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The above statement is found in I Peter 3:15. The Christian is to make a determined effort to ensure the truth that God rules in his heart. Jesus condemned those who came with their mouth and lips to honor God while their heart was far from Him (Matt. 15:8). When the Lord God rules in our hearts, the end result is the living of a life which should gender respect on the part of all people. Jesus was dealing with the concern of the apostles as He spoke about His coming death. He then tells them to not allow their hearts to be troubled (John 14:1). The brethren in Colosse were told to allow the word of Christ to live in them (Col. 3:16). In these cases, it is a matter of choice. This is why it must be a determined effort.

Peter continues to tell Christians to be alert and be ready when men would ask them about why they live the way they do. The idea is someone would ask about the reason for our hope. Would we not be able to see from such truth that we are to live our lives in confidence before God and the world. The law of Moses did not have the power to remove sins (Heb. 10:1-4). We are then taught that by coming to Christ we renounce the bondage and accept the truth that God is our Father (Rom. 8:15).

The church has always been plagued by those who operate a secret agenda of one kind or another. Jude called them spots in your feasts of charity (verse 12). If what Jesus taught the apostles in private was to be shouted from the rooftops, the living of what we preach should be just as open. Why some brethren choose to act as if they can hide secret agendas or plans from God is truly amazing. If we have sanctified God in our hearts to rule over our hearts, then our lives should be open for the world to see. Paul wrote about those who were “false brethren” (Gal. 2:4). They are such which serve their own bellies and not Christ (Rom. 16:18). Let us instead have joy in daily serving the King of kings and Lord of lords (I Tim. 6:15).

Almost daily we are treated to some kind of news about violence in our streets. The news media is quick to inform us about how divided our nation is. Depending on how many news outlets you turn to, you will find a variety of opinions as to what should be done. I use this article to say what is needed is to trace the source of the anger. In one way that may have many different sources. What I am speaking of, however, is to say to the world and to us, let us look to the source and then we can find solutions.

In Matthew 5 Jesus begins to teach about the difference of the Old Law of Moses and the way things will be once His kingdom comes into effect. Part of His teaching centered around anger. First of all He goes back to the law of Moses (Matt. 5:21). He showed that under the law of Moses that if one committed murder they could face the judgment. On one hand the judgment would be some civil authority enacting justice to protect society from a murderer. It would like carry the idea of a person dying in such a state and having to face God with such a sin against their soul.

In the next verse Jesus speaks about anger under His coming law. Two sides are presented about anger. On one hand is anger with a cause and on the other hand, anger without a cause (verse 22). There were two occasions when Jesus cleansed the temple, at the start of His ministry and then again at the end of His ministry. Look at what Matthew tells us about the second time He cleansed the temple. He ran people out of the temple area, overthrew tables and scattered everything (Matt. 21:12). What is this? It is anger with a cause. In the next verse He reminds those still standing there that God’s house would be called a house of prayer and not merchandise (verse 13).

Samuel tells us about at least two incidents when Saul threw a spear at David to kill him (I Sam. 18:11). Why was Saul so angry at his son-in-law? In simple terms, Saul was jealous of David. This is anger without a cause for David in no way was a threat to Saul.

Back to Matthew 5, Jesus states this in verse 22. If one is angry with his brother without a cause, he would be in danger of the judgment. It is the same word used back in verse 21. However, this kind of judgment could be the kind administered by men in some sort of judicial authority. Your anger had spilled over into life and others sought to punish you for it. The second kind cited here is the council, that is some kind of judicial body that would punish your outbreak of anger.

The third kind stated by Jesus was that if you said someone was a fool, that is worthless person you would be in danger of hell fire. The implication being that one would not repent of the anger in their heart and thereby meet God unprepared. This kind of anger would be not only the immediate action but refers more to the content of one’s heart. More knowledge of the kingdom type living is presented in Eph. 4:26. There the Christian is taught to not allow the sun to go down on one’s wrath. Sudden anger can occur with any of us. The difference is the Christian resolves the cause of the anger and thereby keeps his heart clear and clean (James 4:8). Christian husbands are taught by the Lord to not be bitter against their wives (Col. 3:19). I bring this up to show that yes we can be bitter over words or actions but we do not allow the bitterness to stay and grow in our hearts. This is the same way with anger.

What is evident when we see masked thugs burning buildings, destroying property or attacking people, is anger in the heart. What is also evident is how much this country and the world needs Jesus. The real Jesus in the Bible who helped the fallen, condemned the wicked and challenged the righteous. May His influence ever grow in our world.

Each day we are seeing pictures of the flooding caused by the storm, Harvey. Federal, State and local authorities working together to save as many as they can. Organizations of one kind or another trying to get supplies and offering help to those who are hurting. Finally neighbors coming out to help neighbors. Those who are being help do not have tags like Democrat, Republican, Independent. The color of skin does not matter nor where they have lived. It is all the people from all over our country who have come to help and others sending money and supplies.

People have lost almost everything they have owned, many with just the clothes on their backs. Interviews with those now in shelters reveal the shock they are experiencing but also a consistent message emerges. Yes, they have lost so much but are so thankful that they and others have not lost their lives. It is a clearing of all our thinking about what is most important in life. Jesus said that our souls are the most important things in life (Matt. 16:26). The needs of the soul transcends wealth, color of skin or political interest.

The storm continues to cause problems in other cities of Texas and other states as well. The need now is for all who can to respond and help in every way possible. First the important thing is to save lives and then later to help people rebuild their lives. Reports are even coming in of looting being done. The criminals and thugs always come out to cause damage and stealing. They do no work for a living but siege every opportunity to take from others. Riots in our streets whatever the assumed cause brings out the criminals and thugs who come to take advantage.

Our prayers and whatever we can do or send goes out for all those hit by the storms. Our Lord taught us to treat others as we would want to be treated (Matt. 7:12). If we had lost everything, we would not care who came to help us. So it is with those who have followed Jesus the Christ. We possess no sword in our hands but use our hands to help those who are fallen (Heb. 12:12). The Christian because he serves the Lord Christ goes the second mile and does all he can to help both Christian and non-Christian alike (James 2:15-16; Gal. 6:10). It is not about wearing a wrist band with the letters WWJD (what would Jesus do), but it is about living a daily life in which there is genuine concern for man’s physical and spiritual needs.

I remember one night in Cottondale, Alabama that based on the track of the storms that some 4 tornadoes hit the area that night. The next morning with some wind and light rain, people from all over the community were helping each other with power saws, picking up fallen limbs and other trash. To anyone who has lived through such we give thanks that man was made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26). The criminals and thugs represent all that is an effect of the departure from that image.

Paul instructed Timothy to not be entangled with the affairs of this life (2 Tim. 2:4). The word entangled would mean to be entwined with the affairs of this life. Peter uses the same word in speaking about those who are pulled away from the Lord and become entangled in the pollutions of the world (2 Peter 2:20). Would it not stand to reason that Paul was warning Timothy as did Peter to not become involved with the pollutions of this world which would take one away from the Lord. Some read the statement to Timothy and take it mean to not be involved with the things of this life.

That reasoning does not agree with other scriptures. For example the Christian is taught to be the salt, preserving influence, in the world in which he lives. If not being entangled as per Paul’s statement to mean avoiding the world, how then would be able to influence the world? Same chapter calls upon us to allow our lights to shine (Matt. 5:16). The purpose of the shining is that men of the world would see our good works and glorify God.

Why did Mary and Joseph go back to Bethlehem? Because there was a decree which went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world be taxed (Luke 2: 1). Aquila and Priscilla came to Corinth because Claudius had commanded that all Jews leave Rome (Acts 18:2). Acts 22:25 used Roman law to prevent him from being beaten. Later as Paul penned the letter to the Christians in Rome, he encouraged them to be obedient to those in power. What stirred up certain ones in Ephesus and Thessalonica? Was it not the preaching of the gospel? Regarding Ephesus the tradecraft of idol makers was being threatened by the preaching of Jesus the Christ. All this shows is that Christians live in an ungodly world, which can affect the way we live our lives (Titus 2:12).

In life people wear different “hats”; father and mother, parent and child, neighbor and friend. May I suggest some things in order of importance? I am a Christian, a follower of Jesus the Christ. Because of that I cannot hate any person because of the color of the their skin, their wealth or lack thereof, where they were born or what ideals govern their lives. The God we serve is said of Him, “God is love” (I John 4:8). His Son came to this earth and died for us because of the love that both He and the Father had for mankind. We infringe on such love if we choose a path of hatred.

I am an American and choose to follow the law of the land that is our constitution. By being an American I want to abide by the laws of the land and seek in no way to undermine the principles that guided the forming of this nation. I am a son of the South having been born and raised in Alabama. I take pride in what our state has accomplished, regret any mistakes which have been made and have respect for all the things done to lead us to where we are. I have lived for over 22 years in the great state of Indiana. I feel toward the state here as I do toward the state in which I was born. There are outside forces working against the unity of our country. They set up the guidelines to promote hate among races of people, economic status, and of more recent days, where one was born. The first thing I listed was that I am a Christian. I have watched over the news media events in our country where violence erupted, death and injury occurred. One thing I know for sure is that by following Christ my voice nor my ideals I try to live by would have been listened to by any side of that angry mob.

Paul made a defense of his faith in Jesus, speaking in the Hebrew tongue to a crowd who was trying to kill him. They gave him silence and he began his defense (Acts 21:40). The angry mob having been silent immediately went back to anger when Paul spoke of going to Gentiles (Acts 22:21). The Lord nor His will nor His way has changed in over 2000 years. Let us as Christian pray, know God’s will and if given an opportunity defend the faith, and do all in our power to diffuse the growing anger.

If one is identifying a wolf or a lamb, it would not be hard to do. Jesus dealt with those who would be false prophets. How can you know if one is false or not? The answer from Jesus was by their fruits, that is, what they produce (Matt. 7:20). John warned those of the first century to try the spirits (I John 4:1). The reason for trying is there were many false prophets who had gone out into the world. Paul admonished the brethren to mark those who cause divisions contrary to the doctrine of Christ (Rom. 16:17). How would we know if they were true or not? The false prophet serves his own belly and not the Lord (Rom. 16:

Recently I had the opportunity to hear the end of one of the television evangelist sermons. He was very kind in his tone of words. He had the Bible opened and was reading from it. A pan of the audience showed his audience with their Bibles opened and some were making notes. From a visual standpoint the stage was set to convince anyone of the sincerity of the moment and the dedication of the speaker. Samuel was sent to the house of Jesse to find the next king for Israel. His search began with the older sons as they were brought before him. God had to speak to Samuel and let him know this vital truth. Man looks on the outward appearance while God looks on the heart (I Sam. 16:7).

Setting the stage to convey the idea of humility or sincerity is not the standard. As this particular preacher finished up, he went to pray with his audience. As I listened to his words, it was the “sinner’s prayer” taught by denominational groups of one kind or another. It was not his sincerity that I questioned. It was his doctrine that excluded the idea of obedience. If prayer could save one, then why did it not work for Paul? He spent three days in fasting and prayer and did not get rid of one single sin (Acts 22:16). This man on television, like so many others, sounds like a lamb but his doctrine makes him a wolf.

Language was given to man on day six of the creation week. The man was able to name all the animals (Gen. 2:19,20). Later in the same day God created the woman and brought her to the man. With the gift of language he called her woman. Likewise he was given the ability to understand in as much as he knew that she was created by God from him (Gen. 2:21,22). By inspiration the idea of marriage and who can be married was declared in verse 24. Man and woman became husband and wife.

The whole world was of one language until the issues at the tower of Babel (Genesis 11). In the first century world God gave to certain ones the ability to speak in a language they had never been trained in. The purpose being to spread the gospel into all the known world before the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 (Matt. 24:14; Col. 1:23). God used language to convey the truth about salvation to a lost world (I Cor. 2:13). The world saw the foolishness of preaching as to be nothing to be considered. We know through the words of the gospel that all men would have access to the truth whereby they might be saved (I Cor. 1:18; I Peer 1:22).

Keep in mind that God uses words and not impulses to present the truth to mankind. One does not trust their feelings or the fate of those whom they love. Instead man is to trust that which God has revealed. What is implied in that is that man can understand the truth thaT will set him free from the power of sin (John 8:32; Col. 1:13). What the Bible also affirms for us is that God is not the author of confusion (I Cor. 14:33). Using good rules of interpretation and considering all the scriptures dealing with any subject, man can come to know the will of God.

Confusion sometimes occurs because men get mixed up in their minds what it is that God has said. Some of that is caused because of man-made doctrines and the desire to maintain those doctrines. Hence men tamper with the Word of God to keep their doctrines afloat. Jesus came to open the prison in order for us to come out and become servants of righteousness (Isa. 61:1; Rom. 6:17,18). The prison is opened and men can walk free by accepting the truth which God has provided (Acts 17:11).

Isaiah wrote about the earth being made empty (Isa. 24:1). In the same chapter he speaks about the earth reeling like a drunk and being removed. The earth today is still standing and therefore the meaning must be not about the physical earth. The earth of verse 20 is said to be one that will fall and never rise again. God explains to us what is under consideration. Back in verse 5 the earth is described as having transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance and broken the covenant. The work of Isaiah was done in the nation of Judah. The reference then to the earth would speak of the nation of Judah and how they had broken the covenant.

God, through Jeremiah, said He would make a new covenant with His people (Jer. 31:31). The writer of Hebrews said the new covenant was the law of Christ written in the hearts and minds of God’s people (Heb. 8:10). What then would be the meaning from verse 20 of Isaiah 24 about falling and never rising again? Jesus by dying on the cross nailed the old law of Moses to His cross (Col. 2:14). That is once the law of Christ came into full effect the law of Moses would no longer be the source of authority for God’s people.

Confusion occurs because men look at Israel in the Old Testament and mix it with the Israel today in the land of Israel. Israel became a nation in 1948. Hence, preachers today see the Israel of 1948 as being the one whom the promises were made. The passage in Isaiah speaks clearly; it will fall and never rise again. Salvation will never be found in Jerusalem, Israel or any other place on earth. Salvation is in Christ and not in a city or nation.

All three items come together in the book of Jonah. Each was created by God to prove a point to Jonah. The skeptic or those determined to ignore the power of the revealed will of God have often engaged in attacking the book of Jonah. Such attacks are made by those who ignore the evidence and seek for a way to dismiss their responsibilities to God.

In the first case, Jonah is in a boat that is in danger of being broken up by a storm (Jonah 1:4). Each sailor tried and then cried out to each of them, his god (verse 5). Jonah is awakened and told to pray to His God. Lots are cast to figure out who it is that has created this problem of the storm. The man Jonah is the one. They ask who he is and where he is from. He tells them and their fear grows. Finally they come to him asking him what they need to do in order to save themselves and the ship. Jonah answers, throw me over board.

These sailors make another try to beat the storm. So it is when men strive to save themselves without God. Others siege upon this principle and say man can do nothing to save himself. Such reasoning is not in accord with scripture. Those on the day of Pentecost were convinced of their guilt in the death of Jesus (Acts 2:36). They wanted to know what to do. They were told to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins in the name of the Lord (verse 38). We then move to verse 40 of the chapter and the apostles continue to speak by saying to their audience save yourselves. We can save ourselves by being obedient to the Lord (Heb. 5:9; 1 Peter 1:22).

The sailors in Jonah knew they had no power to do this on their own. They therefore followed instructions and cast Jonah over board. Once they did the sea became calm, whereupon they offered sacrifice and made vows. Promising to serve God, followed by keeping that promise results in faith and the potential for the growth of faith. When the sailors did as Jonah told them to, the result was calm and peace.

The Bible then states that God prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. Those against God try to argue that no one could survive under those conditions. As the chapter closes let us remind ourselves that God prepared the fish and that God could preserve the life of Jonah for three days and nights (Jonah 1:17).

Jonah goes and warns Nineveh of a coming destruction from God (Jonah 3:4). Everyone from the king on down went the route of sackcloth, ashes and fasting. God seeing the change in their hearts would not destroy them at that time. Jonah leaves the city, goes out to the east side to see what would happenedJudging by his anger in chapter 4, Jonah wanted God to destroy these wicked people. God creates a gourd that arises and blocks the sun’s rays and helps to shade Jonah. God follows this by creating a worm that attacks the gourd and the gourd dies. God causes a strong wind from the east to bear down on Jonah’s head and he is about ready to die (Jonah 4:8). The point with God was that the gourd and worm did what He wanted them to do. Yet here in Nineveh was all these people who could not discern their right hand from their left. What are a few lessons to be learned from this event?

One is without the Word of God being revealed to us and understood by us, we cannot be saved. Faith comes by hearing (Rom. 10:17). That hearing is not the hearing of an audible sound but rather the idea of comprehension. If one comprehends what God wants them to do and they do it, then God is able to accept them. They have not saved themselves no more than Naaman cured himself of leprosy by doing God’s will. The gourd and the worm are lessons from us to reduce our pride and realize how many are lost and, therefore, how many need to be saved. We have both the word and ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18,19).

Because of technology we have more tools to enable us to do things faster. The problem that arises is that we can become so busy that we fail to see the simple beauty. Jesus spoke of the lilies of the field (Matt. 6:28) Sometimes because we are so busy we seldom take the time to notice the little flowers growing by the roadside. We travel down a road, and there is a little cross signifying where someone had died in a car wreck. There may be flowers all around but our attention is drawn to a little cross by the roadside.

Sometimes early in the morning on my back porch, I enjoy my cup of coffee as our part of the world begins to wake up. I watch and listen as the sounds of birds begins to fill the air. I have two plates on the ground where I feed the birds. The other morning a squirrel was enjoying the bird seed with his tail covering his head and back. The little birds kept diving at his hear as he quietly took care of eating “their food”. Two rabbits were chasing each other all over the yard. A look into the sky and see the movement of clouds as the wind does its work.

All of us can stop and see the simple things in life that remind us about life itself. The ultimate joy must be in realizing who caused the little things. God, the Creator and the sustainer of life demonstrates His care for our planet and deep love for us (Gen. 1;1; I Cor. 1:24; Matt. 6:30). It is vital to know all the creatures, big and small that are around us come from the laws that God put into motion. The creation of the Sabbath day was as much for reflection as it was for rest. Man pausing under the Mosaical law to cease from his work and think of God (Ex. 20:8-11).

It truly goes beyond just one day as we are reminded in the psalms. The Holy Spirit has David to write and tell us to stand in awe, that is of God and sin not (Psa. 4:4). The call in this verse was for the faithful Hebrew to commune with his own heart upon his own bed. It even follows to explain where this takes place. It would be as the child of God would pillow his head for sleep. The next words which follow are, “be still”. Do we go to bed at night with our minds filled with all the stress of the day compounded by the things which we dread about tomorrow? Jesus pulls our attention to this day and this day alone. He states, take no thought for the morrow (Matt. 6:34).

Several chapters later in the book of Psalms, the child of God was told to be still and know that God is. He who brings to our hearts and minds, the simple little things of life by which we are to appreciate all that God has done and is doing for us. The earlier passage (4:4) was about when the day’s activities were coming to end. This passage would look at the faithful one and tell him to be still, pause and know that the Lord is God. It is not that we ignore our schedules but rather from time to time to slow down and know where all the things come from which makes us so busy.

Later on in Psalms 76:8, the idea is the judgment of God was passed on humanity. The things man relied on for strength could not bring peace. God broke the arrow, bow, shield and sword (verse 3). The promise of the way things would be under Christ is seen as God’s children would learn war no more (Isa. 2:4). Their lives would be lived out under the rule of the Prince of Peace.

No matter how busy or successful we are or what great things we may achieve, there should always be in our hearts the willingness to be still and know what we have received from God (I Thess. 5:18). The sacrifice of our lips giving thanks to God should become a natural part of our spiritual existence (Heb. 13:15). Being still is not being idle, it is pausing, bowing our heads and thanking God for all He has given and is doing for us.

This past week a police officer was murdered in New York City. Those within the police department came out fairly quickly and pointed out that the office had done nothing to provoke the murder. As a general rule we have to hear about the murderer’s childhood, or some poor event in his life or as always mentally unstable. Let us pause and ask ourselves, who is to blame, who is guilty ? The people marching through our streets chanting, “pigs in a blanket” have no means to wash the blood from their hands. The murderer may have no connection to any group but the atmosphere is created for killing because someone seeks to justify hate.

Let us strive to get to the heart of the matter. John in speaking about Christians states that anyone who hates his brother is a murderer (I John 3:15). Living for the Lord daily requires us to be careful of our actions (I Thess. 5:22). As Christians we understand that being careful of our actions calls upon us to guard our thoughts. If I say to us, is adultery wrong before God? Of course it is. Watch now how Jesus works not on the action alone but the heart that causes the action. Jesus says that whoever continues to look on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery. Committed adultery, where? Answer, in his thoughts (Matt. 5:28). Is being drunk a sin? Then anything that leads to that sin becomes a view into one’s own heart.

Each of us can pass judgment on a murderer who for whatever reason kills another human. O, such a person is guilty. If we pose the question, who was guilty of putting Jesus to death on the cross? Certain Jews who were envious of Jesus could be an answer. What about the government of Rome which tolerated no kind of disturbance in their cities. The truth is each of us by our sins placed Jesus on the cross. John tells us that sin is a transgression of the law (I John 3:4). If you cannot have law then you cannot have sin. The person who gives up on their faith, never to come back is guilty of “…crucifying to themselves the Son of God afresh…” (Heb. 6:6).

Take for an example a person who is living a good life and would never think of stealing from or hurting their neighbor. He pays his bills, raises his children and is never a problem in the community. What about such a man? Until he finds the Lord through the teaching of the Word of God, he is guilty. Cornelius was a devout (religious) man, feared God with all of his house, gave much alms to others and prayed to God always. Yet an angel came to him and told him to send for Peter, who was at Joppa. When Peter comes he will tell you what you ought to do (Acts 10:2,6). Being morally good or accepted by society is never the standard when we stand before God (2 Cor. 5:10; John 12:48).

Paul had lived his whole life believing he was right with God (Acts 23:1). On that day on the road to Damascus he found out, he was not right. He had chosen to become a Pharisee which formed his thinking (Phil. 3:5). Concerning the righteousness which was available in the law of Moses, Paul said he was blameless ( verse 6). Pause and think, he was guilty before God. Jesus told him to continue his journey to Damascus and there it would be told him what he must do (Acts 9:6). Do you think Paul would be allowed in most churches today to give his testimony of what had happened to him. Let me answer that for you, absolutely not!

Murder is a horrible crime against society and one’s own soul. The Bible shows us that we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). Make no mistake about it, God will not acquit the wicked (Nahum 1:3). Those who preach hate are guilty for preaching that. They may not feel any guilt when someone takes them at their word and moves against others. Let us stand against all evil and watch daily our own souls that we be not guilty before God (James 1:25).

Israel goes into Assyrian captivity during the reign of Hoshea. His reign lasted for some nine years. The Bible in speaking about his leadership simply states, “…did that which was evil…”. Those nine years was the final “straw” which was broken concerning their connection to God. Even today, the casual reader of the scriptures might ask, “how could God allow this to happen?”. A short answer is found in these words. “They did not believe in the Lord their God” (2 Kings 17:14). Beginning in verse 7 there is a specific lists of sin such as idolatry and killing their own children in sacrifice to false gods.

A lesson to be learned from this is that there is a limit to the patience of God as to the conduct of His people. In Noah’s day the time limit set was 120 years (Gen. 6:3). When
God spoke to Abraham He spoke about the sins of the Amorites (Canaan and surrounding areas) would be full up in a 400 year period (Gen. 15:16). The nature of God is such that He does not want anyone to be lost (2 Peter 3:9). Yet in the same scriptures, the message is that God is not bound by time. To Him a day is as with a thousand year and a thousand years as a day (verse 8). Paul addressed a growing error in his day by saying that we do not sin in order to have more grace (Rom. 6:1,2).

Seeing this world will at some point be burned up, time will cease and eternity will begin. Knowing this each of us must be careful as to how we live our lives. As Peter writes, our lives should be lived in all holy conversation (manner of life) (2 Peter 3:11). Becoming a Christian by obeying the truth is no promise involved that we cannot lose our way as did Hymenaeus and Alexander (I Peter 1:22; I Tim. 1:19,20). If Israel who saw the great demonstrations of God’s power, mercy, love and at times rebuke, and they failed, then so can we. They, and we, can fail if we stop hearing God’s Word and harden our hearts (2 Kings 17:14).