Vulgarity Does Not Glorify God

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

                                                                                (1 Peter 2:9:12 KJV)

I was outside drinking my morning coffee in the dark yesterday morning. Children were at their stops waiting for the school bus. A dog was barking and roosters crowing in the distance. Suddenly, I heard a very loud motorcycle revving up its motor within a few blocks from the house. Shortly after this noise began, I heard swearing. A lot of very loud, screaming and very vulgar, swearing! This was not from a neighbor. We have no close neighbors. It was at least two or three blocks away; yet, I could hear every curse word that was screamed. The motorcycle continued roaring on and off for a few minutes then took off. The swearing ceased as well. 

I, unfortunately, have been known to swear a time or two or maybe more. When I do it, I cringe. Yesterday morning, I really cringed at the thought of someone being so out of control of themselves or such little lack of respect for themselves, their neighbors, and for the children waiting for buses, that they would be screaming the f.. word and a bunch of others not so nice words in the quiet of the morning so that all the world could hear. I pray for calmness and peace for that man as well as for the man who was revving his bike up in a way that seemed very intentional so early in the morning.

As Christians, we are a chosen generation, a holy nation. We ought to be speaking gently and truthfully. We ought to be the examples of moderation in all that we do that our Father in heaven might be glorified.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Do Not Insult The Spirit Of Grace

Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three

witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:28-31

It astounds me how anyone who knows about God would blaspheme His name with words too unimaginable to mention here. The Spirit of God is a Spirit of grace. God wants only good for all people. Yet, many will never accept Him; many will never get to know this Spirit of grace. They may know about Him; but, they refuse to get to know Him. 

Personally, I am really tired of hearing God's name taken in vain. I am really tired of hearing such horribly vulgar language. But, it doesn't matter that I am offended. It is a grave matter, though, to offend and fall into the hands of the living God. To use our Lord, Jesus the Christ's name in conjunction with such vulgarity is really asking for trouble to be brought upon one's self. Does no one really understand that it is not a good thing to blaspheme the Lord's name? It is a very dangerous thing! "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name." Ex 20:7

Let us pray for all who would treat the Lord as nothing; even less than nothing.

God's Peace - Pr. J