousness of God cannot be attained by doing outward things only, and those who want to be holy often hold themselves to high standards in their manner of dress, worship, church attendance, and the need for community outreach.

The outer works are great, but what about the hidden things that are easy to neglect? What about vanity? What about pride? What about greed and covetousness? What about addiction to luxurious living? What about misjudging people and falsely accusing them outwardly or in the heart?

There is always going to be more to gain in Jesus, no matter how righteous we think we have become. We must remember what Jesus said about the Pharisee and the tax collector. An honest sinner is more accepted by God than a person who calls themselves righteous.

There is another problem that both camps of thought have in common.

Both tend to accuse other Christians of being false, fake, or possessed by evil spirits.

Take the first camp of thought. Those who believe in a one-time declaration of faith, also called “faith plus nothing” often accuse those of the holiness mindset, who are often charismatic Christians, of supporting works-based salvation or of falsifying spiritual experiences. They look down on those who are of the holiness mindset, esteeming their faith to be superior. Many also get consumed by the sins of others because they fail to look at their own sin honestly.

Take the second camp of thought. Those who believe in holiness often accuse other Christians of being false, part of the Great Whore, or otherwise in league with Satan. They look down on those who are of the “faith plus nothing” mindset, esteeming themselves superior. Many also get consumed by the sins of others because they fail to look at their own sin honestly.

Claiming to be without sin is dangerous, especially if we start to condemn others while we hypocritically live in sin ourselves. Refer again to Matthew 24 and Luke 12.

We do not want to be found “drunken” with our false sense of sinlessness and superiority and our condemning of others who we see as lesser Christians, or worse yet, not Christians at all. We are all in differing stages of growth, and we do not know what the Lord might do with any of us.

It seems that we can defile our garments in two ways, though they are connected. We can defile our garments by taking the blood of Jesus onto ourselves without proper respect, service, and regard for the things of God and true relationship with Jesus. We can also defile our garments with the blood of other who we self-righteously hate, accuse, and condemn.

Both require us to turn a blind eye to our own sin and to repent as we keep the first and great commandment: “Thou shalt love thy Lord with all thy heart, soul, and mind.”

If we keep this commandment, then we will naturally progress in the right things. We will not defile ourselves with love of sin and murderous intents towards fellow man.

In summation, when Jesus returns, we do not want to be found in a state of stagnancy, worldliness, false accusations, slanders, and hatred of our fellow servants. We also do not want Jesus to come as a thief and stranger, but as our friend. We must get to know Him and serve Him faithfully as we look to our own sin, grow in the Spirit, and serve one another as He would have us to do—which means we live for Him and not ourselves, our greed, our gain, our vanity, our pride, or anything else that our modern Christian society deems acceptable. We belong to Him and Him alone.

When He returns, we will hear, “well done, good and faithful servant.” Our name will not be blotted out but written in heaven forever.

PREVIOUS CHAPTER: These Things Saith He – Sardis Overview

NEXT:  These Things Saith He – Scripture for Sardis

All Current “These Things Saith He” Drafts

The above is the draft version of a chapter to a book I plan to write and publish in a manner that is free of charge to the public.

I wrote in These Things Saith He: Contents that I will publish the drafts here first and offer opportunity for others to share their thoughts before the final work is completed.

I’m open to and greatly value the insight, experiences, and thoughts of my Christian brethren because we are a body knit together in Christ that is meant to work together without over reliance on our leaders. I am not your leader, but I do try to be faithful to what I have received to the best of my ability, and I look to Jesus for gracious judgment of my service and the service of all who truly love Him.

Don’t Cast Your Pearls Before Swine

Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. – Matthew 7:6

Jesus made this statement after those He made concerning judgment. It seems connected. If the judgements that we make are correct and of God, then there is going to be some wisdom and value to these judgments. However, if we give these judgments to people who will hate them, then we can expect to be hated. Perhaps even slandered or persecuted.

Why would Jesus say this, knowing that His people are going to experience many turning on them for speaking the things of God? Aren’t we supposed to proclaim good and true things boldly, especially those that pertain to the Kingdom of God which Jesus later calls a “pearl of great price?”

There is a time to speak up about what is good and true and there is a time to be silent. Sometimes we speak up, knowing full well what the outcome will be. Even if it is one that means difficulty or suffering on our part. Sometimes, it is better to refrain yourself.

Some people cannot be reached and you know this to be true. Sometimes that is because they are an enemy who you know will do harm in some way if faced with some truth, so you just keep silent.

Sometimes people just aren’t ready for hard truth, so you wait until a better time because you love them and you trust in the Lord’s timing. Jesus did that when He said, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now.” However, He was not talking to dogs and swine, but those He loved. Not exactly the same thing.

Sometimes it is better to concentrate your efforts on those who are more likely to hear. Once they are reached, then move on to others if the Lord leads. If no one hears and it is a matter of great importance, it might be time to speak to all people in general. Especially if the Lord commands it. Even if it means dire consequences. Jesus also states, “blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

So, we should cast that which is holy to the dogs and our pearls before swine sometimes?

This does not seem to be a cut-and-dry matter, unless I’m misunderstanding what Jesus is talking about in the first place. I do not think He was saying this as a command so much as a statement about the nature of mankind. He knows what happens to those who stand up for good things. Jesus also said to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” We have to use good judgment in all things, lest we suffer needlessly.

This is an especially difficult thing to consider in our digital age. Those of us who publish online have no control over who will view the things we create, including our enemies. Sometimes our enemies are the ones who pay the most attention to us, hoping to trap us in our words or find a reason to accuse us.

In any case, there is always one thing that we can do when dealing with a matter that is nuanced. We can pray. We can seek the Lord always and trust in His lead. We don’t always perceive that He is leading and we don’t always know exactly what He is doing with us, but we can trust that His was are good, He is in control, and He will cause His servants to fulfill the duties for which they were created. Even if they do not really understand what they are.

Sometimes all that we can do is take it one day at a time and prayerfully attempt to be good stewards over the things we received of the Lord. If we receive knowledge of His teachings, His expectations and will for us, or His judgements, we might have some responsibility to make these known even if it results in “giving that which is holy to the dogs” or “casting your pearls before swine.”

If this is the case, and if we find ourselves surrounded by enemies as a result, we can trust in the mercy of God for us in Jesus Christ. He might make a way for us to pass through our enemies like He did many times. He might give us words of wisdom that no one can resist like He spoke many times. He also might call us to lay our lives down and trust in the resurrection, just as He trusted in and submitted to the will of the Father.

This article is part of a series that considers the Parables of Jesus. Right now, we are looking at the statements Jesus made during His Sermon on the Mount, to which He referenced in His Parable of the Building on Rock and Sand. Visit the link for quick access to all articles written within this series.

PREVIOUS POST IN THIS SERIES: Judge Not That Ye Be Not Judged (Part 3) – Reward Her Even As She Rewarded You

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Overcoming Evil with Good (Part 4) How is this Preparation?

What does overcoming evil with good have to do with preparing for the end times? Let’s recap what we have discussed in the previous articles within this series.

In Overcoming Evil with Good (Part 1) What is Evil? we discussed:

• The definition of evil.
• The importance of separating the evil idea or sin from the individual.
• The fact that due to the very nature of evil, it is impossible to overcome evil with evil.
• The gospel of the kingdom of heaven.

In Overcoming Evil with Good (Part 2) What is Good? we discussed:

• The definition of good.
• The importance of following Jesus to learn what is good.
• Ways in which good overpowers evil.
• Confusing evil and good.

In Overcoming Evil with Good (Part 3) What Does Jesus Teach? we discussed ways in which Jesus overcomes evil with good including:

• Overcoming death with life.
• Overcoming bondage with liberty.
• Overcoming judgment with mercy.
• Overcoming persecution of his people with wrathful judgment.

When I consider all the above points along with my understanding of the end times—which is not complete—there are some things that come to mind. Before getting into this, I want to say something important, which I do not think I’ve mentioned during the preparing for end times series.

As of now, my understanding of the end times events, like those in Revelation, is very limited. I am much better at applying these teachings to this present time.

I think that is best, because we only have this present life to get our hearts set on the kingdom, and sufficient to this time is the evil that can keep us on the road to destruction. So, I will write about my thoughts for this present time and my speculation about future events based on the scriptures.

Knowing the Difference Between Good and Evil

What can we say about this issue today? As Christians, if we are serious about the Lord and his teachings, we should be able to think of ways in which our society already confuses evil with good. We might even suppose that this is worsening, at least in the United States. I cannot speak for other parts of the world.

As Christians, we should always be seeking first the kingdom of God and its righteousness. Pursuing a godly lifestyle through the guidance, patience, and power of the Holy Spirit is a fundamental aspect of our life. If we are not listening to the Holy Spirit, but we are instead listening to the spirit of the times, then most likely we are calling evil good and good evil.

As the spirit of the times continues to darken while calling evil good and good evil, then we are in great danger, and we might be worshiping evil instead of the Lord if we succumb to social pressures.

That might sound impossible, but is it really?

Look at this time. How many profess Jesus yet call evil good and good evil? How may profess Jesus yet slander or outcast those who stand up for what is true and righteous? The ways in which we currently confuse evil with good and vice-versa are vast. So much so, that a book could be written on it. There is no way to sum it up here.

Sure, I could write some buzz words, right? Yet, to do so would neglect the complexities of these issues and the fact that right and wrong occur on every single side—and Christians are not immune. Not even in the slightest, minus the mercy of the Lord. We must keep seeking him to reveal his will to us.

If we think we are so rooted in the Lord that we will not fall away during the last times, a time in which evil and good are totally confused, then we might not be acting honestly with ourselves. Chances are we already confuse some matter of evil and good, even if its only a small matter hidden in the heart.

If you want to be one who does not confuse evil with good in the last days, then be one who does not confuse evil with good now. Seek Jesus, ask for the Holy Spirit in Jesus name, and search yourself with honesty. We all have hidden delusions that confuse evil and good, but if we really want to do what is right, the Lord will help us.

Remaining Patient with the Sinful

It’s so easy to look at sinful people and despise them, forgetting we have also been sinful. How do we treat sinful people today? Do we consider ourselves as better than them? Do we belittle them and otherwise abuse them?

We can disagree with people without abusing them. This is hard when we are not given that same treatment, and we see this now. We are not allowed to say certain things that might offend someone. If we do, we are deemed abusive, and the irony is the other side will then abuse us simply for stating our beliefs. We cannot stoop to that level.

No matter how bad it gets, we are not to repay evil for evil. We do not hate those that hate us. We stand firm in the gospel and keep preaching Jesus to them, no matter the cost. Most importantly, we preach Jesus by how we live our life. You cannot deny Jesus, not just with your lips, but with what you think and do.

If things keep going as they are, it is not hard to consider how we might be shut out simply by living a Christian life. Simply resisting evil ideas and evil actions in a world utterly dark that calls evil good and good evil would be sufficient to be outcast socially, forbade from buying and selling, and even persecuted and killed—and no matter how bad it gets, we cannot lose the gospel.

We cannot hate them. We cannot overcome evil with evil. How hard would that be!? How hard is it now to turn the other cheek? How hard is it now to have compassion for the sinful instead of despising them? How hard is it to remain humble and not feel as if we are better? Now is the time to learn this.

Standing for What is True and Good Despite Severe Persecution

In a time when family betrays each other to death, all the while thinking they are doing God’s service, do we think we will remain faithful to the Lord, Jesus—and not some imposter? It’s so easy to be like Peter, so sure that we will never deny Jesus.

How might we be denying Jesus today? In what ways do we honor the Lord in word but deny what he teaches because it is inconvenient for us in some way? How do our works deny Jesus? I know, we are not saved by works. Yet, true salvation wrought in living faith will produce righteous works. We will get into that more when we go over James.

We do not want to be among those who honor the Lord with their lips yet deny him with their works. You cannot deny Jesus, not just with your lips, but with what you think and do.

Today, if we do not conform to the social pressures of this world, we are at the very least socially reviled. If we cannot handle that without denying the truth about Jesus, then how do we expect to do so when the heat is turned up? Even now, among Christianity, if we stand up for the true gospel instead of legalistic gospels or prosperity gospels, we are shunned, socially reviled, and “put out of the synagogue” very often. How much more when that Great Whore is wholly given over?

Finding Peace in the Judgment of the Lord

Many today do not like to talk about the wrath of the Lord, and I do not mean the common ideas about eternal conscience torment. I mean the vengeance of Jesus when he returns to overthrow the evil powers of this world, chiefly the false prophet and his corrupt world system.

I tell you what, if you’re a Christian and you’re enduring the end-time persecution, you will be begging for the Lord to come and avenge you and your loved ones. Consider the whole picture.

You are a Christian. Christians are being cast out of the marketplace, they’ve lost their jobs, and they are being hunted down and killed. Yet, in order to retain your identity as a Christian, you cannot give into this. You cannot deny Jesus, not just with your lips, but with what you think and do.

You cannot kill. You cannot steal. You cannot hate those who are killing your loved ones. All you will have is your faith, knowing that Jesus will raise you and your loved ones from the dead if you keep his word and remain patient with those who are given into the accusing spirit of the times. Vengeance belongs to Jesus, and you know that he will come. He will slay those that persecute you. He will come. He will!

Considering the Problem of the Two Witnesses

There is one event in the Bible that has thrown me for a loop since I’ve been considering the idea of overcoming evil with good, and that is the two witnesses of Revelation 11.

I strongly believe that we are absolutely commanded not to overcome evil with evil. In Revelation 11 we see the two witnesses casting plagues “as often as they will” and devouring their enemies with a fire that comes from their mouths. So, I cannot say Christians must remain totally patient and never do any harm to anyone without considering this seeming contradiction.

There are only two ways I can look at this, and I do not know which is correct. Like I wrote, my ability is mostly towards applying last days events to this present time — and no, we are not in the last days yet.

The first would be to consider that the Bible teaches us there is a time and place for everything under the sun. I think about when Jesus told his disciples that they do not know what spirit they are of when they wanted to act violently. That could imply that there is a time in which violence is called for. Or, what Jesus said could continue even until the end.

I cannot say for sure that the two witnesses will not be violent, but if they are, then it would have to be during the extenuating circumstances of the last days. As of now, we should remain at peace with everyone as much as it is possible with compassion, patience, and faith in the timing and righteous judgment Lord.

The second way I look at the actions of the two witnesses is metaphorical or otherwise misunderstood by common beliefs. I’ve speculated that since the Bible says they will cast all manner of plagues “as often as they will,” this leaves room for the will to not cast plagues. Could they have power and refrain from using it, like Jesus did? Jesus had power to call down legions of angels, yet he died instead. What a testimony for “the remnant” who are commanded to do the same, right? Who are commanded to not be overcome with evil, but to lay life down. As for the fire, with this interpretation, I would have to say that the fire is the word of God. Those who do not receive the word of God will deny Jesus, and they will die.

If we deny Jesus, we will die. We will probably be told that if we deny the beast then we will die. Yet, if we remain faithful to Jesus, we might die in the flesh, but we will escape the second death and live eternally! I do think of Peter though. Could there be exceptions? Sure. Especially if the exception mimics Peter. If we deny Jesus with our lips because the flesh is weak, yet in our heart of hearts we love the Lord, he might choose to be merciful. I would certainly not recommend that though, and to rely on that mercy is tempting God. To tempt God is not wise, and that alone could lead to being rejected because it indicates a severe deficiency of heart and lack of faith.

*Inserted morning after publishing* I forgot to mention, and I was reminded, that the Two Witnesses are partially identified as the two candlesticks. You will notice, that in Revelation 2-3 there are 7 churches (called the 7 candlesticks) and only 2 of those 7 were not rebuked. These later become the 2 witnesses. These are the approved churches and body of Christ, which are many people. Not just two. That is how I was taught it, and this seems true to me.

In Conclusion

I know this was a long article, and if you made it through the whole thing and have questions, please leave a comment below or email me. Let’s see if I can condense this into something more digestible.

The Christian life means something. It means seeking first the things of the kingdom of heaven. It means seeking Jesus with our whole heart with faith that the Lord will free us from sin and forgive us.

In the last days, a time in which evil and good are totally confused to the point in which living a Christian life means your death, we must hold fast to Jesus. This goes much further than outward confession of Jesus, but even down to the way we live.

No matter how dark it gets, we do not stoop to the level of evil. We do not deny the teaching of Jesus by becoming hateful or accepting the ways of this world. We continue living and preaching the gospel, even unto our death. Those who do not hear and keep the gospel which we live and speak will die. They might escape death on the surface according to false promises of “the beast,” but they will die in the end. Read about the vials of the wrath of God and the second death. If we are faithful, we will live. We might die in the flesh, but we will be resurrected at the coming of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Will there be a time in which Christians are casting plagues and the like? Maybe. Yet, I think about when Jesus came as the messiah. He was not what they expected. They expected a kind of vain idea. I consider many of our ideas about the two witnesses to be just as vain, but who knows? Only Jesus knows for sure, and it will be revealed for certain according to his timing.

The last days will be terrible. So much confusion, pressure to deny Jesus, and death. The only way to endure that is to begin now. Begin seeking Jesus now. Learn how he expects us to order our life now. Learn to resist evil with good now. If you expect “the rapture” to save you, then that’s not good. We are to be doing things that prepare us now, no matter what time we live in. For more on that read, Seeking First The Kingdom of God.

The Lord will grow you in strength and faith, and should we be here when that day comes, I believe he will extend much peace to those who trust in the Lord. With elation in the coming kingdom, knowing that this time of trouble will bring forth something beautiful, knowing that JESUS WILL COME, we will endure. Jesus will keep those who sincerely love him, not allowing them to become deceived or to fall away from the faith.

Originally Posted on October 29, 2018 by Amanda on KindlingTruth.com

This is the last post of a four-part article series that is nestled within a larger series on end-time preparedness. Since it contains the links to the other 4 articles, I thought it would be simpler to repost this article rather than all four.

I quit KindlingTruth and started The Lord Alone for reasons that I do not fully understand myself, but I have wanted to republish some of the work here. The last post that I republished was part of the Preparing for End Times Series entitled, “Seek First the Kingdom of God.” The four articles within this post are last that I completed of that series.

Sorry about the posting issues. At first I “reblogged” this from KindlingTruth but I did not like how it turned out so I deleted that post and made this one.

Considering Proverbs 11:21

Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. – Proverbs 11:21

Having allies can be a good thing, like we discussed in Considering Proverbs 11:14. When the strong band together against evil, there is safety. It’s the lone stragglers that get picked out and devoured. The recent trucker convoy is a good example of a righteous band of people standing together for a good cause, and the more people stand with them, the safer we all are.

However, as we band together against tyranny, make no mistake. The tyrants band together too. Concerning the “beast” of the last days, it is written that many will be of one mind and will give their power and strength to the beast.

People are naturally communal and this is good for us. However, we are also easily manipulated and convinced to join in with movements that are wicked and destructive.

This is why Christian culture is so important. Jesus teaches us what is good and true, and by the Holy Spirit our hearts are made to know the righteous way and we are given the strength to grow in these things.

This is also why many hate Christian culture and there are many “heads” of what seems to be a formation of this “beast” or a type of it. There are many ideas and movements that are coming together to destroy all that is good and true.

Many band together for causes of racism and discrimination. Yet, they cause racism and discrimination and they love doing so.

Many band together for the cause of condoning and praising various sexual acts and gender identities while they encourage women to murder their children or to forego the natural rolls of motherhood. They also despise anything that resembles strong, masculine leadership. The rolls of male and female are under assault while mental illness is glorified.

Many band together to fight global warming and other environmental concerns.

Many band together to push medical mandates that will keep people “safe.”

Many band together to eliminate freedom of speech or support of those who protest tyranny.

Many band together to reshape the economies of our world.

Many band together as allies in the tech and business realm, gaining further control over the world due to our technological dependance and addition to comfort.

What do all of these have in common?

A sense of victimhood, moral superiority, the desire for vengeance, and greed. They also use the pain of many, fear, and half-truths to deceive.

We are also dealing with minority groups. When you give outcasts a voice and make them feel strong and supported, they will become your allies. They are forging an army outcasts who are built up with pride and a sense of moral superiority and vengeance.

The sad thing is, those who push these agendas do not truly care about the people and causes they are wielding as weapons against us. Why then do they push these things? Why create these alliances of delusion and hate?

It seems to me that all of this banding together is meant to weaken us all and cause us to fight amongst ourselves so that some can gain control, power, and wealth while they enslave us in digital chains. It’s an invasion that rivals all the great conquerors of history because instead of invading physical lands—though we can expect that too—they invade us technologically as they grapple for power in this digital age. This is a war of the mind and heart.

Jesus is great at dealing with matters of the mind and heart, and it does not matter how many band against us to destroy us, they will not prevail.

Our minds and our hearts rest in Jesus Christ no matter what and they are kept by Him, His teachings, His Spirit, and His blood. Nothing can take us from Him. Our souls belong to Him and in Him we are safe.

The wicked will pay for what they do. It does not matter how strong their bands seem to be. Ours is stronger. We band together in Jesus Christ knowing that the wicked will not be unpunished and we will be delivered from our adversaries. Our deliverance might mean death and resurrection, but there is escape from the second death—a death that no one can escape without Jesus.

Knowing all of this, what should we do?

Every Christian individual must seek Jesus and find out what He would have them do. Some things we all do. We keep the teachings of Jesus and seek Him so that we can live Christian lives despite residing in a world of confusion, unjust alliances, division, and hate. We do not let this world consume us, filling us with fear and unrighteous hatred of our fellow man.

We preach the gospel and live the gospel–a gospel that can truly help the outcasts, minorities, and emotionally/mentally wounded who the elites are controlling, using, and will undoubtedly destroy.

We also stand by the truth peaceably and unwaveringly in whatever manner we are called to do so in Christ. As we do this, we also remain truthful about our own sin. This keeps us humble, merciful, and positions us in a place where we can be strengthened in the Lord by the Spirit to stand strong in these days.

We need both, really. We need to look to our own sins first both individually and collectively as Christians, and if we do so and repent then maybe God will restore peace to our land and cause our enemies’ plans to fail. This is fundamental. We have to remove the “beams” from our eyes first so that we ca be useful for God.

We also have a moral responsibility to make a stand for what is right—but we do so as Christians—as we love our enemies, knowing that they are blind and being used by elites who do not care about them or us, and if it were not for the grace of God, we would be no different.

PREVIOUS STUDY: Considering Proverbs 11:20 – “They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.“

The purpose of this bible study in The Proverbs is to consider present-day events in terms of the teachings and wisdom of Jesus Christ. Follow in WordPress or subscribe by email (red button at the bottom of each page below the comments) if you would like to join this discussion and receive updates of future posts. Visit the link above for easy access to all posts within this series.