“Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.”
― Oscar Wilde
What Oscar probably didn’t know is that in the first century the Apostle Paul knew this principle. Now follow Oscar and Paul’s advice and go out there and apply it.
The following translation puts it this way:
Romans 12:20-21-20-21 The Message (MSG)
Give it some application.
Gary
May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house.
– George Carlin
It was really too bad for George because the forces of evil made headway with him until the very end. He believed that even after death his remains could be so scattered, he would never have to face God and answer for his godless life. Per his wishes, his body was cremated and his ashes scattered in front of various New York City nightclubs and over Spofford Lake in New Hampshire, where he had attended summer camp as an adolescent.
Poor George, seems he didn’t get it right. How about you? Does the Bible address this? Glad you asked.
Romans 14:12
So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,
You can run, but you can’t hide. Give it some thought.
Gary
I followed a diet but it didn’t follow me back, so I unfollowed it. – Bumper Sticker
After the owner stepped out of the car and allowed the tension to be taken off the springs, the reality of that sticker became obvious. It reminds me of those who make negative statements about the Bible. They really don’t have to because their speech and actions reveal the total lack of respect for the Creator.
Matthew 7:16
You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
Have you unfollowed following Christ? It shows. Give it some thought.
Gary
Progress is man’s ability to complicate simplicity. – Thor Heyerdahl
Kon-Tiki was an expedition of his that I read about in 8th grade. The Kon-Tiki expedition was a 1947 journey by raft across the Pacific Ocean from South America to the Polynesian islands, led by Norwegian explorer and writer Thor Heyerdahl. He spent a lifetime trying to prove where different peoples of our planet came from. However, there is a possibility the proof could have been in his house or the local library.
Does the Bible address simplicity? Glad you asked.
For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Give it some thought.
Gary
Certainly, there seems to be more evil in our world than at any other time in history. Maybe it’s just because some of us have been on the planet too long, but I don’t think so. My take is found in Romans chapter one where God is saying, “Okay, I’ll let you have your way for a time.” However, I believe we’re at the door where time is almost up. God gave them over and we are on the precipice of the age being over.
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
Are you ready for the closing curtain? Give it some thought.
Gary
Some make deals with God. You do this for me and I’ll do that for You. Habakkuk was a prophet during the last days of the southern kingdom of Judah, somewhere in the timeframe of 620-590 BC but before the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC. Trouble was coming on a massive scale and his faith would be tested to its core. I’m no prophet, but I think trouble is coming, and I desire Habakkuk to be my example. What about you?
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.
Give this some consideration.
Gary
Cribbage was my game. I started playing it at thirteen years of age after school. I loved the distraction on those long bus rides to distant towns where we played ballgames with teams in our league. Once I married, my wife and I enjoyed the friendly competition. It’s just a game that sometimes you win at and sometimes you lose. Sounds like the games of life, doesn’t it? The competition has changed though, for now my opponents are the world, the flesh and the devil, and I don’t always win. It also reflects the results of doing a character study of Biblical personalities.
Does it have a Biblical precedent? Glad you asked.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
When playing the game, play to win. Give it some thought.
Gary