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Today is Monday July 26, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Proverbs, chapters 23-26. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-july-26

Today's Message: Showing Kindness

As Christians we are taught to love those who hate us, be kind to those who deceive us, and take care of those who hurt us. At the same time we are also taught to separate ourselves from those who are wicked. So, how are we to show kindness to one another, especially when someone has wronged us, yet remain separated from the wicked, even if they are in our own house? Jesus Christ. Jesus is the key to everything and as long as we allow Him to guide us we can learn to love those who hate us, be kind to those who deceive us, and take care of those who hurt us yet, remain separated from the wicked. Perhaps one of the most difficult tasks of being a Christian is forgiving someone who has wronged you or a loved one, especially if a child was involved. However, forgiveness is the first step to recovery and showing kindness to those whom have wronged you. “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” - Mark 11:25,26. While some sins are an abomination to God, we have all sinned and need to seek forgiveness from God. If we want our sins to be forgiven we must forgive those who hurt us. I understand how hard it can be to forgive some people, but we will never see peace if we do not forgive others. God will take care of it, we just need to trust Him. The most important thing to learn is that we do need to separate ourselves from wicked people. We can show kindness to wicked people without allowing them to get involved in our lives, even if they are family. Sound confusing? Well, read on and hopefully by the end of the message it will become clearer.

Okay, so how do good people get mixed up with wicked people anyway? The number one reason is that Christ is not in their lives, millions of people claim to be a Christian, yet never stepped foot in a church or even know who Jesus is. Jesus is God's Word in the flesh, so, if one does not know Christ, one does not know God's Word. We need Christ in our lives to be able to discern the good from the wicked.“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” - Hebrews 4:12. The heart longs to be loved and if it's first love is not Christ it will fall for the people who show it love first, even if it is deceptive. Wicked people love to take advantage of good hearted people and will do anything in their means to get what they want from them. “When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat. Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.” - Proverbs 23:1-7. We are not to receive gifts from the wicked, they are only using them to deceive us. Wicked people tempt good people with everything money can buy, but in reality it is all deceptive and used to lure one to fall for their deception. Once they lure them in they can literally destroy a person. The world is full of deception, and once again, if we do not have Christ in our lives it is much easier to fall for the deception. We must not let ourselves be tempted by or desire what the people of the world enjoy nor accept what they have to offer.

Amazingly, our judgment becomes impaired when we allow ourselves to dwell with the wicked. When I was with what I thought was the man of my dreams, deep down I knew I was headed for danger when I allowed some things in our relationship, but I allowed them against my better judgment and of course, I was the one that suffered for it. However, we can learn from impaired judgment, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked: For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.” - Proverbs 24:16-20. Good people might fall from time to time, but they get back up and learn from their mistakes. On the other hand wicked people never learn, but in the end they will fall and not get back up.

Another reason good people get mixed up with wicked people is that one (especially a Christian) can be too trusting in thinking that every person has some good in him. The reality is, there are some people in this world that are born wicked and will remain wicked all their lives. Satan has kids too and they are the most deceptive of all God's creation. Jesus Said, “If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.” - John 8:42-45. Some people in the world are just plain wicked and will never change so it is best to avoid them at all costs.

Which brings to mind that sometimes a person is just born into a wicked family. While there is nothing we can do about what family we are born into there is something we can do to keep ourselves from doing what they do. We need to keep walking in the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” - Galatians 5:22-26. Walking in the Spirit guards us from any wickedness that we are around. Plus it gives us faith and confidence in God, allowing us to be kind to them even though they are wicked. Besides God will take care of it, He will either find the goodness in the person or people or he will separate them from you. My father was a womanizer, he cheated on my mother and had kids with another woman. She divorced him and he disappeared out of our lives the whole time we were growing up. I use to think I was missing something by not having my father in my life, but after I moved in with him and his other kids I learned that God took him out of our lives so we would not end up like my half brothers, who are living wicked, sinful lives. While God does not condone divorce I do believe that He allows it under some circumstances, most of all adultery. He will always take care of His children, we may not understand the reason why He allows some things or people in our lives, but He is always there and working in our lives. We need not seek vengeance, just Jesus and He will take care of the rest. “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. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” - Romans 12:19-21. The more kindness we show, especially to those who betrayed us, the more we are blessed, and they will suffer more that we ever did.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and have a great week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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