Peace And Goodwill Towards Men. Part [9] 12/31/2023 (Evening thought)

Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.

It’s funny, for the place where Christ was born, and the plains over which the angels sang: “Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace, goodwill towards men, is now mired in strife and bloodshed. Unless a determined, well-directed effort is made to deal in the heavenly currency, peace and good will would continue to be evasive.

In other words, there is never going to be peace and good will in the Middle East, or between Russia and Ukraine, or in Sudan, or on the streets of our cities, or on our highways and byways, or even in congress where impeachment looms again, if tit for tat laws and principles are adopted as the order of the day.

This leads us to our second principle: [2] In seeking peace and good will, the use of tit for tat principles must be rejected, and instead, persons will have to deal in the currency of heaven, which at its core repays one’s enemies with genuine kindness and respect that is due to all persons.

1st Peter 2: 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when you be buffeted for your faults, you shall take it patiently? but if, when you do well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!

Peace And Goodwill Towards Men. Part [8] 12/30/2023 (Morning thought)

Luke 12:13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? 15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.

In the Bible there was a man who once interrupted Jesus’ sermon with a request that Christ should use His influence to speak to the man’s brother who had apparently defrauded him of some real estate. And in our day, there are sibling rivalries and a host of bad feelings that have erupted over perishables. God is not really interested in Christmas trees, and many lights, and cakes, and pastries and rum. What He is looking for is the replication of His character in those who name themselves as disciples of Christ.

When faced with wrongs done to oneself, instead of taking the low road of fighting like hell for our rights we would do well to observe what Christ did, when He was tempted in the wilderness. In that episode, satan bluntly offered to give Christ what was naturally, and rightfully Christ’s own; this, in exchange for bowing down. Imagine the boldness and contempt involved in offering Christ’s own real estate to Him.

Again, when Herod slew the children in Bethlehem, God directed Joseph and Mary, not to fight for their rights, but to run for their lives, by taking refuge in Egypt. God could have asserted His royal right, and sent a battalion of angels to take care of Herod, but He chose not to do this, even as He had the capacity to do so.

Matthew 2:13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? 15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!