Unbearable Yoke

Acts 15:10-17

Disagreements amongst believers are never fun occasions, but how those disagreements are handled is what God focuses His attention on. The church should always handle matters with love, especially when seeking resolution during times of controversy. In our text, certain men were teaching that in order for the Gentile nations to be saved, they had to be circumcised after the manner of Moses. This group of Jewish Christians insisted that following the law was necessary for salvation. Notice, the law was only to act as a mirror, for man to see the error of his ways, and strive to live a holy life. Unfortunately, no man has ever kept all the law, so forcing the Gentiles to base their salvation on the law, was unfair.

During this discussion, the apostle Peter arose and added, “And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” Isn’t that something? Members of the Pharisees desired that the Gentile converts adhere to a standard they themselves were unable to keep. Men are now saved by grace, and the apostle Paul confirmed this in the book of Ephesians when he wrote, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast”.

Thankfully, the men gathered in discussion, used God’s Word to settle their disagreement, and gained a better understanding of what God expected from His people. When you encounter a situation where you and another believer express disagreements, be sure to use the Word of God as the standard, by which you seek to find resolution.

Keep your chin up… it’s easier to see Heaven that way,

Ell

“I’m Doing This Because I Love You…”

Zephaniah 3:1-7

Parents typically deal with the neighbor’s kids with love and respect, even in times of misunderstandings and misfortunes. This is because they prefer to maintain unity in their community, while choosing peaceful resolutions, over senseless bickering. On the other hand, parents deal with their own children according to a different standard.

The ideal situation is, where children obey their parents, in the Lord, because it’s right, but kids aren’t always that shining light they were raised to be. For this reason, chastisement is implemented, during moments when children stray too far from their home teachings. While executing harsh discipline hardly ever feels good to the parent or child, the purpose is to remind the young one of the importance of obedience, because failing to listen, and do as they are told, could lead to regrettable issues down the road.

Isn’t it amazing, how a child can be totally convinced, they know more than their parent? I saw a child once being scolded by his mother, and all he kept saying was, “I know, I know mom”. Well, if he knew, he wouldn’t have done what he did. This is the same issue God is having with His people. Those who are willingly ignorant of the truth, will receive their just reward, but the children of God who stray, will be chastised, until they turn away from those things that so easily beset them. God loves everyone, but is especially more strict with His own children. This is because, the Lord is fully aware of what’s soon to come in the earth, and He doesn’t want His people to be left in shame and misery.

Everyone has a choice to choose life, or death. After a moment of discipline, a child can choose to straighten up, and walk right, or turn back to those things that caused them to get in trouble. Children obey your parents, in the Lord, and Christians, obey the Lord, that it may be well with thee, and you will live a long prosperous life in the earth.

Keep your chin up… it’s easier to see Heaven that way,

Ell

Settle differences face to face

Matthew 18:15-20

One of the most critical moments the body of Christ experiences is, when members are at odds against each other, and resolution isn’t always guaranteed. We are to love God, keep His commandments, love our neighbors, and walk faithfully in our calling, but times will arise when believers will bump heads with each other, and need to quickly, and peacefully resolve their issue, before matters progress. There’s one thing the enemy takes great pleasure in, and that’s seeing God’s children fight and bicker with one another. Unity is key for the effective progression of the church, but when discord is sown, this can stunt growth in churches, thus causing members to scatter and possibly lose faith.

Jesus left an example in our text that shows how believers should handle personal conflicts, and settle disagreements. He said, if your brother, or anyone of the same faith, sin against you, it’s your right to go, and tell them their fault. This is to be done in private, and only between the two of you. News spreads fast, especially amongst the body of Christ, so God prefers to avoid exposing drama by keeping it suppressed to those involved. Jesus continued to teach, if your offender actually hears, and accepts that they messed up, then you’ve gained them, or settled your differences. If only this was the case in all disputes, then life would be much more peaceful. Unfortunately, not everyone is mature enough to own up to their mistakes, and in this case, Jesus advised us to bring one or two more people with us to confront our offender, so that in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word may be established. It’s so much easier to simply admit that you messed up, apologize, then move on, but some people prefer to be stiffnecked and harden their hearts for reasons unknown to me. If you truly love God, you’ll make honest efforts to seek peace, and pursue it in all your human interactions.

In the age of social media, it’s rare that men talk face to face to settle disagreements, because they would prefer to text, or use Facebook and Instagram, but real man talk things out, and accomplish more by being in each other’s presence, rather than hiding behind a cell phone. For those who refuse to “man up” to their error in the presence of two or three witnesses, Jesus instructed us to take things up with the entire church. How embarrassing is that, to have your business exposed to the whole church body, when you could have dealt with things in private? To make matters worse for the offender, if they chose not to hear the church, they were to be treated as heathens and publicans. In other words, the church was not to engage with any religious communion with him until he repented. After he repents, the church is to forgive him, and remember his sin no more.

As a believer, what methods do you take to settle differences among your brothers and sisters? Do you bicker and hold grudges against them when they offend you, or do you approach them in love, seeking only to bring peaceful resolution, so that the two of you can continue fighting the good fight?

Walk in love,

Ell

Solve conflicts one to one

Matthew 5:21-26

As a seasoned saint, can you honestly say that you get along with everyone in your walk of life? Can you quickly dissolve quarrels and arguments, without them turning violent, or are you the one who fuels the fire? Do you speak soft words to appease those who sometimes get angry? What steps do you take while engaging in conflict resolution? Christ’s theme in all His teachings was centered around love. Everything we do should be based on God’s love. In a world filled with sin and evil, Christians are the last ones you’d expect to get caught up in unnecessary quarrels amongst each other. We are to be a light to the world, and salt that flavors the earth. When believers fight against each other, they should be mature enough to solve their issues quickly. There’s no sin in being angry, but if that anger is left unchecked, it can quickly turn into jealousy and rage, that’ll eventually lead to disorderly behavior.

Jesus taught that we should make peace with our brothers and sisters, even before offering gifts to God. This proves that God cares more for unity in the body of Christ, rather than offerings and gifts. We are God’s people, and the sheep of His pasture. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). We weren’t saved, set free, and delivered from sin only to fight and bicker with our brother. We have work to do for God, that requires our full attention. There’s no time to waste arguing over futile matters, but believers should focus more on unity amongst the body, and witnessing to the lost souls that remain.

Walk in love,

Ell

Differences settled peacefully

Genesis 26:28-33

Seeking peace, and pursuing it with all men, always turns out good for you in the end. Oftentimes when someone is treated unfairly, they tend to hold a grudge against those who wronged them. But in loving our enemies, and those who treat us bad, the Bible says it’s like heaping coals of fire on their head, and the Lord will reward us for doing so. This means to cause a burning sense of humiliation for rewarding your enemy with good, for their evil. They’ll eventually begin to feel deep emotions of shame and discomfort, which are the first elements of true repentance.

After being sent away from his home in Gerar by King Abimelech for simply prospering in the land, Isaac moved on and established himself where his father once dwelt. While asleep one night, Isaac received a visit from the Lord who reassured him that He was still in control of the events of his life, and that He would bless Isaac for his father Abraham’s sake. So Isaac blessed God and built an altar in reverence of His holy name. In the midst of adjusting to his new place in life, Isaac received a surprise visit from the jealous king Abimelech, who brought a couple of his boys along with him. Isaac was puzzled concerning their visit, because he thought for sure the men hated him. But to his surprise, they came to make amends. Just as I mentioned at the beginning of this lesson, the king was overwhelmed with guilt and shame, because Isaac humbled himself, even when being treated unfairly. The average person would more than likely miss the opportunity to reconcile with their enemy by retaliating based on feelings of past hurt, but Isaac represented God in all his actions. Real love forgives, and moves on. It never holds past mistakes over a person’s head, but buries it in order to have a peaceful outcome.

In all situations you face in life, remember that you represent the God of all creation, and not yourself. Your decisions and reactions, even in unfair situations, should always be a representation of what Christ would do, if He were in your shoes. “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:44-45).

Seek peace,

Ell

Water issue resolved peacefully, peoples blessed

Genesis 26:6-22

In mathematics, formulas are often used when figuring out certain outcomes of specific numeric arrangements. No matter what numbers are used, if the right formula is applied, the results should always favor the formulas objective. For example, when multiplying numbers together, the expected outcome is that the result will yield an increased, unless multiplying one side of the equation by 1. In subtraction, you’d expect a decreased value from the combined numbers in the formula. Abraham lived by a certain formula that he passed down to his son Isaac called, faith and obedience to God. When using this formula, the expected outcome should always be a positive and edifying experience. This was very evident in the life and legacy of Abraham and his wife Sarah. Isaac applied this same formula to his life, and was beginning to see that the same God who blessed his father, was preparing to do the same in his life.

The more Isaac obeyed the voice of the Lord, the more God made him to prosper. Isaac lived amongst the Philistines, and was granted favor by king Abimelech while there. In no time, he sowed and yielded greatly, so much so until the same king who had once favored Isaac, politely kicked him out of their land for becoming exceedingly wealthy. Jealousy and envy can cause men to act in unpleasant manners. One would think a king would consider joining forces with a man of great wealth, but God knew that He didn’t want Isaac connecting with certain individuals who could potentially become problematic later. So Isaac left and set up camp in the valley of Gerar. This is the same land where his father Abraham had once dug wells, that were stopped up by the Philistines when Abraham died.

Isaac began to reopen the wells his father had dug. When he found water at the first well, he and his men were confronted by the herdsmen of the valley who took claim of his well. So he politely moved on to the next well, and began to dig. As they dug, they were met again by the annoying group of herdsman, who took claim of this well also. Have you ever worked diligently on something that someone else reaped the benefits of? That’s like going to work for months, but having your money go to someone else’s account. Hmm… that sounds familiar lol. Anyhoo, Isaac moved on to the third well his father once dug. He was fortunate to be blessed not to have confrontation from the herdsman at this well. He gave God thanks and said, “For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.”

We will have experiences in life when men will be jealous of our prosperity, but we must be careful not to respond in anger or offence. Instead, be like Isaac, who kept peace, and allowed God to bless him, even when others pushed him away. Don’t let your location limit what God can do in your life. Sometimes you have to lose so-called friends, so that God can release His blessings on you that you otherwise couldn’t enjoy while being connected to possible leeches. Think it not strange when you find yourself in valley moments. Just be sure to keep shining bright from that valley, and let God handle the rest.

Seek peace,

Ell