By their fruits, you will know them.

Brethren,

Are we each willing to become as the little children that the LORD spoke of in Matthew 18:3 when HE pointedly, said: Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the KINGDOM of HEAVEN.

Do we each want to be like children? And if so, what does a child know how to do, but believe the WORD of his father? Yes, and because he embraces his father's WORD through FAITH.

He also, does the will of his FATHER.

Consider this analogy,

On a certain occasion while preaching, a pastor was punched by a man. But just as Chris Rock, did, at the Oscar's, after being slapped, by Will Smith. The Pastor continued preaching, and the man who assaulted him, was later arrested. The pastor prayed for him, and even visited him in jail, a few days later.

Now what do you think of the Pastors response to insult and injury?

Do you believe that it's something that one can accomplish without being BORN from above?

In other words, without being empowered by the HOLY SPIRIT?

I mean, is that a response of a man, who does the will of the devil?

I don't see how! 🤔

Brethren,

While there is a place for self-defense, personal revenge was forbidden in the Old Testament, even as it is, in the New.

Leviticus 19:18 admonishes each of us, saying: “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall LOVE your neighbor as yourself.”

Isn't that how we are to LOVE one another?

As Brothers?

And even in Deuteronomy 32:35 the LORD, reminds us, saying: Vengeance is MINE, and recompense; their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand,

And the things to come hasten upon them.' For the LORD will judge HIS people

And have compassion on HIS servants,

When HE sees that their power is gone,

And there is no one remaining bond or free.

And so Brethren,

Because we've each been called to serve The LORD, our GOD, Malachi 3:18 reveals how we will each discern between the wicked and the RIGHTEOUS, by GOD, saying: Then you shall again discern between the RIGHTEOUS and the wicked; Between one who serves GOD and one who does not serve HIM.

And Hosea 4:6-10 makes it abundantly clear to everyone who refuses to embrace GOD'S WORD, and rejects having the knowledge of HIM, by revealing why we've each been entrusted with the GOSPEL to speak, not as pleasing men, but GOD Who tests our hearts, declaring: MY people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for ME; because you have forgotten the law of your GOD, I also will forget your children. The more they increased, the more they sinned against ME.

I will turn their GLORY into shame.

Brethren,

The LORD demands that we take our calling seriously. Yes seriously, and to give GLORY to HIS NAME!

For every BORN AGAIN child of GOD, is one who has been called as a Priest, to proclaim the praises of HIM Who called us out of darkness, and into HIS Marvelous LIGHT!

Consider how Malachi 2:2 presents our calling, by saying: ”And now, O priests, this commandment is for you.

If you will not hear,

And if you will not take it to heart, To give GLORY to MY NAME, says The LORD of hosts,

"I will send a curse upon you, And I will curse your Blessings.

Yes, I have cursed them already, Because you do not take it to heart.”

Brethren,

We take our calling to heart, and aim to LOVE our enemies, by not being judgemental towards them.

Mathew 5:38-45 has this to say to each of us: You have heard it said, An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow do not turn away.

Brethren,

We are to LOVE our fellow man, and not seek to harm anyone. For vengeance and violence, is also forbidden in The New Testament.

Why?

Because we serve a GOD of LOVE, Whose WORD became flesh, and descended from above. HE came, and lived a sinless LIFE among sinners.

So that we might embrace HIS WORD, and by our obedience. HE would make repentant sinners, winners!

Consider 1st Peter 3:8-12

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; LOVE as Brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous, not returning evil for evil, or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary Blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a Blessing.

For he who would LOVE LIFE and see good days,

Let him refrain his tongue from evil,

And his lips from speaking deciet. Let him turn away from evil and do good;

Let him seek peace and pursue it. For The Eye's of The LORD are on the RIGHTEOUS, and HIS Ears are open to their prayers;

But The FACE of The LORD is against those who do evil.

But Why?

Because GOD is serious about sin, and HE assures us through Romans 6:23 that the wages of sin is death!

And through Philippians 3:13-16 we are each admonished by GOD, through the apostle Paul, by reading: Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the UPWARD CALL of GOD in CHRIST JESUS.

Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if anything you think otherwise,

GOD will reveal even this to you.

Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained. Let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

Brethren,

Join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk of Whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping crying that they are the enemies of the Cross of CHRIST.

But Why are they the enemies of the Cross of CHRIST?

Because they won't carry it!

Right!

They won't Take up there Cross, and carry it! And the GOOD NEWS of the RISEN CHRIST, they keep it inside and simply bury it!

But not us!

JESUS

OK

Matt. ; The Old Testament law exacted an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. (; ), which ensured that judicial punishment was not unjust or malicious. But there was a larger principle looming when it came to personal revenge: Justice must be done, but it must be left in the hands of God or the authorities ordained by God. Instead of returning injury and insult, may we live by Christ-honoring and Spirit-empowered alternatives: Live at peace with everyone (), submit to a spiritual mediator (), and leave it in the hands of authorities and, most of all, in God’s hands