IN THE LIKENESS OF CHRIST JESUS; MERCY & SACRIFICE...

THIS is how the world is: over the weekend, a baby seal was waddling down a hi-way, and was rescued: in another region, but not so far away, a Man froze to death, trying to find shelter in a Church, which of course, has to lock it's doors because of thieves! The seal continues to exist, the human being perished; this is NOT *GOD'S* WAY---

Indirectly, this is on each of us, because we HAVE been taught THE WAY OF LOVE, of MERCY, of GRACE, which then, IF we are OF THE LORD, becomes one with our nature! In the world there IS a turning away from those who lack, those who are downtrodden, those who can't quite make it on their own; we HAVE been desensitized TO their plight VIA worldly ways...

When people freeze to death, or perish in extreme heat, we are reminded of what CHRIST JESUS means in saying, "Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for ME" (MATTHEW 25: 40)---

Acts of charity and humanity are to be done to all! LOVE INSISTS that ALL be taken care of, that we SHARE what THE GOOD LORD has GIVEN to us, freely, and cheerfully; such IS HIS MERCY, which then, melds into us, and spirals forth to others. The same is true with GRACE...

Christians ARE THE commUNITY OF *GOD*, of LOVE, of what is right, just, and good, thus, we OUGHT to be existing IN HIM, and HIS WILL! That ANYONE should suffer from the elements, or from lack, IS contrary to THE WAY, and this knowledge we NEED to understand, embrace, and utilize. The world doesn't care who perishes, nor how, but those OF *GOD* MUST, because it IS part, and parcel TO HIS WILL, and TO LOVE. The world teaches us each for his own survival, and while there may be some care, there is not the kind of care which is borne of *GOD*, and HIS LOVE, hence, we have poverty, hunger, injustice, disease, and on it goes...

It IS on each of us that someone perish when it IS preventable, even though we are not directly responsible! It SHOULD wake us up to our duties as Children of THE MOST HIGH *GOD*, and inspire us to become more involved in caring for ALL! Due to lessons of the world, we are NOT as compassionate as we might be, and ARE a bit desensitized by the great numbers of those who suffer, as it seems unlikely an individual might make a difference, YET it ALWAYS begins with one!!!

WHERE is our heart? IF it is anchored in CHRIST JESUS, then we KNOW what we have to do, concerning others, and we DO what we are able to! While I do what I can, I COULD be doing more; this I admit, and repent for, and PRAY for HIM to guide me to definitively fulfilling MY role IN HIS PLAN. We ARE hindered in many ways, by even our own Families, and other influences, but we NEED to nip that in the bud, AS we, by example, SHOW everyone in our path, THE WAY!!!

NO ONE should be out in the elements, or starving! NO ONE should be considered unworthy, and cast aside! NO ONE should have to experience the horrors of the lack of LOVE, and compassion! It just ISN'T part of *GOD'S* WILL!!!

MANY people shun bad news, and things they feel are beyond their ability to change, and THAT IS WHY we have continuing, and worsening problems, such as homelessness, hunger, impoverishment, and so forth! There is NO closing the ears, or the eyes which will eradicate the suffering of far too many; in fact, it will worsen, which then, WILL affect those who have to the point of them being FORCED to hear, and see, and finally, DO something...

Hundreds die each year, right here in the USA, from the elements, as well as the effects of impoverishment; thousands die every day the world over! The truths involved are NOT going away UNTIL every single person considers HOW this IS a matter for EACH of us to contribute to FOR HIS GLORY, and the greater good of all!!!

HE HAS TOLD us HOW to exist IN HIS NAME, and HOW TO LOVE ARIGHT, but we still find ways to drag our feet, justify our inaction, and leave things that bother us alone! Let us REMEMBER this year that TRUTH SHINES OF THE HEART, and SPEAKS VOLUMES of our ways! In the very least, we should PRAY for EVERYONE, then, ask *GOD* to direct us TO DOING whatever it takes to alleviate the sufferings found in this time...

People die in their needs, animals are rescued in theirs (just so you know, I LOVE animals, and am an advocate for their rights); it just baffles me more than I can say! SOMETHING IS WRONG, and I think we know the answer(s)!!!

ISAIAH 58: 7-8...
7+++"Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry And bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh? 
8+++"Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your recovery will speedily spring forth; And your righteousness will go before you; The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.…

To be liberal and merciful is more acceptable to God than mere fasting, which, without them, is vain and hypocritical. Many who seem humble in God's house, are hard at home, and harass their families. But no man's faith justifies, which does not work by love. 

Yet persons, families, neighbourhoods, churches, or nations, show repentance and sorrow for sin, by keeping a fast sincerely, and, from right motives, repenting, and doing good works. The heavy yoke of sin and oppression must be removed. As sin and sorrow dry the bones and weaken the strongest human constitution; so the duties of kindness and charity strengthen and refresh both body and mind. Those who do justly and love mercy, shall have the comfort, even in this world. Good works will bring the blessing of God, provided they are done from love to God and man, and wrought in the soul by the Holy Spirit.

1 JOHN 3: 17-18...
17+++If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? 
18+++Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.…

Here is the condescension, the miracle, the mystery of Divine love, that God would redeem the church with his own blood. Surely we should love those whom God has loved, and so loved. The Holy Spirit, grieved at selfishness, will leave the selfish heart without comfort, and full of darkness and terror. By what can it be known that a man has a true sense of the love of Christ for perishing sinners, or that the love of God has been planted in his heart by the Holy Spirit, if the love of the world and its good overcomes the feelings of compassion to a perishing brother? 

Every instance of this selfishness must weaken the evidences of a man's conversion; when habitual and allowed, it must decide against him. If conscience condemn us in known sin, or the neglect of known duty, God does so too. Let conscience therefore be well-informed, be heard, and diligently attended to.

LWINSOR © 2018
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS