Paul asked a good question in Romans 9:20: "O man, who are you to reply against God?" Maybe there was a day when people realised the implications of arrogantly speaking against God and His wisdom, but it is not today. I shudder when I hear the swelling words and vain philosophies of people who vaunt themselves over the Almighty LORD of hosts, the Creator and Judge of all the earth. Woe to those who say they know better than God! Professing to be wise, such expose their own folly. These voices who oppose God have the same demonic tenor of those who shouted before Pilate concerning Jesus Christ, "Away with Him! Crucify Him!"
It is a simple thing to point fingers at the faults of others, but followers of Jesus Christ ought to live as He did in a secular culture and faithfully examine our own hearts. We cannot stoop to the level of such who speak proudly in arrogance, hating any who oppose them. If we do not have compassion on those who are deceived and deliberately adding to their guilt before a holy God by rebellion and pride, we sin by refusing to love others as God does. Passion without love and compassion is sin. We must stand fast on the Word of God, for only then do we find an unshakeable foundation under our feet. It is good to uphold righteousness, especially in a sinful world. Love does not oppose righteousness but completes it. We will surely suffer for such a clear stand, but praise God for His abundant consolation.
Consider what is written in 1 Peter 2:20-23: "For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously..." Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem, filled with people scattered as sheep without a shepherd. They refused to believe Jesus was the Son of God, rejected His sound teaching, and scorned His outstretched arms of love. Those few faithful followers of Jesus today are to follow His example of compassion, mercy and grace when we are maligned, belittled, and slandered falsely.
Brothers and sisters, let us not shy away from using the truth of scripture to combat the satanic deceptions at work in the minds and hearts of people today. Why use secondary sources or statistics when we can speak forth the powerful words of God? When Peter spoke to the unbelieving Sanhedrin, he quoted the scriptures. After Philip ran to the Ethiopian eunuch, he preached Christ from the Word of God. Whether Paul spoke to unbelieving Jews, Roman rulers, or the philosophers in Athens, he preached from the Bible. Preaching the Word of God is a single thread connecting all their discourses to believers as well as unbelievers. Some were enraged, others laughed and mocked, but there were some who believed and were saved. LORD, forgive me when I have substituted the logic of men for the Word of God!
Will you be so bold to seek opportunities to share the truth of God's Word with others to show why you believe what you believe with meekness and fear? 1 Peter 3:8-12 exhorts us all, "Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. 11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil."
It is a simple thing to point fingers at the faults of others, but followers of Jesus Christ ought to live as He did in a secular culture and faithfully examine our own hearts. We cannot stoop to the level of such who speak proudly in arrogance, hating any who oppose them. If we do not have compassion on those who are deceived and deliberately adding to their guilt before a holy God by rebellion and pride, we sin by refusing to love others as God does. Passion without love and compassion is sin. We must stand fast on the Word of God, for only then do we find an unshakeable foundation under our feet. It is good to uphold righteousness, especially in a sinful world. Love does not oppose righteousness but completes it. We will surely suffer for such a clear stand, but praise God for His abundant consolation.
Consider what is written in 1 Peter 2:20-23: "For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously..." Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem, filled with people scattered as sheep without a shepherd. They refused to believe Jesus was the Son of God, rejected His sound teaching, and scorned His outstretched arms of love. Those few faithful followers of Jesus today are to follow His example of compassion, mercy and grace when we are maligned, belittled, and slandered falsely.
Brothers and sisters, let us not shy away from using the truth of scripture to combat the satanic deceptions at work in the minds and hearts of people today. Why use secondary sources or statistics when we can speak forth the powerful words of God? When Peter spoke to the unbelieving Sanhedrin, he quoted the scriptures. After Philip ran to the Ethiopian eunuch, he preached Christ from the Word of God. Whether Paul spoke to unbelieving Jews, Roman rulers, or the philosophers in Athens, he preached from the Bible. Preaching the Word of God is a single thread connecting all their discourses to believers as well as unbelievers. Some were enraged, others laughed and mocked, but there were some who believed and were saved. LORD, forgive me when I have substituted the logic of men for the Word of God!
Will you be so bold to seek opportunities to share the truth of God's Word with others to show why you believe what you believe with meekness and fear? 1 Peter 3:8-12 exhorts us all, "Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. 11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil."
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