“love your neighbor as yourself” is not a command to love yourself. It is natural and normal to love yourself—it is our default position. There is no lack of self-love in our world. The command to “love your neighbor as yourself” is essentially telling us to treat other people as well as we treat ourselves. Scripture never commands us to love ourselves; it assumes we already do.
“Many seek the favor of a ruler but it is from the Lord that one gets justice”. Proverbs 29:26
What does favor and Judgment have similar in this proverb? What sense of judgment do you feel? My first thought is, it’s not punishment but a fair and right treatment. We natural humans love friends in high places, for they /we think that will be an advantage when in need. But promotion, prosperity, and protection are from the Lord. His favor far exceeds what any man can do for you. Trust in the Lord!
Do you have enemies? Vengeance is His; He will repay (Rom 12:19). Are your cares too heavy? He will bear them for you (1 Pet 5:7). Are you lonely? He will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb 13:6). Do you have needs? He knows them and will supply (Matt 6:25-33). Are rulers oppressing you? He is higher than they (Eccl 5:8). Are you afraid? He will hide you in His pavilion and protect you from your enemies (Ps 27:1-6).
I use to wonder during times of trial,” if the power that be”, would be my personal friends, might they help me a little with my spiritual, moral, physical and intellectual growth. What would that look like?
A true business adage says, it’s not what you know; it’s who you know? Hum. Once being a natural man, one who regarded and nurtured the victimology mindset, I thought it would be better to allow the devil to convince me of this foundation of victimology approach, which I call, “The articles of secular Faith” and adhere to the following: you are strange fruit hanging from a different tree, wondering and loss, forever trapped in the slavery frame of mind and can only say “yes to it” and hoping with time, the echoes of racism die and go away, “not so naive”. Putting my trust in man’s victimhood lectures and expect them to listen to another voice. Can I fight my way free? Or would it be better to allow the devil to convince me even more, that’s my entrapment and I can’t triumph and survive only if I put my total faith in man?
This article of secular faith promotes the idea that man does not need God or put him first. Religion is nothing but a relic of the past, teaches that there are no objective or absolute truths defining right and wrong. Its intent is to deprive something of its moral character, its spiritual influence and significance. We fight it by controlling our thoughts (Philippians 4:8), practicing Christian virtues (2 Peter 1:5-6), guarding our hearts (Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 15:18-20, and keeping good company (1 Corinthians 15:33).
But the truth is, God exists, and we do need Him. Despite this claim, the Bible is God’s truth (John 17:17). As believers living in a worldly society, we must “become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” Philippians 2:15
You see their abilities are limited; their judgment is distorted; they are often fickle; and frequently are too busy to care about your plight because they are chasing “self”. But the better truth is this: it’s not who you know on earth; it’s who you know in heaven! Knowing God and walking with him will do more for you in all parts of life. Psalm 75:6-7 The Lord dispenses perfect equity and justice to all men. So, trust the lord and seek him daily.
Colossians 3:23-25 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.” In essence, this is the Christian work ethic. We are commanded to put forth our best efforts, to work from our heart and soul at whatever we do. We are accountable to God and stewards of the gifts He has given us. Our work flows out of our gratefulness to Him.
The only Ruler you should seek favor from is Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. He holds your life now and your destiny in this world and the next in His hands. His approval and blessing are far more important than anyone else’s, no matter how powerful they might be. Obey Him today, and seek His blessing by obedience and prayer.
God Bless You and This Ministry!
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