The way of People

The way of People 

by David Brenneman 

‭‭"The wicked earns deceptive wages, But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.  He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life, And he who pursues evil will bring about his own death. The perverse in heart are an abomination to the Lord, But the blameless in their walk are His delight. Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished, But the descendants of the righteous will be delivered." Proverbs 11:18-21 

Proverbs 26:4-5 "Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. The self-confident fool thinks too highly of himself and his opinions, and he shares them freely."

The guide to living life isn't going to change.  Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever.  Jesus said that not one tiny part of the Word of God would pass away unfulfilled.  

In a world of edits and rewrites, re-imagined works, of rebooted television shows and movies...there are none concerning the Word of God. 

We can never go about living a successful life by picking and choosing what parts of the Bible are to be followed and what parts to toss.

We will never approach God and have Him ready to accept our critiquing His Word to make it more appealing to ourselves or the masses. 

We indeed are told to guard our hearts.  Says so right there in Proverbs 4:23.  

When living this life...we need guidance, instruction, from the Author of life.  

It's not for us to make this world into our own image either.  

The treasure stored up in Heaven isn't anything material...it's people.  Those who have freely received the gospel message and have Jesus Christ as their Savior. 

The Disciples example of living in 4 Gospels is our example for life.  What Jesus said and did was their example to learn and to duplicate.   

They weren't taught how to get rich quick. 

They weren't taught how to accumulate money or possessions. 

They weren't taught how to mindlessly indulge in things of this world. 

We do indeed move among all kinds of people.  What's interesting is how well it's been lost that people who are Christians do not question those around them.  Do not recognize those who are probably demon possessed.  2,000 plus years ago those kinds of people were recognized.  We have been trained by this world, from a very young age, to accept whatever the world tells us to accept.  To raise up as truth whatever the world defines as true.  To condemn whatever the concensus of the world says should be condemned.  Writing laws to that effect.  Attempting to nullify the Word of God in the process. 

Someone once said that all it takes for evil to prosper is for good men to do nothing. 

Powerful people in powerful positions only think they have the upper hand...yet another self-deception.  The Bible speaks to this...it is the Lord Jesus Christ who sets up rulers and removes them. 

Those who think that their evil ways are good and who think that they have shown God who's in control...are only fooling themselves.  

Those who have gone through drastic measures to alter their bodies will find, upon death, that it was for nothing. They cannot change the spirit that God created them to be.

The perversions of our society are not what's right and true.  The Bible says to beware of those who call good as evil and evil as good.  

In the Spiritual battles in which we find ourselves, there is no place for the soldier's of the Cross to stick their heads in the sand.  There are no conscientious objectors in the Spiritual forces of God. 

There are no parts of the body of Christ who serve no purpose.  Things in a healthy human body all have a specific purpose.  Things in a body or on a body that aren't supposed to be there for the good of the body...are cancerous. They are there to attack and destroy.  

The smug of heart who raise a fist at God...will one day kneel before Jesus and confess that He is Lord.  

Willingly or unwillingly all will be doing this.  No excuses or exceptions...even Satan will comply.

We live in a world of crafted excuses.  A world that loves to find loopholes and exceptions to enjoy sinful activities.  To see how close to the line that is sin that we can get without crossing over. 

The Bible teaches us to flee worldly temptations...not to try to dance with them. 

If you breathed your last, what would your legacy be?  Would people only speak about your hobbies, worldly interests, exploits, places lived...would there be more said of that kind of thing rather than a message to the world that sin is real, and Jesus saved you? That your relationship with Jesus meant more to you than anything?  That your dying wish is that others would find that salvation too?  

Nothing physical goes with anyone to the next life.  Nothing.  

We will only be known for the deeds done in our bodies.  For those who are saved there's no chance at condemnation before Jesus.  Because we have His righteousness.  Those who aren't have their own...and there's absolutely no comparison.  

Love God with our everything and love people.  Regardless of how agonizing it might be. 

I am learning how to live life in new ways because of how agonizing it is working with some people who are most likely demon possessed, having twisted minds, seared consciences.  Yet they are still alive not at all interested in the mercy of God.  That their life is condemning them before a Holy God.  Jesus still died for such as these.

The Father’s business was in reaching people for salvation in Christ Jesus alone. 

The going therefore to make disciples is the Father’s business.  

The study of the Word of God teaches us how to do that. 

Embracing the compromises of the world will never bring about the righteous life that God desires.  We read in the Bible many times to be on the alert.  You cannot be on the alert for something unless you are educated on what to be on the alert about. 

My God has fixed a day in which He will judge the world.  We have a very limited time on this Earth.  We have much to learn in Christ and our world does not want us learning about it.  

What are you intentional about in Christ Jesus?

What are you doing to further the Gospel?

What are you doing to be seen as Jesus wants you to be seen as in this world?

The only retirement plan in the Bible is death.  It isn't 65 and out.  There's no passage in the Bible saying it's someone else's job.  

There's what you were given to be doing by the Spirit in the body of Christ.  Loving God, loving people.  

Would you be told "Well done!" by Jesus or asked "What were you thinking?".

While you are still breathing there's hope to start doing what you're placed in the body of Christ to be doing. 

As Dr. Charles Stanley taught "obey God and leave the consequences to Him."

Start questioning and asking the Spirit to point out those things, those areas of your life where you have compromised.  Be who you were meant to be in Christ.  We live in a fallen world that's in opposition to the Word of God.  Expect difficulties.  Jesus told us that too.

We are not alone, pray at all times. 

Recognize the importance of living right before Jesus rather than not offending others.   You live fully for Jesus, you are GOING to offend others.  Jesus said that they hated Him, they will hate us too.  He also said to fear not that He has overcome the world.

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.