As I hear about AIG (the once insurance giant struck in the head, not to be confused with righteous Answers In Genesis) paying $165 million in bonues to executives after receiving $170 billion from the tax payers, I’m struck by two realities that bring peace:
1) The Lord says, “Venegeance is mine. I will repay!”
2) We’re commanded to love our enemies and neighbors as ourselves AND to pray for and <gulp>… bless them.
Do you have the mind of Christ on this? Or do you find a heart that is hardened toward your enemies?
His mind is that they (the “bad” guys, ya know… like you and I once were) come to the knowledge of the Truth and to repentance. He’s longsuffering. Sometimes it’s the goodness of God that leads men to repentance.
Saints, we have no business allowing this to grip our hearts, if only to murmur and give rise to the flesh. Why? First, we must remember how great a spotted garment the Lord found us wearing, and yet He still loved us and redeemed us.
Paul’s lists some of the sins that will keep us out of Kingdom of God, adding “and such were some of you.” (1 Cor 6:11) And we see the Word admonishing us to
“forgive… even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.” (Eph 4:32)
Now, we also have the obligation to “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Tim 4:2) But we’ve got to understand that without the Spirit of Christ dwelling in their hearts, they are blind. It’s time to lay aside political action and the vanity of legislating gospel “fruit”. Changed hearts, submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, are the only solution!
Still interested in political action? Great! The ruler of our Kingdom commands us to: “Go ye into ALL the world and preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15) and “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Mat 28:19)
Be active and canvas the neighborhoods with His agenda. GO!
Your servant,
Brother Jeff