oops, we’ve messed things up!
“LOVE YOUR ENEMIES.”
“BLESS THOSE WHO CURSE YOU.”
THAT’S WHAT JESUS SAID.
HAVE YOU NEVER READ:
“WHEN THEY ARE HUNGRY
MAKE SURE THEY ARE FED”?
WHEN YOU ARE IN BED
WITH WANTING THEM DEAD,
YOU’RE NOT LOVING THEM.
DISARM YOUR WARHEAD!
ANGER, INSULTS, AND
VIOLENCE ARE MISLED,
TO DEFEAT EVIL
DO WHAT’S GOOD INSTEAD.
(Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:28,
Romans 12:20-12)
“War is the greatest plague that can afflict humanity, it destroys religion, it destroys states, it destroys families.” –Protestant Reformer Martin Luther
Christians are called to be peacemakers. (Matthew 5:9) Peacekeepers (like the police) use physical weapons. Peacemakers use spiritual weapons (2 Corinthians 10:4) like love and the rest of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) as well as the gifts of the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:1-11) The only “first” for Christ-followers is Jesus First!
Peaceful quietness and humble inner listening enable people to directly hear and respond to the voice of God. Try it! God will ask you questions.
Do you have a deep desire for more of Jesus? (James 4:8) Are you continually hungering and thirsting for His righteousness? (Matthew 5:6) Are you longing for Him to be your absolute Ruler and King every moment of your life? (Matthew 6:33) Do you have a yearning desire for His Holy fire to burn incessantly within you? (Matthew 3:11)
Are you wanting to share in Christ’s sufferings? Or are you satisfied with where you are in your relationship with Him? (Philippians 3:10-11)
When Jesus first disciples (who were called by the Greek word “apostles” which means “sent ones”) were brutally whipped having their back ripped in pieces for teaching about Jesus, they went away “rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” (Acts 5:41-42) Do you want more of Jesus as much as they did?
Sometime later, another sent one (apostle) named Paul and his fellow Christ-proclaimer, Silas, were beaten, chained, and thrown in a filthy jail for telling people about the risen Jesus. This is how they responded to such cruel and painful treatment. They prayed and sang praises unto God. (Acts 16:25) Do you want more of Jesus that much?
Free Gas for Your Think Tank -- Short Reflections, Lasting Encouragement 