UNITY - Get It Done!

There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil,  a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. Prov.6:16-19

Few people read this verse and most when they do do not pick up on the last statement made. The Lord HATES someone who sows discord!   Discord means just that, whatever causes people to be at odds with one another. And I know how we tend to apply this - we tend to apply this to religious division. We blame others that they do not agree with the Bible, therefore they are causing division. I agree, that truth is truth and that if you are not going to abide by that, then you are fighting against God not for Him.  However, the emphasis in proverbs is God HATES anyone (those who call themselves Christians or not), that is the cause of sowing, instigating, breeding, festering, fostering, agitating discord. PERIOD!

We see so much of this today. Turn on the news and there is always someone sowing discord.  Rom.3:10-18 is a good synopsis of our world and even our nation today. "...  as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips." Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness." Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known is no fear of God before their eyes." 

Before we get self righteous, let's keep in mind that we are included in this description. Now, this doesn't mean we have to get all warm and fuzzy with every false doctrine that comes along, or teaching that doesn't agree with the scripture.  We ARE going to disagree. But, there is no room for labeling, judging, name calling, slander bashing, whispering, backbiting, gossiping or anything else associated with any of those. If we do that, cause that, participate in that, then know you are doing what the Lord HATES!  Think you'll get into heaven?

Jesus showed us that no matter how oppressing, no matter how ugly the situation, we can overcome and we can act as God wants! Remember Gethsemane? Did Jesus curse? Did he accuse, blame, call people names?  Did He tell the Guard they had no right? Did He insight a riot?

Jesus said, "For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him you know these things, blessed are you if you do them." Jn.13:15-17

Get it done!

Jim

"So what if He is?"

The last article, ended with the question of whether you believe the accounts given where Jesus did the things He claimed.  Because if He did as He claimed, then there is NO comparison to any of the others - He IS the One and there is NO other. Yet, this poses another question, "So what if He is?" 

It is curious to me, at the ambivalence of many in today's society, that have no care whether there is a God, or whether there should be any attention paid to the fact that if there is a God then what does that mean for us?  Yet, this is not a new question. Pharaoh of the Exodus asked the same question, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice...?" Here is something to consider in this question, posture, and attitude.

• While it is phrased in the form of a question, it is the expression of an attitude and a disposition. While many see nothing wrong with it here is something to consider. When you disregard respect for something, you also disregard the rights and wishes of the people that do believe there is a God. This is a prevailing attitude among people today. 
• Enamored over the "rights" or "entitlements" of the mass opinion, what does it matter if there are those who want to listen to God's voice? If I don't have to listen to God, then why should I grant you any feeling or respect that you should? Ergo, This was seen in the incidence in Exodus, as well as it was seen in Rome, Nazi Germany, and other such establishments that adopt the same proud attitude. 

 "So this is how liberty dies...with thunderous applause."

Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman) in

 "Star Wars III: The Revenge of the Sith

Here is the quandary. When we do not accept righteousness, when we do not accept the authority of the God who asks for that righteousness, what is left?  Well, man becomes "a law unto himself." Not necessarily a bad thing until someone comes along and says, "Why should I listen to you?" Everyone likes throwing God off, until evil and cruelty reign. Yet, this is the child of an attitude where we men "set his mouth against the heavens" (Psa_73:9), and "exalted himself above all that is called God" (2Th.2:4). 

When men exalt themselves, it is to their own destruction. When men say "it is

unsinkable" they are proven wrong. When men say "we can do it ourselves" they are proven wrong just like children and toddlers. Without guidance to proper and productive behavior, man CANNOT direct his own steps (Jer.10:23). 

The truth?  There is NOTHING to compel you to listen to, follow, or even admit that God is real. There is NOTHING to compel you to believe that Jesus is the Christ. But...you DO have a choice!  

• Door #1 - Believe God, follow God and understand an opportunity to live for eternity awaits you (Jn.3:16)  
• Door #2 - Deny there is a God, live the way you like, think only of yourself and understand the path of  destruction that awaits you and your descendants if you do.

Choose wisely!

Jim