Have you ever noticed that sometimes the sin of others become our sin? It generally happens so slowly that we aren’t even aware of it. For example– when someone ignores, neglects, or abuses you in some way you tend to respond in kind. While it’s easy to be nice to those who are nice to you, it’s a whole different ball-game when it comes to those who snub you. They don’t speak and so you don’t either. They say something hurtful, so you hurl an insult back at them. They forget your birthday, so you don’t waste a stamp sending them a card. Whether you realize it or not you are living by the code of “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”.

Sadly this kind of stuff goes on all the time. Some how we feel justified in treating others as, or worse than, they treat us. Thus, their sin becomes our sin. We do just the opposite of what Christ does to us and demands from us (Matt. 5:43-44). We condone in ourselves what we condemn in others–as though we are better than them.

This is a very real danger that we face. Regardless of how hard we try there will always be those who mistreat us, and it’s difficult to resist the temptation to return evil for evil. If we would simply remember that we will reap what we sow it will help us to be more careful. If we would remember these three things it help us avoid falling into this trap. Returning evil for evil is–
— disobedience to Christ and affects our fellowship with Him.
— destructive to our testimony and relationship with others.
— detrimental to our well-being–we make ourselves miserable.
If you don’t see danger in all of this something is seriously wrong with your outlook on life. Sin always has consequences. Although we might be forgiven, sin often does things that can’t be undone.

We need the attitude of Joseph when he said to his wicked brothers, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good,…“(Gen. 50:20). If we respond as we should God will make something good out of the bad. Naturally, as you should know, this is not something we can do on our own. Loving our enemies is more than the arm of flesh can accomplish. But, through Christ we can do all things (Phil. 4:13). The Spirit of God enables us to do anything the Word of God commands us to do.

If I say, as the Bible affirms, that “Jesus satisfies the longings of the soul” nearly every professing Christian would agree. Why then are there so many dissatisfied Christians? Is our claim not true? Or do we mean that He just satisfies under special circumstances? What’s the truth– does He or doesn’t He?

Of all the books in the Bible one of the most precious, interesting, and helpful to me is the little letter to the Philippians. Chapter by chapter, it tells us how we can have joy in spite of circumstances, people, things, and worry. Hardly a day ever goes by without me thinking of some verse in this great book. In the last chapter alone, Paul speaks of “Rejoicing in the Lord alway”(4:4); being “careful for nothing“(4:6); “the peace of God which passeth all understanding“(4:7); being content “in whatsoever state I am“(4:11); and being able to “do all things through Christ”(4:13). Is that not amazing? And it is all the more so when you consider his circumstances! He was in prison–hated, despised, forsaken, weary, and lonely. Yet through it all he could say these things.

How do you explain a man like that? Why does he succeed where we fail? What sets him apart from others? I believe the answer is found in Phil. 1:21 where he says, “for to me to live is Christ…”. No day goes by without me thinking of this statement. The import of it goes far beyond what most people imagine. Everything about Paul was Christ-centered, and that made the difference in everything! It will make a difference in your life as well.

If I could sum up my deepest desire, greatest aspiration, and most passionate pursuit it would be with these words–“For to me to live is Christ..”. As someone said, “This is a key verse in this epistle. In fact it should be a “key verse” in the life of every saint. This should be our watchword”. If “to live” is anything other than Christ you are living for the wrong thing. As an old song says, “He is my reason for living… He is my everything”

“…Be not afraid , only believe .” Mark 5:36

That is take God at His word. Give Him credit for meaning what He says, for being faithful to His own word; and then what will become of your fears? God speaks to you in language which you can understand; He promises all you can possibly need; He bids you put Him in remembrance, and plead with Him; and He pledges His character for the comfort of your heart. If you believe not, you make God a liar; you bring darkness on your own soul; you give Satan an occasion against you; and a thousand fears, doubts, and suspicions distress you. Is it any wonder? Can you offer a greater insult to God than deliberately to disbelieve His word? But you ask, Are the promises made to me? Yes, to every one that believeth, and to you if you believe. And the Spirit is promised to work faith in your heart; complain not then of the difficulty of believing, or of the power of unbelief; but go to thy God, and plead with Him, crying, “Lord, increase my faith:” and go to His word, as to the word of a gracious Father, and endeavour to believe it.(James Smith)

O that closer I could cleave
To Thy bleeding, dying breast!
Give me firmly to believe,
And to enter into rest:
Lord, increase, increase my faith;
Make me faithful unto death.