JC Blog

God never intended for us to know about evil. In the beginning He made the universe, the world, all living things and mankind. Then He called it good. Evil, sin and corruption never entered the picture until Eve was deceived by Satan. He used her curiosity about evil to trick her into thinking she would be better off if she knew what evil was. The result was disastrous for mankind. As Adam and Eve partook in the tree that God commanded them not to eat of, their eyes were open to the knowledge of good and evil. The rest is history, the result was the universe and everything within it had a working knowledge that both good and evil existed, and we were not the better for it.

In today's passage Paul is giving a wonderful key to living the Christian life. We are to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. He is saying the best defense against sin and corruption is a good offense. We are to be wise and knowledgeable about what is good. Meaning we should know good and live that way. In the same way we are to be innocent or guileless to evil. In other words, we should stay away from it, having nothing to do with it.

We live our lives out of the convictions of our heart. Proverbs 23:7 says, "For as he (man) thinketh in his heart, so is he" meaning that what you do and say comes from the true thoughts and philosophies rooted and established in your heart and thought process. When it comes down to it, whatever you value and believe is how you will act. To benefit from this truth, we are to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil. We cannot be tempted with things we don't think, dwell on or know about. Therefore, don't think about evil things, or go looking for them. Rather be innocent concerning them, and then you will not struggle with those things.

The counter to this is to think about good, plant it in your heart and it will become evident in your lives as your mind renews to those things. The question becomes, what is the good that we should be thinking on? Paul said in Colossians, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God" ( Colossians 3:1-3 ). This is the key to amazing transformation in Christ. Merely think on the things of God and be consumed with them and they will overflow in the way you live your life.

Paul is giving great instruction for us today. So much evil exists in this world, but we can be confident in this truth that Jesus spoke over two thousand years ago, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." ( John 16:33 ). Knowing the goodness of God brings us peace and crushes Satan and the evil that means to destroy us. Jesus has overcome and through faith in Him, we too have overcome. Being wise to what is good will expedite this victory in your daily live.

If anybody could write this encouraging word to us, it would be the Apostle Paul. Paul had such a revelation of grace that he was convinced that nothing could separate us from God's love. He saw it in all things and experienced it in every situation. That is why he wrote to us to tell us that God is the one who justifies us, Jesus is the one who intercedes for us, so base upon this, nothing could remove us from this position of favor and blessings with the Lord.

Circumstances in life certainly could not separate him from the love of God. Paul had the most revelation of any of the Apostles. Even over those who walked and talked with Jesus and yet he faced the most persecution and opposition because of it. Everywhere he went his revelation of the Lord caused such a stir because a massager of Satan followed him from place to place to buffet him ( II Corinthians 12:7 ). He knew the power of God and the love of God and it kept him going in the face of such resistance. He even wrote concerning this, "I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me" ( II Corinthians 12:9 ). He knew the secret to strength, that was resting in the Lord and in his might power. He went on to say, "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" ( II Corinthians 12:10 ).

Paul quoted the Old Testament scripture from Psalm 44 in regards to the persecution he faced. "Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered" ( Psalm 44:22 ). This is because Paul and his companions literally faced death in every town they went to. They were beat, imprisoned and even stoned for the sake of Christ. Yet he said it was for our sake they faced such things so that we could understand God's love for us. He wanted the world to know the truth that is in Christ Jesus. Because of this severe opposition to the message, he encourages us that nothing can separate us from this love, not trouble, not hardship, not persecution, not famine, not nakedness and certainly not danger or sword.

In today's society, we do not face any of these things on behalf of Christ. However many of our brothers and sister through out the world do on a daily basis. Yet a time is coming when even in America we will face persecution and death because we are believers. Through all of this, it is so important to sure ourselves up in the Love of God. To be fully convinced that nothing we face in life can separate us from God. Nothing man can do to us can nullify what Christ has already done for us. As born again believers we must get a revelation of God's love for us so that we can join with those who went before us fully convinced that we will forever belong to the Lord and nothing will change that. Getting this eternal perspective in life will change how we live and breath today. May the Lord quicken to your spirit this wonderful truth, amen.

It is interesting that Paul reminds us to bless those who persecute us. This is completely opposite of what our our human response tends to be in such circumstances. A normal reaction would be striking back to defend ourselves. But Paul warns us not to curse but bless instead. The Bible gives us good reason to have this perspective and knowing these truths will protect your heart from the persecution that will come your way.

First of all when we are slandered or persecuted it is because we bear the name of Christ. Peter wrote to the church, "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you" ( I Peter 4:12-14 ). Persecution is a sign that you are born again. Jesus told us that we would have trouble in this world ( John 16:33 ) and that people would hate us just as the world hated him ( John 15:18 ). But in all of these things we are to rejoice because we bear the name of Christ and the glory of God is evident in our lives. Peter went on to say, "However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name" ( I Peter 4:17 ).

Secondly, when we are persecuted we must remind ourselves of the true reason behind it. Jesus told the disciples in the parable of the sower of the seed that persecution comes because of the word ( Matthew 13:21, Luke 8:13, Mark 4:17 ). The word of God is so powerful that planting it in the soil of our heart will forever change our lives and yield much fruit. If the devil can stomp out the word of God by stealing it before it gets planted or by persecution, he will render us ineffective for the kingdom of God. This is why when persecution comes it is important to remember that it is because of Christ and His word, not us, so we can move past it and keep an eternal perspective protecting our heart and the word planted at the same time.

Lastly, it is important to remember when persecuted that we are called to be a blessing. This is why we bless and not curse. Jesus spoke extensively about this. He was always reminding the disciples to serve one another, to consider each other more highly than themselves, to turn the other cheek when wronged. These actions were evidence of the new birth and nature. In the same way to curse those who persecute us would be to go against the nature of God living inside us. Isaiah 53 told us that Jesus did not curse or defend himself when standing accused before Pilate, "as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth" ( Isaiah 53:7 ). Jesus could have annihilated every one of his accusers by speaking and defending himself, yet he remained silent on our behalf. Isaiah went on to say, "nor was any deceit in his mouth" ( Isaiah 53:9b ). He did not curse those who brought such agony on him but remained silent so that He could fulfill the purpose for which he came. He became a curse for us so that we could receive blessing ( Galatians 3:13-14 ). Following His example we are to bless those who persecute us. Remember; it is on the account of Christ.

Today, I pray that this truth penetrates your heart and gives you a new outlook on persecution. Keeping this perspective in mind will get you through any trouble that comes your way on the account of Christ and His word. Blessed are you because you bear His name.

Has a passage of scripture ever knocked you over the head as if it were a baseball bat? Recently in my Monday night small group I stumbled over this passage as we were discussing the strengths and weaknesses of Peter while reading the book "Twelve Ordinary Men" and since then, this verse has given me many moments of reflection.

In this passage, Jesus is telling Simon Peter that he is about to go through some intense testing at the request of Satan. The Disciples are reclining at the table partaking in the Last Supper. They had been arguing over which one of them would be the greatest and the Lord turns to Peter and tells him that Satan has specifically asked His permission to shake him to the very core.

Satan was very explicit as to what his intent with Peter was. He asked Jesus for permission to sift him as wheat. This is the process of tossing wheat into the air so that the chaff would blow away with the wind. I can imagine that this process is somewhat taxing on the fragile wheat, but it is a necessary procedure to get rid of the unwanted portions that were of no use leaving the wheat in pure form.

What I find the most interesting is that Jesus gives Satan the permission he seeks but reassures Peter in the process that He would be praying for him through this testing. Then, He reassures him that he would survive the testing and lastly, He reassures him that when it was over he would strengthen his fellow disciples, and live up to the nickname Jesus had given him… Rock.

How thankful I am that Jesus prayed for Peter during these trials. This testing brought forth the most devastating event in Peter's life, denying any association with Jesus during His trial and crucifixion. But because Jesus had prayed for Peter these events were soon followed by one of his most glorious victories… preaching on the day of Pentecost when over three thousand people came to the Lord.

I am reminded now, that in our own church family we have been going through some intense testing… physically, mentally and spiritually. When we ourselves struggle it is easy to seek counsel and prayer from our beloved Pastors, but what happens when they go through it.

Because of Jesus, we have the privilege to intercede to the Father on their behalf? Have you placed enough importance praying daily for them? Do you pray for God to bless them financially, relationally and spiritually? Do you pray for the wisdom to lead this church? Do you pray for an understanding of the Bible and an ability to preach these truths fearlessly? Do you pray for protection from temptation? Do you pray for compassion for the lost and passion to serve the Lord faithfully? Do you pray for their children?

Did you know that our Pastors will give an account to the Lord on our behalf because God has entrusted them with His most precious possessions… The church and each one of it's members. Today, I challenge you to make a habit of praying for your pastors.Then watch how God blesses them and the church through your faithful prayers.