“…not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead.” (1 Peter 3:9)

This includes over the internet.  Don’t take the troll bait.

Type better.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.” (1 Peter 2:18)

            It isn’t reasonable that you should be slandered for choosing to be a stay-at-home mom – but we don’t live in a reasonable world.

            It isn’t reasonable that you should miss out on a promotion because you won’t go out with the boss for drinks after work – but we don’t live in a reasonable world.

            It isn’t reasonable that being pro-life should mark you as being controlling and hateful – but we don’t live in a reasonable world.

            In an unreasonable world, you will drive yourself crazy trying to understand the reason behind the vitriol.  There is no logic to sin.  It deceives, it deludes, and then it destroys.  Living a Christ-like life in the face of unreasonable behavior is the definition of faith in Jesus.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you…” (1 Peter 1:4)

            Ever see a beautiful landscape defiled by a cell tower sticking up like a broken twig? Or a perfect meal spoiled by a single hair in the soup?  There are many moments in life which are almost perfect, but this land that “is in the power of the evil one” (see 1 John 5:19) has a way of defiling these perfect things.

            Friendships defiled by gossip.  Marriages defiled by selfishness.  Families defiled by rebellion.  Joy defiled by grief.  Righteousness defiled by sin.  This is the tainted world we live in.  Every positive faces the reality of the negative.  It seems we are always waiting for the other shoe to drop and spoil the moment.

            In Jesus, we wait for an undefiled inheritance where the joy never perishes, and the only thing that fades away are the tears.  There is a reservation waiting for you.  Jesus is calling.  Christians, the best is yet to come.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.” (3 John 3)

            Did you know that the Bible talks about ‘your truth’?  The Bible was talking about your truth and my truth long before it was pop-culture-cool to do so.  Of course, the evil one has twisted the term ‘your truth’ to now mean that whatever you want to be truth is acceptable.  That’s rubbish and another example of the wicked and devious ways of the serpent.

            How does the Bible use the term ‘your truth’?  In writing to Gaius, John describes “your truth” as the degree to which Gaius’ lifestyle had oriented itself towards truth.  Do you live as one walking in truth? Are lies and deceit far from you? Do you pursue truth in your dealings with men and with God? Do you treasure it and keep to the truth even when it costs you to do so?  Do you accept the truth even when it requires repentance and correction of yourself.  Gaius did.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.” (2 John 8)

            Pay close attention to the pronouns of this verse – John is asking the saints to watch their behavior because of what “we” had done for them.  That we included John, likely other apostles, and myriad other saints (maybe even angelic hosts) who had poured their efforts into the beloved Christians to whom John was writing.

            There has been a lot of effort put into you.  From other Christians, to angels with servant hearts, to Jesus Christ Himself… many loving and devoted hands have toiled on your behalf that your soul might flourish, and you may attain your reward.  We stand on the shoulders of others who have bent their backs to lift us.

            You matter – live like it.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3)

            Burdens must be carried; joys are gratefully attended to.  A trip to run errands brings slowly shuffling feet and muttered assent from children.  A trip to the zoo leads to a mad scramble for shoes and joyous cheers as they pile into the vehicle.  Agreement to do a thing is not the same as rejoicing to do a thing.

            We cannot simply keep God’s commands and say we love Him… we must keep them and strive to treat those commands as a joy and not a burden.  Cheerful giving triumphs over mumbled obedience.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)

            There is something tantalizingly about trying food from another country.  Indian, Irish, Thai, Iranian, Pakistani, Italian, or Chinese… to try the food of a nation is to get a little taste of who they are and their culture.  The smells, the ingredients, the tastes: they all connect you to a new world – or if a native far from home, a meal from your nation of origin can transport you across foreign fields to your mother’s kitchen.

            Love is the food of heaven.  It is straight from the table of God.  To love others, to radically love those who neither deserve it nor, at times, even want it is to eat a meal from your Father’s table.  When we love one another, we learn something about God, and we come to know Him better.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“We know that when He appears, we will be like Him because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3)

An invitation to a dinner party often comes with the need to anticipate the dress code.  How formal is too formal?  How casual is too casual?  You do your best to guess, but without specific instructions, you don’t entirely know how well you chose your adornment until the front door is opened and you are greeted by the host.  Their attire either confirms or refutes your clothing choices.

Someday, we will all meet Jesus and see Him as He really is.  When the gates of heaven are opened, and He descends from on high, we will see the glorified King… and with the anticipation of that meeting, those who hope for that day, purify themselves.  It’s a meeting with the King; I wish for my soul to be dressed in its finest.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake.” (1 John 2:12)

God doesn’t forgive you because of you.  He forgives you because of Him.  If you are wondering how God could forgive such a sinner as you, chances are, you are fixating on the depths of your sin.

Forgiveness never makes sense when you look at the sinner – all the sinner shows you is concentric layers of shame and evil.  Forgiveness is about the grandness of the Redeemer.  Look at Jesus, and only then will forgiveness make any sense.  He forgave you for His name’s sake, not for yours.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.” (1 John 1:4)

Why did John write to the Christians?  When they obeyed God, which could only be done through reading the New Testament writings (see Romans 10:17), it brought John joy.

There is joy in teaching others.  When we live lives with teachers’ hearts, all whom we teach are presented an opportunity to find joy as we watch them learn.  Teach your children of the Lord, and their faith brings you joy.  Teach your neighbor about Jesus, and their opened eyes becomes a wellspring of jubilation in your heart.  When you share the faith and don’t just keep it, there is a whole new level of triumphant delight you will discover.

Say the things that matter.  Complete your joy.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites