Eternally Minded

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink...” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  (Romans 12:17-21) Conflict is a method used to hinder the furtherance of the gospel, unity, brotherly love, and kindness. In the experiences of my short life, it has had the most devastating effect.  At Bible camp, where I spend the majority of my summers, I have seen firsthand it's devastating effects on the atmosphere and oneness of the staff. I could almost hear the Devil laughing as he all too easily succeeded at destroying the main focus of our week at camp. And I hated it.  From then on, it became a goal f...

Anger is not sin. You can " be angry and sin not. (Eph 4:31)" Sin comes when that anger stems from pride, self-righteousness, self-centeredness, ungratefulness, hate towards your fellow neighbor, or envy, and provokes an ungodly reaction. How can God be angry? He says He loves the whole world (John 3:16)! But it also says He's angry with the wicked every day, is not the whole world fallen in sin? (Psalm 7:11) Perhaps you might resolve this conflict by saying "He hates the sin, but loves the sinner." While I agree that God has a general love for His creation, He cannot draw near to us in love, unless Jesus takes our place. We are enemies of God, not His beloved children. (Romans 5:10) "They that are of a forward heart are  abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight." (Proverbs 11:20) It's not "a forward heart" that is an abomination to the Lord, but those who posses a forward heart. Perhaps it st...

Ecclesiastes 3:14: I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that the people fear before Him. I love that... "Whatever God does endures forever." Why do you suppose that is? I petition to you that it is because God is omnipotent. What does omnipotent mean? Purely, all powerful. When we imagine how much power and might God has, enough to create the universe with His voice, gloriously bring millions of people to Himself by His blood, and sustain life on earth since creation (which is no sweat for Him), He must have a lot of power. More than the human mind could ever comprehend. "This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ..." (Ephesians 5:32) There is so much about God that we will never understand, but it is humbling to try. "To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of...

Berea was relating to me how empty and hopeless the gospel is without God. "Well obviously," you might say. What she was getting at was when we only talk about certain attributes of God and not others we actually change the gospel into something it isn't. That's serious. And after a week of hearing this type of preaching, I could see the anger in my friend's face. Friends, if we pick and choose God's attributes and modify the gospel to make it more"acceptable", we are in danger of the wrath of God. Look at how Paul addresses the Galatians when they tried to modify the gospel to incorporate the traditions of men and in turn make a legalistic gospel. "I marvel that ye are soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you , and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we h...