Dear friend,
Formally, we all know that we should be doing good to people around us. This is because basically we also want good to be done to us as well. But, the problem is what one perceived as good may not be so to another. So in some crazy, wicked instances, you may have people who think that it is a good experience that they be tortured for some reasons. So, they go about torturing others with delight as they are prepared to be tortured by others for those same reasons. Recently we read of the "chess-board" serial killer who drank with his victims and later killed them when they were drunk. He must have thought that it was better for these useless, drunkard to be dead than alive! Man does not know what is truly good for himself. Each has his own idea about it and pursue it for himself. Subconsciously, he does the same to those around him, rightly or wrongly.
The life and work of Christ is an example of what is truly good for a human being, created after the image and likeness of God. In this world, He "also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." It is an error for Christians to try and avoid sufferings that come from the Lord. Generally, of course, it is true that, by instinct, the human nature or, for that matter, the nature of any other living being, would try to avoid suffering and death. Such instinct may mistakenly causes us to consider all sufferings as evils to be avoided. From experience we do know that the path to glory often involved some form of hardship and suffering. To avoid such suffering is to be robbed of such glory as well. "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:17) Such are sufferings that come from God, designed by Him for our sanctification. They are not to be avoided, but received humbly and thankfully.
The life and work of Christ is an example of what is truly good for a human being, created after the image and likeness of God. In this world, He "also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." It is an error for Christians to try and avoid sufferings that come from the Lord. Generally, of course, it is true that, by instinct, the human nature or, for that matter, the nature of any other living being, would try to avoid suffering and death. Such instinct may mistakenly causes us to consider all sufferings as evils to be avoided. From experience we do know that the path to glory often involved some form of hardship and suffering. To avoid such suffering is to be robbed of such glory as well. "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:17) Such are sufferings that come from God, designed by Him for our sanctification. They are not to be avoided, but received humbly and thankfully.
It is a sin to despise the ways of God with us. We must put aside such sin and pursue that which is good patiently. This is our Christian race designed by Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith. He had run that race ahead of us and finished it triumphantly. Now it is our turn to run the race. We have Him as our mentor. We see His glory at the right hand of God and are encouraged to be faithful and persevering in our race. Like Him, we learn to focus on the joy that was set before us as we run the race. We should not get distracted by the surrounding commotion, but concentrate of keeping the rule and finishing the race successfully.
What are the things we should always be thinking about, if they are not related to our Christian race? Where our treasure is there will our heart be also.
Do read the Holy Scriptures for yourselves in the free Daily Light on Daily Path for this day at http://soshine.blogspot.com/2007/09/daily-light-on-daily-path-november.html#Nov02M.
lck
