There is a way which seemeth right
unto a man,
but the end thereof are the ways of
DEATH.
Proverbs 14:12
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of GOD, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:2-5
We are told by James to ask for wisdom. We are not told to ask for strength here, nor even patience. As one Brother shared on the LORD'S Day, "Love keeps us faithful to HIM+ ."
During the recent 9/11 remembrances, let us ask: who... or what... are we lifting up?
Are we lamenting the loss of lives? That is acceptable sorrow.
Are we lamenting the fact that likely most who lost their lives so abruptly did not follow the LORD JESUS CHRIST, as they went to their eternal abode ? Now that is only the sorrow that Christians can carry.
Are we vowing to fight terrorism? Regardless of who we think is to blame ... those of Ben Laden's camp or those of Hunt-the-Boeing camp...
IS FIGHTING TERRORISM THE ARENA for CHRISTIANS ?
.
Confused?
.
Then let us UN-confuse ourselves and check out the Word of Truth, as found in Romans 12:19-21...
.
Dearly Beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, VENGEANCE IS MINE; I WILL REPAY, saith The LORD.
.
Therefore,
if thine enemy hunger, feed him;
if he thirst, give him drink:
.
for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
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Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
.
Yes, this does sound familiar... the teachings of The LORD JESUS CHRIST and the living out of HIS+ Life, being our example... shows us that there is no conflict with the WORD of GOD... by leaving vengeance in HIS+ very, very capable Hands.
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Fighting against terrorists (political or military) is NOT the realm nor calling of the Christian.
.
For, what does it profit to slay the un-regenerated ?
.
The world would never sorrow over the death of the unsaved... but we who follow CHRIST JESUS do. Therefore, we do NOT pick up the sword but rather we pick up our cross and die daily to our Selves.
.
In order to be ascetic? NO.
.
But rather, in order to share the GOOD NEWS that CHRIST JESUS came to save sinners from death, hell, and the power of the grave.
.
We practice denying our flesh in order to have the life of CHRIST living unhindered by our flesh... in order to share the GOOD NEWS that CHRIST JESUS came to save sinners... of whom I am chief!
.
So, if HE+ cleansed me from sin,
HE+ can cleanse anybody...
.
including those in the enemy camp.
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Thus, instead of wasting our energies doing what the worldlings do on 9/11, let us Christians spend that time in our prayer closets, wearing out the skin on our knees.
.
Let us beseech the LORD GOD of the HEAVENLY ARMIES to smite the wicked spirits and put those wicked spirits to flight... those wicked creatures who stir up men to shed blood and produce hate.
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In so doing, those wicked spirits accomplish 2 things:
.
One is they plummet hundreds of people prematurely into HELL, cutting off all chance of them coming to The LORD JESUS CHRIST.
.
Secondly, the wicked spirits stir up human hatred and revenge amongst the Christians and urge them to pick up the sword, avenging in righteous indignation, and drop the cross... and transgress against our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST... Who+ desires that all men, everywhere, be saved.
.
Who... or what... are we Christians lifting up?
.
Yes, in these days of "national emergencies," let us learn to be more FAITHFUL to OUR KINGDOM, which is in Heaven than to the flag of whatever nation we sojourn in.
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Let us learn to lift up The LORD JESUS CHRIST... not simply to comfort the victims but also to batter the Kingdom of darkness with prayers for Truth to be victorious and salvation for
.
the dreadfully unregenerated ones...
.
for a dreadful eternity in HELL awaits them.
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There is a way that seemeth right unto a man,
but the end thereof are the ways of DEATH.
.
In the name of The FATHER, Who created thee,
And His SON+, The LORD JESUS CHRIST, Who+ saves thee,
And the Blessed HOLY SPIRIT, Who sanctifies thee.
Amen.
+ + +
