Deliver Us From Evil

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

                                             (2 Thess 3:1-3 KJV)

Pray, pray, pray, and pray some more. In these very unstable times (when have they not been unstable?) I have found myself in almost constant prayer. 

Political and religious extremists on every side insist even to the persecution of those who disagree with them that they are right. It is very disheartening to see so much division in this country and in the world. It is not right that people should be attacked and even killed for who they are and for what they believe.

And, so we must pray that the Lord will deliver those who are persecuted from unreasonable and wicked men; that the Lord will keep them from evil.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 

                                                                           (Matt 6:1b-13)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Teaching Sin

Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. 

                                               (Luke 17:1-4 KJV)

Only four verses and so much in them! 

Jesus warns the disciples and us that we are to be very cautious on how we treat others. We are not to cause any one to sin. In other words, don't be teaching others to sin, either by word or example. And, if someone sins against you, forgive them. 

Read again what Jesus says is: “If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”  

Please note that Jesus does not tell us that we are to accept everything that everybody does. Everything is not OK or beneficial. Sin needs to be addressed in order for others to not stumble; in order for us to not stumble. Christians sometimes get accused of not being very Christ-like because they will not accept sin simply as an alternative and acceptable way to be. There is only "One Way" for the Christian. Jesus is "The Way." To teach or approve of any other way is to set up a stumbling block. To close our eyes to sin or say that there is no sin is setting up a stumbling block for ourselves as well as for others. The consequences will be devastating. But, if a brother sins against a Christian, the Christian will bring it to their attention and when they repent will forgive them in order that neither of them will suffer consequences worse than having a millstone tied around their necks and thrown into the sea.

Forgive generously; but, love others enough to teach them that although sin is forgivable because of Jesus' great love and sacrifice for us, it is not an acceptable path to willfully choose.

God's Peace - Pr. J