Don't Fret About The Mockers

"Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you. Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning." (Prov 9:7-9 NIV)

Believe me, I have received my share of insults by those who prefer not to walk on the straight path. I have learned, over time, that there are definitely times when it makes no sense to correct someone. If they are corrected they will only argue or throw a temper tantrum. There are times when it seems that it is best just to walk away, say nothing. It is better to keep right on walking rather than ending up in a dispute that you will not win and then end up carrying the ill feelings that you gained during that discussion out into the rest of the world. The rest of the world doesn't deserve that.

There is a whole world out there that needs and desires to hear the Good News. Why allow a mocker or a wicked one, who refuses to hear, to steal the time that could be better used to help those who are wise enough not to refuse help?

I am not saying that there is never a time to correct a mocker or rebuke the wicked. Jesus certainly incurred insults. As Christians, we turn will incur insults. We should not be afraid to share the Good News because we do not like to be insulted for our faith. But, there are times when even the mocker should be corrected and the wicked rebuked. If there is danger to others, it definitely needs doing. These things must be done from time to time. Wisdom will help you know when the time is right. 

What I am trying to say is that focusing on one who mocks the LORD, trying to drag them onto the path of righteousness should never become the center of your life. Do not allow scoffers to drag you down and off the path the LORD has prepared for you. That would not be wise. If they will not hear the truth, it may be that you should simply walk away, whether it is family, friend, or foe. You can help no one, if your whole life is spent trying to help one whose whole goal is to drag you down into the muck and mire with them.

According to St. Matthew (10:14 NIV), Jesus said, "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet."

There is a whole world out that there that is yearning for some Good News; multitudes that need healing and actually desire it, that will listen and be made whole. Go... and proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ, our LORD. Go and proclaim the Good News to all people. But, remember it is the Word, who is Jesus the Christ, that saves not you or me. Once the Word has been shared, there is not much you can do for the mocker, but continue to pray for them and trust the Spirit of God to do what the Spirit does. Be careful that you do not become embroiled in thinking that you are going to save them no matter what! Wisdom will guide you as your remember that it is only Jesus who saves.

God's Peace -Pr. J

Jesus, Remember Me!

   

   Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 

   One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

   But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
   Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

   Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” 

                                                                                                (Luke 23:32-33, 39-43 NIV)

Whenever I hear or read this promise of paradise to the criminal, I cannot help but smile. It is such good news! The criminal hanging on a cross next to Jesus asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus comes into His Kingdom. The criminal knows that Jesus is about to die. They are both being executed. The criminal knows and acknowledges that he is a sinful man and deserves the punishment that he is receiving in this world. He will die to this world for his sins. Yet, his request of Jesus to remember him when he comes into his kingdom testifies to his faith in the Kingdom of God where Jesus will reign is met with good news. Jesus comforts the criminal by assuring him that he will enter into paradise. What good news! He is forgiven his sins. Although; he is about to die, the criminal will live in the paradise of God for all eternity.

Thanks be to God! All who believe, who trust in him, will enter into paradise; into His Kingdom. It does not matter what you have done or what you have left undone. By faith, your sins are forgiven. The promised paradise is received and entered into by faith that we are forgiven our sins and welcomed in the home of our Father, through the sacrifice of Jesus for us, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." (Eph 2:8)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Correcting a Mocker

"Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.  Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you. Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning." 

(Prov 9:7-9 NIV)

Believe me, I have received my share of insults by those who prefer not to walk on the straight path.  I have learned, over time, that there are times when it makes no sense to correct someone. If they are corrected they will only argue or throw a temper tantrum. There are times when it is best just to say nothing more and walk away. It is better to walk away than to end up in a dispute that you will not win and you will end up carrying any ill feelings that you gained during that discussion out into the rest of the world. The rest of the world doesn't deserve that.

There is a whole world out there that needs and desires to hear the Good News. Why allow a mocker or a wicked one, who refuses to hear, to steal the time that could be better used to help those who are wise enough not to refuse help?

I am not saying that there is never a time to correct a mocker or rebuke the wicked. Jesus certainly incurred insults. As Christians, so shall we. There are times when even the mocker should be corrected and the wicked rebuked. If there is danger to others, it definitely needs doing. These things must be done from time to time. Wisdom will help you know when the time is right. But, focusing in on the one who mocks the LORD, trying to drag them onto the path of righteousness should never become the center of your life. Do not allow scoffers to drag you down and off the path the LORD has prepared for you. If they will not hear the truth, then it may be time to shake the dust off your feet (Matt 10:14) and walk away, whether it is family, friend, or foe.  You can help no one, if your whole life is spent trying to help one whose whole goal is to drag you down into the muck and mire with them.

There is a whole world out that there yearning for some Good News, multitudes that need healing and actually desire it, that will listen and be made whole. Go... and proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ, our LORD. Go and proclaim the Good News to all people. But, remember it is not us but the Word, who is Jesus the Christ, that saves.  Once the Word has been shared, there is not much you can do for the mocker, but continue to pray for them and trust the Spirit of God to do what the Spirit does. Be careful that you do not become embroiled in thinking that with persistence you can save them. Wisdom will guide you as your remember that it is only Jesus who saves.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Tame The Tongue

"For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison." James 3:7-8

I admit that I have picked up a bit of slang and my grammar is not always the best; but, I tell you there are days that I simply do not understand the English that is being used by many today. What sometimes sounds like insults; derogatory remarks toward or about others, I am told actually isn't! That's just the way people talk today. 

I also understand that in this country, according to the first amendment, that we have freedom of speech. But, is that an excuse to falsely slander others? Is that an excuse to get on the internet or television and insinuate or make threats against the safety and well-being of others? It seems as though there are many who seem to think it is. Freedom of speech doesn't actually include threatening the life of others. It is actually illegal and depending on the severity, one can be charged with a crime for doing so.

It can be most difficult to control the tongue when one is angry or hurt; but, in general conversation; when you actually have time to think about it!? Oh, my! There are many days that I just want to run back to my little corner of the universe and sit in silence watching the alligators in the backyard. They usually just lie there and maybe swim around a bit. They do not live in attack mode just for the sake of attacking and harming others.

It is hard to tame the tongue. It is even harder when one has not actually learned the difference between what is appropriate to say and what is not appropriate; what is legal and what is not legal. Yes, I can be bit legalistic. The law can be a great curb to keep us from doing things that would harm others. Think: treat others as you would like to be treated.

Some days the untamed tongues are running so rampant that I can only retreat to my corner and sit in the sheer silence and listen. I listen for our Father's gentle whisper, "Do not fear. I am with you now and always."

God's Peace - Pr. J