Corona Devo 2019

What do we do when the world steps on our toes?

How do we react when those who don't know God push those of who do know Him around?  

When emotions are high and injustices occur...what are we going to do about it?

And I feel like the world often gets right up in our face and SHOUTS: "What are YOU going to do about it?"

And the weight of our option-of-reaction hangs in the air like 100% humidity.  

What ARE we going to do about the unfairness/pain/lies/injustices/idols/and wickedness of today?

They literally and figuratively punch us...whip us...beat us...and kill us.

What are YOU going to do about it?  

What are you going to DO about it?   

Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. (12) Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.  ~I Peter 2:11-12

These were my next-to-be-read Bible verses when I opened the Bible today.

Do they fit for you?  

They sure fit for me, because I was just contemplating how to respond to the worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.  

And, if I'm honest, my first inclination is not to keep away from my worldly desires that my heart and mind feel when I have been disrespected, hurt , or shattered.  

No--my gut-reaction to unfairness and wickedness would be retaliation and vindication.  That's how my flesh feels.  

But (Brothers and Sisters in Christ), we are not of the flesh (or of this world) any longer, are we?  

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 

(10) But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. (11) And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.  

(12) Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. (13) For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. 

(14) For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ~Romans 8:9-14

~~~

What are we going to DO about it today?  

The Bible reminds and restrains us today.  We (God reminds us) are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit (Romans 8:9).  

We must remember today (in order to stay sane) that this (wicked, broken, twisted) world is not our home.  If we know and love God, then Heaven is our (looking-forward-to) home, and in the meantime, we are merely “temporary residents and foreigners” here on earth. 

Don't we know it.

The vile and wicked behavior that presents itself and even prevails...is not acceptable to the children of God (Romans 8:14).  But in terms of retaliation...what are we going to DO about it?

Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.  ~I Peter 2:12

If you say so, Lord.

~~~

If you do so, Lord. 

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.  (8) By oppression and judgment he was taken away.  Yet who of his generation protested?  For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished.  (9) He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.  ~Isaiah 53:7-9

The consequence that sin and evil bring...will come, but it will be in God's time and at His hand...not ours. 

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  ~Romans 12:19

~~~

What are we going to do about the unfairness/pain/lies/injustices/idols/and wickedness of today?

What are we going to do about it?  

Well, if we wanted to get God's advice on the matter, we would read His Word, the Bible.  And the next verses in His Word today are these:

Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. (12) Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.  ~I Peter 2:11-12

I guess that's what we are going to do about it: We are going to be careful to live properly among our unbelieving neighbors. 

Why?  

Because then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.  

What are we going to do about it?  

We are going to behave in ways that will give honor to God.

Blessings, 

Sarah 

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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