SCRIP-BITS

Oh Friends, much thanks and praise be to Almighty God for the incredible blessing He’s granted us, of seeing another day on this bountiful earth! It’s not all peaches and cream, but it’s certainly worth its weight in gold. And to help us keep that joyful thought, here is a gentle reminder from St. Therese of Liseux, the patron Saint of the Society of the Little Flower. She wisely advises us: ‘Even when alone be cheerful, remembering always that you’re in the sight of angels.’ Oh Friends, isn’t that precious? It sure is! The sad part though, is that when we’re not alone, we’re often in the presence and sight of sinners, of the evil and ungodly. However, that is no reason not to be cheerful, because as Jesus’ representatives here on earth, we ought to be joyful more often than sad. Why? ‘For the joy of the Lord is your strength.’ (Neh.8:10) And also as Jesus said when talking of the close, interwoven relationship between the vine and its branches: ‘These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.’ (John 15:11) Therefore, let us try to show a good and pleasant countenance as much as possible, and not the sour frowns that too many believers show the world. That’s the way Jesus operated. He wasn’t always ecstatic inside, but you’d never know it from His gentle, pleasant personality and external behaviour. It’s the same way when the publicans (tax collectors) and other sinners gathered around to listen to Him, the hypocrite Pharisees and scribes complained. ‘And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them.’ The Pharisees man-made traditions forbade them eating with any they considered sinful and ungodly. But remember Jesus’ earliest declaration when the same Pharisees complained to the disciples re their Master eating and drinking with publicans and sinners. He righteously declared: ‘They that be whole (are well) need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice: For I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’ (Matt.9:12-13) So my people, please don’t look down on those who seem to be fallen, or less righteous than us, because that’s our very purpose on this earth; to bring those ungodly beings to Christ. And the only way we can do that successfully is by interacting with them, and not in an, I am better than you manner, or as if you’re doing them a big favour, though you might just be, but the Christ- like presence of humility must always be apparent in our doings. And not because we interact with them, it means that we have to behave like them, or become ungodly too, but owing to the great LOVE of Jesus in our hearts, and the awesome power of His Holy Spirit operating within us, we can be strong enough to overcome and overpower their ungodliness, to lift them up out of their darkness and cause them to see the bright, beautiful and empowering light that’s to be found in Jesus, through His sacrificial acts on our behalf, which lead to a glorious salvation and eternal life with Him in heaven. Ah Friends, it is not for us to overly criticize the sinful and ungodly, but more for us to sympathize with their unfortunate situation, to pray for them, and if we find a suitable situation, to talk to them about Jesus and the good things He has in store for all who believe in Him and obediently follow His holy guidance. That’s the proper behaviour for a true Christian, not one of righteous indignation and condemnation like the ole hypocrite Pharisees and them. Oh Friends, I know that in the lion’s den, in the face of his angry snarl, it’s not always easy to portray a Christ-like attitude, but we have to try our best to do so. Consequently, I’m imploring us to carefully watch our reactions whenever we encounter those who don’t believe as we do, for it’s very easy to stray off the straight and narrow path in the company of persons whose ideals don’t match ours. Please think seriously on this subject my brethren, because too many of us criticize the unbeliever in public, when behind closed doors, we do the same ungodly things that they do. And that’s one of the biggest drawbacks to our ministry, for the unbeliever is quite rightly turned off and justly mocks us when we don’t practice what we preach. We’ll continue this topic tomorrow, if the Lord chooses to bless us with another day on planet earth. Till then, please walk safely in His all-embracing LOVE! Much LOVE!…judge not…so that you will not be judged…