Justice In Love, Not Malice Through Revenge

"And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." -1Thes. 5:14-18

Have you been hurt by someone? The closer the person, the greater the pain ...right? Have you ever been the haughty one ...frustrated with those who don't share your thinking, or standard?? Do you taste the bitter gile of revenge welling up within you? JUSTICE ....your heart screams!!! REVENGE ....the Spirit hears. Afraid ...the truth be known. Afraid of embarrassment, shame, and ridicule. Afraid of being overwhelmed by "them". "Pride" wells within us. It erodes the very foundations of who God intends for us to be. THIS is why we are not given a spirit of fear! Not by our Father. "Ignorance, and prejudice, and fear walk hand in hand" ...to quote Neil Peart.

Paul was teaching the Thessalonians to be unified as much as possible, especially among brothers & sisters in Christ. But he said to "always seek to do good to one another and to everyone." He said to build others up, and not be vengeful. He charged them to "always" rejoice, trusting God's providence, praying always, and being thankful. These are character traits of God's redeemed. They are not the nature of those without Christ.

Wrath, bitterness, maliciousness, spitefulness, nor revenge, nor fear, nor ignorance ....have any place among the redeemed. We are bought and paid for, free from such fearful, angry, self-serving characteristics. We are free to depend, fully, upon the Father, and to do so in all things.

The redeemed rest easy ....not from exhaustion; that comes with a sinful, bitter heart ....but from trusting, and dependance upon, the Lord; born of a changed heart, a peace-loving heart ....a heart which desires the weary & restless to find the same refuge ...even those who have wronged us, or of whom we're afraid.

For "all" have sinned, and fall short of God's glory, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Free To Surrender

"But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak." -1 Corinthians 8:9

With freedom in Christ, comes the responsibility of "being Christian"; not dotting every "I", nor crossing every "T", but submitting to the entire counsel of God's word. Paul forfeit his rights for the sake of defending the faith and showing others The Way. Freedom in Christ ensures freedom from God's punishment of sin, not freedom to sin, no; but to submit our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to the Lord.

An Unwilling God

We don't lose an ounce of sleep when the wicked perish. God is not willing that "any" should perish, but that all would come to repentance.

"Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? -Ezekiel 18:23

Worth Dying For

"When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously." -Daniel 6:10

The story of Daniel reminds us ...until we've found something worth dying for ...we haven't really lived.

Let Go and Let God?? What does that mean?

"I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O LORD, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing" -Jeremiah 10:23-24

Do you realize who is, ultimately, in control? Is it really you? Do you believe in One who controls time and existence? Does stubborn pride prevent an ability to surrender to One greater than yourself? Jesus said......""Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me." -John 14:1