The Urge for Revenge

There are all kinds of slanderous language and accusations being slung in every direction lately. It seems no one can have a belief or opinion any longer without another tagging your lifestyle as a phobia against theirs. I find it difficult to treat this way of thinking as a one-way street against capitalists and Christians. The nescient elite, the self-indulged elected and the lack of courage by the influential of our country has the citizenry on edge and growing anxious as to what is going to happen to their individual rights and freedoms due to the whimsical actions of our elected officials. Being the nice guy is okay to a certain point, but outright handing over 250 years of blood, sweat and tears that has built and maintained the greatest nation the world has ever known is a might hard to accept. I’m certainly not in favor of violence to express my disappointment in government, but I’m afraid that when push comes to shove Socialism and Shari are going to have an ugly uphill battle. Pray for this country and beg for God’s grace.

When the poet Edwin Markham reached retirement age, thinking he was set for life, discovered he was penniless. So the story goes - his banker defrauded him. From that point on, Markham was obsessed with the evil done to him by a man who was supposed to be his friend. History tells us that Markham was so bitter that he could no longer write poetry. However, one day, while suffering the pain of resentment, the thought came to him that bitterness and the desire for revenge was eating him up, and that he must forgive the man. It was then that he wrote this poem: “He drew a circle and shut me out, Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout. But love and I had the wit to win; We drew a circle that took him in!” Augustine once wrote, “If you are suffering from a bad man’s injustice, forgive him lest there be two bad men.” Forgiveness is much better than revenge. In my judgment, it is the sign of a gentle nature. On the other hand, to seek revenge is the sign of a savage nature. We are not animals, but human beings made in the image of God. The brave know how to forgive; but a coward never forgives. It is not in his nature to forgive. I’m convinced that the same grace that heals us demands that we forgive people who hurt us the most. Revenge does not work, but forgiveness does.

[Psalm 69] It is getting more difficult every day to not harbor bitterness toward others who are attempting to forcibly change your lifestyle. It’s likely that someone reading this article is a slave in bondage to bitterness. A spouse left you for another; an employer fired you without just cause; you lost a bundle of money in a bad business deal; a bad experience at church; a tragedy touched your family and you are bitter toward God; an unsettled, unresolved argument or disagreement of decades past. Bitter – Bitter – Bitter! God’s Word says we must “...get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” in our life (Ephesians 4: 31-32). We must forgive one another, “...just as in Christ God forgave you.” But what do I do when someone is forcing their way into my life and defiling the church, my faith and my right to live as the God of the Bible prescribes? I know what Jesus did. He cleaned house (John 2: 12-17). Short of prayer and continued education, knowing your enemy, I for one am lost as to what to do except contact my elected officials to express my feelings as to their actions or the lack thereof. I know God is still on the throne and I trust He will continue to watch over the righteous. God feeds the birds, but he doesn’t throw it into the nest.

Eyes That See

I had a much needed, overdue, sight-saving, surgical procedure this past week. I had been putting off, this the second surgery on the same eye, for several years and of late the vision in that eye was getting weaker and I was advised the longer I wait the less vision I would regain after surgery. The only pain involved is in my wallet and the irritating rub of the stitches every time I blink or move the eye. It’s like a sticker in your boot you can’t find. The medications help and they’ll soon dissolve. Here’s looking at you, better I hope.

[2 Corinthians 4:16-18] “Therefore we do not loss heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” God has always desired his people to be a people of vision. By this I’m not referring to dreams or revelations, but rather to farsightedness. One of the greatest dangers which threaten our spiritual growth, both individually and collectively, is the inability or unwillingness to look ahead. Our eyes are cast downward toward self rather than lifted up toward others and the marvelous potential which lies ahead. Spiritually speaking, we need to be a people of uplifted eyes; a people of vision. Jesus told his disciples, “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest?’ I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for the harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together” (John 4:35-36). As they looked upon the crop in the field Jesus noted it would be four more months before it would be ready for the reaper, but the field of souls laid out before them is always ready for the reaper. He was challenging them to look ahead ...to be men of vision. As we sow the seed (God’s Word) we need to perceive the harvest! A farmer who sows seed with no concept of a future harvest is a walking dilemma. We are perplexed as to why someone would sow seed in the ground and never expect a harvest. But, if we are not a people of spiritual vision, we ourselves are nothing than a walking dilemma. Our Lord seeks to impress upon us the importance of “lifting up our eyes” to that which yet lies ahead. When we, God’s people, lift up spiritual eyes we should behold before us not a field of worthless, godless humanity, but rather a field which is white unto harvest. By lifting up our eyes we become a people who see not the pitfalls and the problems, but who see the potential. To a man or woman of vision, in every sinner there is a potential saint; after every race a prize; after every battle a victory. Our vision, thus, reveals our responsibility, which when accepted becomes our privilege. By sowing God’s Word we have the privilege of reaping and sharing in the joy of the great harvest of souls in eternity. It is so easy to look only to ourselves, but in so doing we cease to be a people of vision. Let us resolve to lift up our eyes to the needs of others. Look about you with spiritual sensitivity, and then sow God’s Word, perceiving, even before it occurs, the great harvest that the Lord will provide. “By His Strength”; author unknown:  “God has given us the wings to fly across the land, Bearing witness to His Word and offering his hand. Bringing faith to those who mourn and comforting the weak, Giving glory to the One whose gentle touch we seek, Building bridges to His love that others will not cry. God has given us the wings and by His strength we’ll fly.” Word!

How Deep Do You Drink?

I enjoyed a surprise visit from a friend this past week. For over an hour we talked about how far our faith in God has pulled each of us out of the dark despair of the world, into the light of life and hope. I went digging to find something to portray this great encounter which brought me the encouragement God had intended, and pray it encourages you.

A small boy from a big city slum was taken to the hospital with a broken leg. There were seven children in his family, and not surprisingly he looked under-nourished, as hunger often went unsatisfied. Even a glass of milk, when one could be afforded, had to be shared through a straw by at least two or more. A finger would be placed on a certain spot of the glass and the child who was about to drink would be cautioned, “Only to here and no more!” During his hospital stay a nurse brought the little boy a large glass of milk with a straw sticking out of the top. He looked at the glass longingly and then asked, “How deep can I drink?” Knowing what the boy was asking the eyes of the nurse welled up with tears as she replied, “As deep as you want; as deep as you want young man!”

Jesus once called out in a crowd, “...If anyone is thirsty, let them come to me and drink” (John 7:37). Christ is to the thirsty soul what water is to the thirsty mouth. Thirst, when intense, can be a most unpleasant and even painful sensation. The dry throat, the swollen tongue, and the parched, broken lips are precursors of death unless water in some form is quickly administered. Next to oxygen, water is the requisite of life. Only when there is “thirst”, desire within the dying soul, do persons drink of Christ. Unfortunately, upon imbibing the initial draft which brings the remission of sins, some feel no need for further drinking. It’s as if they think that the water of life can all be taken in with one big gulp! As with the little boy, our desire will govern how deeply we drink. We can but imagine how such an impoverished lad would drink, and drink still more, unrestricted, from such a full glass. So it should be with us; the supply of Christ for our thirsty souls is abundant, exhaustless and unrestricted. Why then do we drink so sparingly? Our Bible classes, worship assemblies, and Gospel meetings are for the “thirsty”. Do not deny your soul the drink it must have to survive in such a harsh environment as this evil world. How true it is: we drink or we die! “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). “Come all you who are thirsty...” (Isaiah 55:1-13).

[John 14:1; 27] “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. ...Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” God Is Everywhere; author unknown: “Let not your heart be troubled; He knows and understands. He knows of all your heartaches; And reaches out His hand. Don’t crowd thoughts with worries, Or dwell on foolish things. God’s love is everywhere, This to you He brings. The sparrows search the sky for Him; The flowers raise their heads. The smallest creatures on this earth, Scurry from their beds. The morning brightens up the day; And clouds float through the sky. As we see God’s majesty, His hand doth skillful ply. He sends the soft caressing rain, To green up yonder fields. He’s measured every grain of sand; His promise He’s revealed. How wonderful it is to know, He hears our every whim. God’s love is everywhere; And we can count on Him.” “...encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness”(Hebrews 4:13)

Someone's Watching You

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law and four-year-old grandson. The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his steps often faltered. The family ate meals together at the table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing eyesight made eating difficult. When he grasped the glass, milk would spill on the tablecloth and peas often rolled off his spoon onto the floor. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the ever increasing mess. “We must do something about dad,” said the son. “I’ve had enough with his spilt milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.” So, the husband and wife set a table in the corner of the room and there grandfather ate alone, while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in grandfather’s direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled some food. The four-year-old watched all this in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with some wood scraps on the floor. “What are you making?” he asked the child. Sweetly and innocently the boy answered, “I’m making a little bowl for you and mama to eat your food in when I grow up.” The words so struck the parents that they were speechless, and then tears started to roll down their cheeks. Though no words were spoken, they knew what must be done. That evening, the husband took grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family, and neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, when food hit the floor, or the tablecloth got soiled.

[Hebrews 4:13] “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” All my life I’ve heard the expression, “Practice what you preach!” This saying teaches us to look at ourselves and make sure we are doing those things that we are telling others they need to do. But what if we look at this a little differently? What if I asked, “Can I preach what you practice?” If someone were to follow us all day long, would they be able to preach about the things we practice? It’s a sobering thought for one to stop and contemplate. My life should be so in line with the Scriptures that I should be able to say, just as Paul did, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). But the truth of the matter is, we all have things that we know we need to do differently in our life. We all know that studying the Bible is very important (Deuteronomy 6:5-9), but many of us don’t study as often as we should. So, if someone were to follow us and see that, would you want them to preach that? Absolutely not! We would want them to encourage others to do personal studies and be in God’s Word daily. What about the way we talk? Would we be okay with others encouraging people to talk like us? If I am someone who uses profanity would I want that to be preached about me? I need to be constantly aware of my actions and realize that others are watching me and could emulate the things I do. This should cause us to stop and take a look at our life and do some serious self-evaluation. Even though other can’t see what we do 24/7 doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t live my life as a continual example. Being on our best behavior when others are around is good. Need I remind you – God is looking all the time and sees all that we do.

Flee For Your Life!

The idea of someone “fleeing the scene,” most of the time, indicates to us that perhaps a crime has been committed. Or, perhaps someone is doing the cowardly thing by fleeing. It is not necessarily a sign of cowardice to flee. Webster defines “flee” as; “to run away from danger or evil.” Joseph, Jacob’s young son who was sold into slavery by his older brothers, is perhaps our greatest example of fleeing from the dangers which God warns us about. Genesis 39 records the incident of Potiphar’s wife when she attempts to seduce Joseph and play on his “youthful passions.” She persistently pursued Joseph; “And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants were inside. She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house” (Genesis 39:10-12). It is obvious that Jacob and Rachel had trained young Joseph well. He was only 17 years old when sold by his brothers. The apostle Paul spoke frequently on this subject. He encouraged young Timothy after warning him, in his letter, of false teachers and the love of money, 1 Timothy 6:11; “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” Again, in 2 Timothy 2:22; “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” The apostle also warned the Christians at Corinth to “Flee from sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18); and to “...flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14). Paul was warning them to “run away from danger or evil” that they should be afraid of the danger! James, the brother of Jesus, wrote an encouraging way out of danger to all Christians, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you...” (James 4:7-8). The typical mindset today is that sin has no effect on us; most do not feel the burden of sin because they have either dismissed the thought of how it affects their life, or have failed to learn how it is affecting their life now and in the future.

[Ephesians 2:1-10] “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.” An open-air preacher was telling the old story, when a thoughtless youth rapped out, “You tell us about the burden of sin – I feel none!” Then he flippantly added, “How much does sin weigh? Eighty pounds? Ten pounds?” The preacher answered, “Tell me, if I put a 400 pound weight on the chest of a dead man, would he feel it?” “No, because he is dead,” said the youth. The preacher responded, “And the man who feels no load of sin is dead spiritually.” The lad’s remarks only proved what he was. When we are made to understand the true nature of sin, “death’s sting” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57) and the effect it has on our life, most of us are amazed at what we may learn about our spiritual condition. As already noted, the Scriptures call it, “...dead in your transgressions and sins...” (Ephesians 2:1). Do you feel the burden of your sins? We all have them you know. If you don’t feel weighed down by the guilt of sin in your life, you may well be in jeopardy of spiritual death. “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). God does not want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9).