Rejoice Not in the Death/Punishment of the Wicked

So, what is a hypocrite? Who is one and who isn't?

According to Wikipedia, "Hypocrisy is the act of pretending that one has beliefs, opinions, virtues, feelings, qualities or standards that they do not actually have; this is usually done in order to mask their actual motives or feelings; falseness."

It goes further to state: "The term hypocrite is widely misused. Many persons state that hypocrisy is the action of 'not practising what you preach'."

So, hypocrisy is NOT saying certain behavior is wrong and then performing said behavior. Hypocrisy is saying certain behavior is wrong, performing said behavior, and then DENYING one has done it or, more commonly, RATIONALIZING the behavior.

It is easy to become guilty of this. We see someone we don't like undermining someone we like, and we get angry and criticize them for it. Then we undermine the offender. However, when challenged, we state that in our case the behavior is justified, so it isn't the same.

Consider recent news. Bernard Madoff has just been sentence to 150 years in prison for swindling people of their life's savings. How easy it is for us - especially those of us who have personally suffered from his schemes - to react with joy, declaring he but reaps the fruits of his labor.

But what of ourselves? Is that how we wish to be judged? True, we may not have swindled people out of their money - or maybe we have. Just not millions and billions. But whether we have swindled or not is not the point. The point is this: Is that how we wish to be judged?

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is te log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Matthew 7:1-5 Revised Standard Version

So what am I saying? That we just let all criminals everywhere go free? No. I'm saying we need to be careful how we judge others, because that is how God will judge us. If we offer no mercy to others, we will get no mercy.

So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 Revised Standard Version

Do not take pleasure in the punishment and suffering of others, even when it is so clear their punishment and suffering is of their own doing. Do not rejoice at their destruction, for God does not.

And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, Thus have you said: 'Our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we waste away becaues of them; how then can we live?' Say to them, As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel? Ezekiel 33:10-11 Revised Standard Version

I am as guilty as the next person in expressing joy at the suffering of those who have inflicted pain and misery across the world, or even to a few I know. It's hard not to be that way. But the truth is, I don't want to be judged like that. I want mercy. I want forgiveness. Therefore, I must offer mercy. I must offer forgiveness. Otherwise, I disqualify myself.

The real tragedy with Madoff isn't even the people who have suffered - and died - because of his actions. It's that he may not "turn from his way and live". Then God will be grieved, too.

Let Us Not Neglect to Offer the Sacrifice of Praise

Praise. I don't dole it out well. Perhaps that's because I saw so little of it growing up. There were no fine examples of offering praise. It's a shame, because people need praise. Young people. Old people. Men. Women. Dark-skinned. Light-skinned. We need praise. Without it we dry up.

But not silly praise. Not phony praise. Not the kind we think of when we envision sycophants talking up whoever it is they are sucking up to. Not the kind we think of when we think of stage hands and studio gophers talking up the big-named act just so they get to keep their job.

I mean real praise. Praise which is deserved. Praise which has been earned. We have all done things - at least on occasion - for which we deserve a pat on the back and recognition for a job well done.

Praising people is hard, but for some reason it is even harder to praise God. At least for those of us who don't know how to do it. Some do it well. I should be better at it. I've been a Christian for a good many years now. More years than not.

King David knew how to offer praise. All of the psalmists did.

God has been more than kind to me. Sometimes I remember to thank him. I seldom take the time to praise him. How horrible am I? I know better than anyone what God has done for me. I should offer praise every day for God's bountiful mercy and love. Lacking my own words I offer this from the Book of Psalms.

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his exceeding greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with timbrel and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! PSALM 150 Revised Standard Verison

Sometimes Faith Has a Price

Faith. When do we have it and when don't we? When do we trust God and when do we give up?

Of course, the simple answer is we always trust God and we never give up. But that is what we're supposed to say and do. How do we really behave?

The truth is, we trust God for our salvation, but when it comes to our daily lives we tend to exclude him. How often have you (I) stood and boldly declared our faith in God - when things were well, or we just received some blessing? Then, when things go dry, and emotions fail us for fear, we abandon faith and try to save ourselves?

It is normal to feel fear. It is normal to face doubts. The greatest born of women suffered his doubts and fears. But how did he handle it?

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?" And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is he who takes no ofense at me." As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind? Why then did you go out? To see a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who wear soft raiment are in kings' houses. Why then did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who sahall prepare thye way before thee.' Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." Matthew 11:2-11 Revised Standard Version

"A reed shaken by the wind." What does that mean? I think it means John was not swayed by his emotions. He didn't just trust God when he felt like it. He trusted God when he had doubts, too. Especially when he had doubts and fear. He sent to Jesus when he had fear. Note Jesus' reply. Instead of just saying "yes", he quotes the Prophet Isaiah, using the verses which prove his being the Messiah, the Christ. Jesus began his ministry by quoting Isaiah.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Isaiah 61:1-2a Revised Standard Version

Jesus did not read the second part of verse two. That speaks of God's wrath and judgment, which is yet to come.

What is easy to do is proclaim we have received a message from God. Any fool can do that, whether God has sent them a message or not. What is hard is trusting in that message when everything seems to indicate that the message is not going to happen. That is hard whether God has sent the message or not.

I am in a place now where I am hard-pressed to find anyone who believes God sent me a message. Current indications are that he did not. Why? Because the message I believe God sent me was not to sell my house when I lost my job seven years ago. So I took it off the market. And for nearly seven years we have remained in this house, often by means which had nothing to do with us. Tax rebate checks from the government. An insurance check after a storm. A sister who borrowed money. During these seven years I have had nearly everyone tell me in one form or another that I was crazy to believe I had received a message from God and that I should sell the house before I lost it. My response has always been: God never said I wouldn't lose the house. He just said, "Don't sell it." So I'm not.

Our personal financial collapse happened at the end of August seven years ago. At the end of August this year we are slated to be kicked out of our house for not meeting financial obligations.

It has not always been easy to believe I got a real message from God. Well, that's not true. It has been easy to believe it. What has not been easy is believing God will take care of us. So many days and nights I vented angrily at God in the lowest level. I asked for signs. For miracles. For anything. What I got was silence. Then, at the last minute, things would happen and we would get another year. This occured for six years. Over the last two my rants have become few and further between. This year no miracle occured, and the foreclosure was processed. We are down to eight weeks.

I am still under pressure to give up believing God intends to take care of us. It's hard to resist. It would be easy to just give up believing. But I can't. I may be insane, and maybe I'm living a delusion, but I trust God. He told me not to sell the house. I can no more be convinced that was a lie than I can be convinced it did not rain this morning. (Thunderstormed, actually.) I believe God spoke to me, and I did not sell the house. And no matter what happens, I will still trust God. God has put himself on the line - using me. How can I do anything else but believe?

After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" Simon Peter answerd him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God." John 6:66-69 Revised Standard Version

Not everyone who trusts in faith gets what they are trusting for in this life. The book of Hebrews confirms this. In the faith chapter, immediately after telling of the wondrous miracles achieved through faith, we are told of those who got nothing.

Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God has forseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Hebrews 11:35-39 Revised Standard Version

You see, what I have learned in the past seven years is that faith isn't about getting what we want, or even being cared for in comfort. Faith is about trusting God, even when horrible things happen. Because they do, you know. But God is still in control. God still loves us. That - you can put your faith in.

Amen.

Absolutely

Our human lives seem geared to thinking in absolutes. When we say something is "good", the implication seems to be there is nothing whatsoever wrong with it. When we say it is "bad", the opposite is true.

My in-laws are very much this way when referencing those they love. They simply cannot acknowledge the wrong-doing of those who fall within their love. They will not admit it. To admit those they love have broken some law is to say they don't love them.

At the same time, those who they acknowledge as "wrong-doers" don't get a lot of love. It's an extremist way of thinking, and it is shared by millions of people around the world.

Why?

Do we not acknowledge our own sins? Does this mean we hate ourselves? God doesn't want that anymore than he wants us hating others. And speaking of God, do we not agree that God loves us? All of us? And yet what does he say about us?

To Peter, when Peter tried to talk him out of doing God's will: "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but men." This is recorded immediately after Peter's declaration that Jesus is the Christ!

Again, in Matthew: "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your hildren, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good thins t othose who ask him!"

"You brood of vipers! how can you speak good, when you are evil?"

But God showed his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

God tells us we are saved by grace. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God - not because of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 Revised Standard Version

God also tells us that there are behaviors and attitudes he expects from us. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-24 Revised Standard Version

And we are given a list of behaviors and attitudes to avoid. Now the works of the flesh are plain; fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 Revised Standard Version

For centuries people have argued heatedly over what it means to be "saved by grace". Some erroneously believe that those who hold that salvation is through grace, and grace alone, are advocating some sort of lip service to God which frees them to commit any horrible act they choose.

At the same time, the "grace holders" accuse the others of being works orientated, ignoring God's gift of forgiveness.

It is confusing only when we think in terms of absolutes. The truth is, there is no conflict in the statements. One simply must understand just what it is God is telling us.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would. But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law. Galatians 5:16-18 Revised Standard Version

What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. James 2:14-17 Revised Standard Version

Let us consider four (4) scenarios. They each represent a kind of person. When I speak of "acknowledging God" I am talking of accepting forgiveness which was given through Jesus Christ.

Person 1: Does not acknowledge God and does all of the things God says not to do and virtually none of the things God requires.

Person 2: Does not acknowledge God and does some of the things God says not to do and tries to do all of the things God requires.

Person 3: Acknowledges God but does a lot of the things God says not to do and virtually none of the things God requires.

Person 4: Acknowledges God and does some of the things God says not to do and tries to do all of the things God requires.

If all four people were truly as they are described, which two will go to heaven and which two will be excluded? The answer is that Persons 3 and 4 go to heaven - by virtue of having accepted God's forgiveness. Persons 1 and 2 are excluded for rejecting God's forgiveness.

But James seems to be telling us something. What?

It has to do with Persons 2 and 3. Let us first consider Person 3.

Supposedly, Person 3 has accepted God's forgiveness. But have they? There is certainly no evidence of it. When a person accepts God's forgiveness they are "baptized" into God's family. The Holy Spirit enters their body and dwells inside them with their own spirit. This gives them both the power and the (growing) will to behave like God. So why isn't this person desiring to behave like God? Why are they behaving like Person 1? What James is telling us is that it is very likely that Person 3 is a liar, seeking to create a false image in the minds of the other Persons. But God is not deceived. He knows where his Spirit resides and where it has been excluded. Person 3 will NOT go to heaven because Person 3 is lying when they say they have accepted God's forgiveness.

Now let's look at Person 2. Person 2 is behaving a lot like Person 4, except Person 2 seems to be having trouble acknowledging Jesus. On the surface, it would seem they are a pitiful case because without God's forgiveness they cannot go to heaven. But what does Jesus himself say about these people?

"When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the King will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the lease of these my brethren, you did it to me.'" Matthew 25:31-40 Revised Standard Version

To the Person 3 types he says the opposite.

So what is going on? Works or faith?

Both.

You see, if you have true, God-forgiving, faith, your life will change. You won't do this in order to achieve grace and forgiveness, you will do this because you have grace and forgiveness.

What Jesus is saying is that it is possible to have faith in him and not even realize it. Just as it is possible to say you have faith and not. God knows. He is not fooled. Some do things out of pride and confidence in their own ability. This excludes faith in God. Some do things out of faith in God. This, by definition, includes Jesus, for Jesus is God. But some people don't like the name and use another. There is only one God, so if the faith is real, we are worshiping the same God.

It seems a paradox, but it isn't.

My son helps me around the house because he is my son. When his friends come by and help him with helping me that does not make them my children. In order for them to become my children I must adopt them. It is not their choice, although I would certainly not adopt a child who did not want me to adopt them. That's the way it is with God. He adopts us into his family. Not because we do things, but because he wants to and we said yes.

The Power of Love and Faith

I read something interesting in the book of John this morning.

John Chapter Twenty (Revised Standard Version)

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

verses 19-25

I bolded the portion which struck me. It is similar to something else I've read in the Gospels.

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Mark 2:1-5 Revised Standard Version

Again, I bolded the portion of concern.

There is great power in love. The greatest power is the power of forgiveness. For with the power of forgiveness people can live with God.

Who are the greatest missionaries? The greatest are those who love the most. Their love is seen in their actions, and so people believe God.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 Revised Standard Version

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in my nam,e I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you aks anything in my name, I will do it. If you love me, you will keep my commandments. John 14:12-15 Revised Standard Version

What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. James 2:14-17 Revised Standard Version

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:23-24 Revised Standard Version

Something Real From My Life

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127:1 Revised Standard Version

I don't often write about what's going on in my daily life on this blog. Tried to view things from a "bigger picture". But the verse above came to me just now as I sent out my query for the book I've written, "Swords of Fire: Traitor".

God gives each of us talent. Each of us is free to use it as we will. In Matthew, Chapter Twenty-Five, we read Jesus' parable of the man who gave talents to his servants. He did not disburse the talents equally. Some were given more than others. Those who were given more were able to increase it more. But the servant to did nothing with his talent lost it, and was cast away.

I was given the ability to tell stories. This came from God. The stories I tell are told at my discretion. (The spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets. 1 Corinthians 14:32 Revised Standard Version. This means we choose what we say to others.) I have chosen to devote most of my storytelling to fantasy stories. That many conservative Christians believe fantasy to be of the devil is true. I do not share this belief. It is no more sinful to write about make-believe evils than it is to write about real ones, a.k.a. Holy Scriptures. God gave me a vivid imagination. I have used it all my life, and now it is even larger than ever before. In at least a way, I believe this glorifies God, for the imagination came from him. And I like my stories.

Now I am trying to get my epic series represented by an agent. This is the next step to seeing the book in publication. Not into self-publishing. Not going to say there is anything wrong with self-publishing, but it isn't what I'm after. But it all comes back to God's blessing - or his withholding of it.

I have done my part. I wrote a good story. I edited it. I rewrote it. Edited it again. And again. and again. Wrote a query. Edited it. Submitted it for critique. Edited it. Found an agent to submit to. Edited the query again. Sent it with a prayer to God.

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127:1 Revised Standard Version

Unless the LORD blesses the query, he who sends it sends it in vain.

What is God's Will

"I have said all of this to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God." John 16:1-2 Revised Standard Version

What a horrible thought. To commit crimes against God and believe we are acting in God's interests. And yet it goes on every day. We read and hear about it over the news.

A man kills an abortion doctor. Bombs are exploded. People beheaded. Shots fired. All in the name of pleasing God. And yet God is not pleased at all.

Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? Ezekiel 18:23 Revised Standard Version

"For I have no pleasure in the death of any one," says the Lord God; "so turn, and live." Ezekiel 18:32 Revised Standard Version

Sometimes it is hard to know what God would have us do. Sometimes it's easy. Generally, it gets harder when we allow our own desires to get in our way. It's hard to get quiet before God. But it's what needs to be done in order to communicate well with him.

And he said, "Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice to him, and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 1 Kings 19:9-13 Revised Standard Version

Where was God? In the quiet. Using the earth, and the things of earth and space, God can wreck tremendous violence. But God is a quiet spirit. He speaks to us quietly and persistently, seeking our attention via our will, not our senses.

Remember, God is love. That should be our starting point in determining God's will.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever! Psalm 111:10 Revised Standard Version

When is Love Over

Genesis Chapter One (New King James Version)

[1] In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

[2] The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

[3] Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.

[4] And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.

There are a couple of things which come to my mind every time I read these verses. The first goes back to the first time I read them, as a child. Read the first two sentences again. Does anything strike you as strange?

Well, maybe strange is the wrong word. But think about this. When you create something, whether of clay, machinery, Lego Blocks, or whatever, do you create it without form and void? Who does that?

And when you read the third sentence another thing becomes obvious: before God created light, the earth existed. So did water. And darkness.

These things have mattered to me since I was a child. The most likely answer has been one that a lot of Christians are loth to accept: God did not create the earth in seven days. He fixed it in seven days.

The earth was here, but destroyed, when God said, "Let there be light." He had created the earth, and all of the universe around it. Then, something happened. "The earth was without form, and void." The most likely cause of this destruction was the fall of Lucifer from grace. When he turned to evil he destroyed everything around himself, including the earth, which apparently had been his place. Then, like a good mechanic and auto body specialist, God took the damaged remains and rebuilt the earth, filling it again with life, but this time adding new elements, such as grass, and human beings. He also seems to have given it a timetable to a predetermined end, after which he will take it all apart and rebuild it from scratch.

A few years ago I discovered a website devoted to this concept. It is here, if you wish to check it out for yourself.

But what about Lucifer? We call him Satan. The Devil. He has a host of other unpleasant names, all of which he has earned. But what about him? What is God's attitude toward him?

I will give you my belief up front, and then present a few reasons why I believe it. Whether you accept my thinking as rationale, stupid, or heresy, I'll leave to you.

I think God loves him. I really do.

Why? How?

Well, first off, is not God love? Certainly, what come from God is love.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 New King James Version

Another point, and this comes from Genesis 1:4, where God looks at the light he has just created and sees it as "good". God did not create anything, or anyone, "evil", or "bad". Why would he? Consider these verses, written by the Prophet Ezekiel. They are agreed to be written about Lucifer himself.

..You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty...You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. (see Ezekiel 28:12-19)

Satan was not created evil. He became evil. So, if he was not created evil, is it not reasonable to believe God loved him? Why would he not love someone who was so perfect? He loves us, and we're far from perfect.

But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 New King James Version

So God must have loved Lucifer. Now, let's read what God says about love.

1 Corinthians Chapter 13 (New King James Version)

[4] Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

[5] does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

[6] does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

[7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

[8] Love never fails.

If God ever loved Lucifer, and love never fails, then God still has to love him. That just makes sense.

So why bring this up?

Because of something someone once said to me. She could not accept that God would ever send anyone to hell. It was beyond her to comprehend how a loving God could condemn someone to hell, despite what the Holy Scriptures say.

Well, do we not all agree that the Lake of Fire is exactly where Satan and the demons are going? And is it not true that Satan is Lucifer, turned to evil? And is it not true that Lucifer was once perfect and holy before God? And did not God love him? And does not love continue forever? And is not God sending a being (and others) into hell who he loves?

So why not us?

It's a matter of progressive logic, people. But the people, demons, and whatever who wind up in the Lake of Fire wind up there because they have rejected the true God of the universe.

Romans Chapter One (New King James Version)

[18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

[19] because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

[20] For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

[21] because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

[22] Professing to be wise, they became fools,

[23] and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man - and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

[24] Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,

[25] who exchanged the truth of God for hte lie, and worshiped and served the creatrue rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

It doesn't have to be that way. We just need to seek the real God the God of the universe.

Matthew Seven (New King James Version)

[7] Ask, and it will be given t oyou; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

[8] For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

[9] Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

[10] Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?

[11] if you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things t othose who ask Him!

[12] Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

What One Can Learn From a Garage Sale

It's been a few days since I've posted to this blog. Sorry for the absence. Been big into our garage sale of late. I have been posting on two of my other blogs regularly, but they were my first and I like to get them before the others if I can.

Had a conversation with a friend recently about the garage sale and how it's been going. I mentioned something which was brought home to me again as a result of our selling things: racism.

Back in 2002, after the company I worked for decided to dump half of my department (and all but two over forty), Spouse and I started a catalog business. We sold gift items. We also did craft shows and home parties. Did okay the first year, but each subsequent year was worse than the previous until the only sales we made were when we took items from inventory and gave them away as gifts. Basically, the business sold the item at cost, and still had to pay sales tax.

Anyway, one of my assigned duties was determining what products we would sell and at what price. Since we were operating a gift store business many of the items fell into the figurines category, and I purchased an assortment. Those which did best were of animals, but people figures did all right. Except for those of minorities. Spouse warned me that they would be hard to sell, but I didn't believe it. Racism belonged to our parents' generation, not ours. People our age and younger weren't saddled with all of that rubbish anymore.

I was wrong.

The only people to purchase these items were minorites. Caucasians, which made up most of our clientele, would not purchase them. Not even Christians. Real Christians, who really do believe in Jesus as their Savior. Not even when the poses were Christian in nature. It was a sad eye-opener for me.

Not that I am immune to prejudices and such. It's impossible not to be affected. But these are inanimate objects. How can one be prejudice against an inanimate object? My two beautiful black angel music figurines remained unsold for years - until this week when a Nigerian woman showed up and purchased them both for a dollar apiece. I paid nine dollars each to get them. But no one would buy them.

Had a pair of Christmas ornaments: one with caucasian figures and one with black. A woman came and picked the first out. Wanting to eliminate our inventory I offered a buy-one-get-one-free deal for the other. She started to take the other, but suddenly withdrew her hand as though it were offensive. My only conclusion was that it was because the other depicted black figures.

Like I said, I have my own problems with prejudice, so it is fairly hypocritical of me to complain about the behavior of others. But it saddens me that my generation is NOT the generation which finally puts this nonsense away.

I've never liked it that many minorities spend so much time complaining about racism. But it turns out raciscm is rampant and I am the one living in a fairytale world. Are people of color different than me? Absolutely. But guess what? So are caucasian people. We're all different! That's what makes us individuals.

Yet at the same time, we have so much in common.

Each of us needs God in our lives. We are made up of spirits contained in vessels of flesh and blood, which dictate so much of our lives. We will all live forever in some place. To avoid hell, we must be forgiven of God. All of us. Not just caucasians. Not just people of color. We all suffer from life's injustices. And yet some of us see fit to add to those pains so that others suffer even more. That is not what God had in mind when he created us.

Do not Judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment. John 7:24 Revised Standard Verison

And if you invoke as Father him who judges each one impartially according to his deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile. 1 Peter 1:17 Revised Standard Version

The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the LORD tries hearts. Proverbs 17:3 Revised Standard Version

God doesn't judge us according to our race. Why do we?

Let Us Be Slow to Judge and Quick to Forgive

You know, it seems like everytime something bad happens (to someone else) we get a rush of over-exuberant preachers announcing that it is God's judgment on whoever it happened to because they are reprobates. The truth is, this is not a scriptural stand.

Consider Nineveh. It was a mighty city. It was also an offense to God. Ultimately, it would be destroyed. But what was God's method? Let us look at the book of Jonah to see.

Jonah Chapter One (New King James Version)

[1] Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amitai, saying,

[2] "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me."

What is God doing? He is warning the people of Nineveh beforehand.

Surely the LORD GOD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. Amos 3:7 New King James Version

God does not "spring" things on us. He warns us beforehand. It only seems like he has done so because so often we fail to listen to the warnings.

People have always assumed tragedy - when it happens to others - is a result of their sin. This I read just this morning.

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him." John 9:1-3 Revised Standard Version

And there is this from Luke.

Luke Chapter 13 (New King James Version)

[1] There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

[2] And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?

[3] I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

[4] Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?

[5] I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

When tragedy strikes anyone it should make us think of God. But not to blame him for allowing it, or accuse him of punishing. God is not into punishment. Not yet. The days of his wrath are reserved for the Tribulation, and the Anti-Christ. We are currently living in a time of grace.

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, whoever you are, when you judge another; for in passing judgment upon him you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who do such things. Do you suppose, O man, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume upon the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not know that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:1-4 Revised Standard Version

Judgment is delayed because God is being kind. God is being kind because he wants us all to repent and is giving each of us time.

When bad things happen it's because bad things happen. Evil is in the world and it lands where it will. God protects us, but not all of the time. We all know the story of Job, a man richly blessed by God. God withdrew his protection of Job in order to show the angelic host what true faith really is. Faith goes beyond what is happening. It leaves off with the immediate and focuses on God. To the unbeliever this is insanity. To the believer it is their ultimate comfort.

The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they rae folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14 Revised Standard Version

Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others sufferd mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed wtih the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whem the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts adn mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well-attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had forseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Hebrews 11:35-40 Revised Standard Version

It isn't about what happens here. It's about what happens later.