Actor Clint Eastwood had a line in one of his films which was “ a man gotta know his limitations.” So true that is, and we can get rid of stress by saying “no” to projects that are too much for us. We must realize that our stress level shoots though the roof, when allowing others to overload us. The wise thing is to speak up and refuse to let men use us for stacking racks. Other people cannot know our limitations, so we cannot allow them to be our judges. Make sure that some relaxing time is left for yourself and above all—obey God and trust in Him (Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 10:38-42; Phillipians 4:6; Ephesians 5:15-16; John 9:31).
Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. In Genesis 4:9, Cain’s reply to the Lord’s question was: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” In other words, Cain was telling God, “it’s none of my business where he is or what he is doing.” This was the origin of “I don’t want to get involved,” and the attitude is still practiced today. In the last episode of Seinfeld, the four stars were sent to prison for not helping a man who was being robbed. They felt it wasn’t their problem so why concern themselves? Though the TV program was fictional, it still showed a strong message. The Bible teaches people to care and not be like the two guys who refused to help an injured man as he lay in the road (Luke 10:30-37; Ezekiel 3:16-21; 1 Samuel 3:13; Proverbs 21:13; Deuteronomy 22:1-4; Galatians 6:1-2; Matthew 25:26-28; 1 Corinthians 10:24).
This lesson isn’t teaching one to play super hero and rush up and fight an armed thug. But there is something we can do. We can call the police or provide some other type of information, publicly or anonymously. We must take the time to cheer the sad, give food to the hungry, visit the sick. etc. (Galatians 6:10; James 4:17, 1:27; 1 Timothy 5:9-10; Acts 9:36-43). Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. Doing what is right when no one else is around is the fruit of those who understand that doing the right thing is a matter of what is believed and not forced because someone is watching you (Titus 2:10). Of course God is watching even though no one may be within 100 miles (Proverbs 15:3). But we must learn to do what is right because it is correct and doing things right is how man should live (1 Thessalonians 5:15). Look around you—do you see something that is wrong? If so, do what is right (Acts 17:16-17). If you are enticed to do something crooked, just say no and do what is right (Proverbs 1:10-18). Man must know what is right and motivate himself to do what is right because it is the moral thing to do (Prov. 1:20-33).
Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. It is said, “all those people can’t be wrong” or “everyone is doing it, and you will be left on the wrong side of history if you don’t join in.” But, equating majority acceptance as proof that something is right, is error, and I shall prove it.
First, morality and correction aren’t established by man. That is true because man is fallible and needs guidance from a higher power (Romans 3:23; Proverbs 14:12, 21:2; Jeremiah 10:23-24). Next, men need to consult with the word of God before concluding a matter right or wrong (Joshua 9:14; Leviticus 24:12; Rom. 7:7; John 8:31-32; 1 Timothy 4:16). Bible history has shown us that the majority doesn’t make something right. God destroyed Sodom because it couldn’t produce ten righteous people (Gen. 18:32). Paul was alarmed at the city of Athens because everyone was given over to idolatry (Acts 17:16). God destroyed the world with a flood during Noah’s life, saving only eight people because the majority had gone into wickedness (Gen. 6:5-13, 7:1-2,11-16). God threatened the huge city of Nineveh with destruction because the total population was wicked (Jonah 1:1-2, 3:1-10, 4:10-11). On the Day of Judgment, Jesus said the majority will go to hell, and only the minority will go to heaven (Matthew 7:13-14). So don’t listen to those who stake their claim on what the majority is doing. Follow those who stand on the word of God, though they may be the minority (Matt. 7:24-27, 24:35; 1 Peter 1;23-25). Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. |