We are not called upon to act in ways which are more of the same, for THE LORD is not looking for more of the same, instead, for those who have seen that more of the same is the great slide of deception...
We are taught to LOVE EVERYONE, even our enemies, which essentially means, all we can do is to drop our seeds, reflect THE LORD, be available for those interested, and continue on, while learning, growing, and improving in HIS name...
TITUS 3: 1-9...
1/ Remind them to be under the control of magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be open to every good enterprise.
2/ They are to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, exercising all graciousness toward everyone.
3/ For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another.
4/ But when the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared,
5/ not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit,
6/ whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior,
7/ so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.
8/ This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these points, that those who have believed in God be careful to devote themselves to good works; these are excellent and beneficial to others.
9/ Avoid foolish arguments, genealogies, rivalries, and quarrels about the law, for they are useless and futile.
JAMES 3: 17-18...
17/ But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity.
18/ And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.
PHILIPPIANS 2: 1-13...
1/ If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy,
2/ complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing.
3/ Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,
4/ each looking out not for his own interests, but (also) everyone for those of others.
5/ Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus,
6/ Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.
7/ Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance,
8/ he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.
9/ Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
10/ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11/ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12/ So then, my beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
13/ For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work.
12/ Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.
13/ Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality.
14/ Bless those who persecute (you), bless and do not curse them.
15/ Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
16/ Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation.
17/ Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all.
18/ If possible, on your part, live at peace with all.
19/ Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."
20/ Rather, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head."
21/ Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.
1 PETER 2...
1/ Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, insincerity, envy, and all slander;
2/ like newborn infants, long for pure spiritual milk so that through it you may grow into salvation,
3/ for you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4/ Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God,
5/ and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6/ For it says in scripture: "Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame."
7/ Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith: "The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,"
8/ and "A stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall." They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny.
9/ But you are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises" of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
10/ Once you were "no people" but now you are God's people; you "had not received mercy" but now you have received mercy.
11/ Beloved, I urge you as aliens and sojourners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against the soul.
12/ Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that if they speak of you as evildoers, they may observe your good works and glorify God on the day of visitation.
13/ Be subject to every human institution for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king as supreme
14/ or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the approval of those who do good.
15/ For it is the will of God that by doing good you may silence the ignorance of foolish people.
16/ Be free, yet without using freedom as a pretext for evil, but as slaves of God.
17/ Give honor to all, love the community, fear God, honor the king.
18/ Slaves, be subject to your masters with all reverence, not only to those who are good and equitable but also to those who are perverse.
19/ For whenever anyone bears the pain of unjust suffering because of consciousness of God, that is a grace.
20/ But what credit is there if you are patient when beaten for doing wrong? But if you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God.
21/ For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.
22/ "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."
23/ When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly.
24/ He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
25/ For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
There, of course, is LOTS more to be said of our conduct, and the way we present ourselves to others, IN HIS NAME, but, this should be enough food for thought!!!
In these times, too many of us have gone off to the side, to be activists, which stirs up more problems than not, especially if one is lacking in grace, and mercy themselves...
We are not weapons of THE LORD, instead, we are as inviting benches placed just so, where the wearied from the futility of the world, might sit, then NOTICE THE PATH, and HOPEFULLY, step onto it!!!
Zeal is often misunderstood; it is NOT the crass voice of defense, it is the humble adherence TO THE LORD'S WILL, EXEMPLIFYING HIS WAY, in thought, action, and reaction! Zeal is the EVIDENT commitment TO HIM, in ALL we think, say, or do! It is NOT abusing, judging, and condemning others...
REV. LWINSOR © 2013
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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