Proverbs 3:30. Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm
Well my people, the summer is moving along briskly, but we aren’t seeing real summer weather as yet. It’s only a few days since summer officially began that we have seen truly warm temps.
We’ve been mostly getting temps in the low twenties with cloudy skies, but I’m not really complaining nuh, because on the hot days the heat can be a bit much. (smile)
If we’re past the middle of July and the heat and the hot sun aren’t blazing down on us, then something has obviously gone awry. By now the air-conditioning guys would be making a mint, with all the calls for broken air-conditioners, but I don’t think they’ve been having such a field day because we have not had any real need for them.
I haven’t even attempted to turn on mine as yet. If this mild weather keeps up then we will certainly not be able to write off climate change as the product of someone’s wild imagination, but need to take it seriously.
Some days it feels more like spring than summer, and the strong, cool winds just exacerbate the situation. After a long and cold winter, everyone’s been looking forward to a hot summer, but sadly that has not really materialized as yet. And you can bet your bottom dollar that if and when it does, we’ll be complaining that it’s too hot. That’s just the nature of the beast. (smile)
Anyway, here’s a little something that deals with being a true Christian. I believe it was my brain-child (smile) because there’s nothing on the sheet of paper on which it’s written that acknowledges it as a quote from someone else.
It says: ‘A true Christian must be … a bright ray of light in this darkened world, this world of unbelievable darkness … a beacon of hope for the poor and downtrodden … a willing hand to help those in need … while speaking words of truth and encouragement…filled with a spirit of LOVE and understanding…’
Yes Friends, if we can claim all those conditions as part of our daily lives, then we can indeed call ourselves true Christians.
And then we have our Bit, which wisely tells us: ‘Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no wrong.’
Now why would we want to strive with someone that hasn’t done us any wrong eh? I certainly won’t. I don’t want to strive with anybody period, because that produces no Christian positives, only evil negatives.
However, some of us are so aggressive and quick to take offense and get uptight over petty and imaginary stuff that we spend a large part of our lives in involved in meaningless strife. That’s definitely not heavenly wisdom; in fact it’s not any kind of wisdom at all.
But some of us do get our jollies from that kind of behavior. So to each his own…but just remember that there are consequences to each and every decision we make, good or bad.
Now let’s delve into some scripture that agrees with our Bit. Hear Cousin Sol from Proverbs 26. ‘He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.’ (Proverbs 26:17)
Ah mih people, Cousin Sol’s analogy is something else yes! But it is the truth. We all know how a dog reacts if we try to hold it by its ear; it snarls ferociously and tries to bite the one who’s holding its ear. Strife, whether it belongs to us or not, does the same thing; it puts us in dangerous territory.
Meanwhile Bruh Paul told the Roman church, in the discussion on what is clean to eat or not. ‘For the kingdom of God is not meat (food) and drink; but righteousness; and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify (build up) another.’ (Rom.14:17-19)
Yes my brethren, if we are to be true followers of Christ, we need to seek peace and build up our neighbours, not tear them down in strife. And the author of Hebrews, in his warning against disobedience tells us in no uncertain terms.
‘Follow (pursue) peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see God. Looking diligently lest any man fail (fall short) of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.’ (Heb.12:14-15)
Oh Friends, unfortunately in today’s society many are falling short of God’s grace and the root of bitterness is widespread, leading to many being defiled, which is not good for the body of Christ, the church, nor the individuals who make it up.
And we’ll close with some more wise words from Bruh Paul on personal conduct and relationships, this time to Timothy. ‘But foolish and unlearned questions (ignorant disputes) avoid, knowing that they do gender (generate) strifes.
And the servant of the Lord must not strive (quarrel); but be gentle unto all men, apt (able) to teach, patient. In meekness instructing (correcting) those that oppose themselves (are in opposition); if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of (so they may know) the truth.’ (2 Tim.2:23-25)
Ah Friends, one more lesson as to how the genuine Christian ought to behave. Please, let’s take it all seriously and consider how all that we’ve said relates to us as individuals and try our best, with God’s help to live up to the high standards that Jesus desires of His followers. Much LOVE!
…blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God… (Matt.5:8)
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