Responding Correctly

This is the beginnings of a study I am doing.

1 Corinthians 4:1 – 13

Focus on Verses 12 and 13.

Paul is being an example for us. "Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat…."

We must die daily in order to respond correctly. My "natural bent" is to lash out, to strike back when people revile me. But this is NOT the proper way for us to respond.

Christ says in Matthew 5:39, "But I tell you not to resist an evil person, But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also."

And in verse 44 He says, "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,"

And why should we do this?

Verses 45 through 48 tell us why. "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."
Why is this happening, do you ask? Why do people speak evil of you and treat you badly?
As Christ Jesus says in Mathew 10, "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues."

And further in the chapter, "And you will be hated by all for My names sake…"

Should we be afraid of this persecution? NO.

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell."

Nor should we seek to destroy those who treat us badly. Look to David’s example when Shimei was cursing him…

"But the king said, ‘What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David.’ Who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’’"

"It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day."

Felix imprisions Paul

You know, many people think being a Christian is easy. And that God will protect you from anything bad happening to you. Such as a favorite quote they like to say, "How could God let this happen?"

Let's consider Paul. The Jewish Leadership in Jerusalem falsely accused Paul of sedition after they tried to kill him and he was rescued by the Roman soldiers. Felix, the Governor, heard the case, found no wrong in him, but kept Paul as a prisoner for TWO more years. And then left the problem to his successor to sort out as happens sometimes in Government.

I'm refering to Acts chapter 24, but lets look at the final two verses of the chapter.

26 - Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.
27 - But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.

So, for TWO years Felix kept Paul a prisoner for no other reasons than to keep some of his subjects happy and in the hopes of financial gain. Not because Paul was guilty of any crime. Where was God's hand in this? Why it was there all along. Paul may have been a prisoner, but God kept him from getting killed at the hands of Jews that were laying in wait for him. He also wanted Paul to bring His Word to Rome, and in Chapter 26, Paul begins his first journey to Rome.

Instead of asking "How could God let something like this happen?", maybe we should ask, "What is God's plan in this?"

It must be of GOD

The other day I was reading Acts 5. Where Peter and John were brought before the council (the Sadducees) and the High Priest. I find it interesting that the Pharisee Gamaliel, after having Peter and John escorted from the room, persuaded the rest of the council to leave them be. (The council wanted to kill the apostles).

His reasoning is found in verses 36 - 39. In verse 36 he describes a rebel named Theudas that gathered a following of 400 men. When Theudas was slain, his followers scattered and came to nothing. In verse 37 he described another rebel, Judas of Galilee. Judas gained many followers, but like Theudas, when he died, his followers dispersed.

In verse 38 - 39 he says, "...if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it..."

Based on this prominent Jewish leader's own supposition, since it is now 2000 years later and it is still going strong, it must be of God!

Naming a Blog

Actually, naming the blog wasn't hard. But coming up with the URL for it was. I had to try about two dozen names before it finally allowed me to use one that includes the first two letters of each of my Children's names.

My Wife encouraged me to create a blog here to use for my thoughts as I study the Bible. I will also probably include stories and other things that occur to me as time goes by.