“Misunderstandings”

It is always important to get ALL of the facts to a story in order form a sound assessment of every situation.  Proverbs 4:7 says, “The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom;
And with all your possessions, acquire understanding.” 

The definition of the word judge means to form an opinion about someone or something after CAREFUL thought.  Even when we believe we understand what is occurring in a given situation, we need to take the time to fact find, instead of subscribing to hearsay.  In Joshua 22, the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh decided to build an altar to God on behalf of their descendants.  The children of Israel heard someone say that the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh had built an altar and they ASSUMED that the altar was built to worship a false god.  In response to this act, the entire congregation gathered themselves to go to war with the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh.  However, before the fighting began, the Israelites sent a delegation to the other tribes to get their side of the story.  After the delegation sat down to talk to the other tribes, they discovered that the altar was really an altar that was built to honor the Lord, on behalf of their descendants.  This was pleasing news to the Israelites and they all returned to their homes.

If the rest of the Israelite tribes had not taken the time to investigate the matter, they would have destroyed their brothers over HEARSAY.  Every story must ALWAYS be confirmed with the source.

Proverbs 4:7

 The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom;
And with all your possessions, acquire understanding.

“Choices”

There are times when we may be given an option between A or B.  One option may be unacceptable to God, while the other option has a negative consequence for refusing to choose the option that displeases God.  Regardless of how difficult the choice may be, we do not choose based on the lesser of 2 evils. 

There are times when God will intervene and remove the unpleasant consequence that choosing God’s standard may create for us.  In Daniel 3, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, gave Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego the option to bow to a foreign image or die by fire.  After refusing to offend God by worshipping the false image, God intervened in the situation and spared their lives.  We never have to select the options that are given to us when they conflict with what God desires of us.  Even if we have to experience hostility the best option is to ALWAYS choose God’s way!

John 16:33

³³ These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.

 

“Righteousness”

If we could display people’s thoughts on a large screen, it would eliminate their ability to be self-righteousness.  Even though our actions may be honorable or decent, our thoughts are not always righteous.  We  cannot be redeemed nor justified by our own actions; it is only by the righteousness of Christ that we are made perfect while still having individual flaws.  Jesus became our substitute so that we would not be able to boast in our righteousness nor become prideful in the works that we have accomplished. 

2 Corinthians 5:21

²¹ For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

 

“Working for God”

Whenever we are fulfilling the work that God has gifted us to accomplish, we are not responsible for the outcome; we are only responsible for completing the assignment.  God is responsible for the outcome.

Ezekiel 3:10-11

¹⁰ Moreover, He said to me, “Son of man, take into your heart all My words which I will speak to you and listen closely. ¹¹ Go to the exiles, to the sons of your people, and speak to them and tell them, whether they listen or not, ‘This is what the Lord God says.’”