God’s ways don’t usually make sense to the carnal man, who walks in a different way from His path. He is the King of an upside-down kingdom which goes contrary to the wisdom of the world.
But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. James 3:14-17
The wisdom of the world tells us to seek our own good even if there is a little deception and manipulation involved so that we can have our own way. But this is not of God. God’s wisdom prefers the other and will even submit to keep the peace, and it always seeks God’s truth. We often don’t understand that what we consider a little lie is of Satan, the father of lies. Jesus is truth and the Spirit of truth was sent to guide us into all truth.
“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:15-17
The world does not like God’s truth which makes no sense to the natural man who will usually want revenge and will not think of blessing his enemy. Most people will seek to be among the influential in society and probably won’t feed their enemy and may be even happy if their enemy is hungry. But that is not God’s way.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Roman 12:14-21
The Bible tells us that we should overcome evil with good that means we must do good to those who do evil against us. This really does not make sense. Why would we even think of doing that? I would probably want to stay away from someone who does bad to me, but the Word of God tells me to go and do good to them. If we were all to practice this, we would have a lot less wars these days. The Scriptures also tells us not to worry about our needs and what will happen tomorrow, but to pursue God’s kingdom first.
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:31-34
God desires that we seek His upside-down kingdom first along with His righteousness and then we can trust that He will take care of our needs. I believe when we worry and we do things in our strength, God grieves as what we demonstrate through our actions and thoughts is that we truly don’t trust Him. I am grieved when I think about how many times I have shown God that I do not trust Him by worrying and going ahead of Him to try and figure things out myself without waiting on His directions. Although, God has proven His faithfulness to me over and over again, I often give in to worry and fear, both of which He has commanded us not to do. However, it is difficult for me to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus instead of trying to fix things when everything around seems to be shaking and uncertain, especially when all the voices around say, “do something” while God says to wait patiently on Him and trust Him. It is different from the world’s advice, but that’s why God reigns over an upside-down kingdom.
Comentarios