Whatsoever You Do...........

A question was once posed to me wherein the inquisitive person asked; “If you had just one scripture verse or particular theme to lean on and conduct your life accordingly, what would it be?”

So I answered a question with a question. Suppose there was a person you were acquainted with, be it a friend or relative, and that individual suddenly had a change of heart towards you; belittling you, fighting with your decisions, and perhaps more demeaning accusing you of something you weren’t guilty of. Would your opinion of that person’s integrity change, especially after such a long relationship with him?

Now, let’s add another scenario where that person, maybe after a long period of time had passed, fell into one or more deep depressing situations, maybe even going broke or any number of bad things that became for him a disastrous existence. Remember, this person did quite a few things to harass you, lower your standing with others, and even denouncing the relationship the two of you had built together. You might need to think on this, even if he didn’t seek your forgiveness.

How do we categorize the bad things done to us, especially from the hands of a friend. We might use the old cliche; with friends like this who needs enemies?

Go back in history nearly 2,000 years, to a hill known as Golgotha! This man was to be crucified for doing nothing. His only judgement was our sins. Each one of us are like the scenario above, a friend, a confidant, a lover; then for some reason sin entered into our persona and like the once friend we did everything to demean this godly man; who is God himself, who became the thrust of accusations, pain, and death-death on a cross. Jesus Christ went to His death just for you and me.

When we were sick or in jail, Jesus came to us through someone. When we were hungry, naked, thirsty, and alone, Jesus came to us in the person of a friend. When we were in need of love Jesus came to us in the instant of fulfillment as another one who cared.

My answer to the inquisitive person; the single most emphatic and poignant verse is Matthew’s “The Judgement of the Nations”. No where else is the teaching of Jesus as profound as this section. It is endearing, straightforward, and compelling, and final in it’s message.

written June 30, 2016