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Challenging, thought provoking issues for the need of this hour.
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RECOGNIZE DANGEROUS “DOGS”!
“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye
your pearls before swine …” (Matthew
7:6).
This is not directed at any particular person or persons, but having
said that, this comment was made to the disciples regarding their relationships
with the religious of the day.
We typically view dogs as friendly family pets and refer to them as “man’s
best friend.” However, in Bible times, dogs freely roamed the
countryside. In this wild and hungry state, they presented a constant
threat of danger to those who encountered their fury.
Wild dogs are highly symbolic in Scripture, representing that which
is low and contemptible. When a wicked man cursed King David, David’s
General reacted, “… Why should this dead dog curse my lord
the king?” (II Samuel 16:9). Paul warned in Phil
3:2, “Beware
of dogs, beware of evil workers ”
We are not to judge people’s motives, but we are to discern the
dangerous nature of “dogs” and “swine.”
God condemned the leaders of Israel by stating: “His watchmen
are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot
bark; sleeping, lying down, and loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy
dogs, which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot
understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain
(Isaiah 56:10–11). Solomon uses a characteristic of the dog to
describe the nature of a foolish man: “As a dog returned to his
vomit, so a fool returned to his folly” (Proverbs 26:11).
To help us understand the analogy in this command, we must realize
that the nature of both wild dogs and swine is different from our human
nature. They are not impressed with the “jewels” that we
have. They are concerned only with satisfying their physical appetites,
and they do not care whom they hurt or abuse in the process. If we
offer jewels to them, they will lunge for them, but when they realize
that they were misled by our attention to them and see our failure
to fulfil their expectations, they will trample the jewels we have
given them and turn to attack us and try to rend us.
The primary point of Jesus’ command is that we cannot give that
which is holy to one whose very nature has no comprehension or appreciation
for holy things.
As we seek to share Christ and the treasures of His Word with those
around us, it is important for us to remember that simply giving holy
things to unholy people will not make those individuals holy. They
must first come to repentance for their sins. Then their hearts and
their spirits will be reborn, and they will be given the holy nature
of God. This rebirth will allow them to understand and appreciate spiritual
things.
Let’s purpose to discern the ability of listeners to appreciate
or comprehend the spiritual truths we want to give them, and let’s
follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit in what we share.
GOD IS NOT A KILL-JOY
“All things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Whether therefore
ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God”1 Corinthians
10:23, 31.
As Christians, the increase of His governance in our lives should never come
to an end. We should not reckon on becoming “back-numbers,” the
like of which soon pile up to gather dust!
The old adage says, “All work and no play make Johnny a dull boy”.
So we all need to find some way of re-creating our exhausted gray matter, which
is being used up in long application to study or work. “Recreation” is
a good word, its preferable to Pastime. We should never be guilty of just “killing
time”.
The term ‘burnout’ should never describe a Christian’s condition.
If you’re so busy (supposedly doing things for God) that you don’t
have any time to re-create your life, your obvious problem is that you are
too busy doing your thing and not doing His!
One of the first things we need is a lawful and healthy recreation. Parents
need to do this with their children, and couples need to do one together. There
is really no limit to the recreations in which a Christian person can indulge.
The more the merrier so long as they are recreative; and not just the end,
but also the means to the end. That is, they must edify, build up the physical,
and stimulate the brain, to be used afterwards in the main business of life.
When people neglect the real business of life in order to indulge in their
sports and games, then instead of edifying, these in turn begin to pull down
and weaken.
We should put in here a plea on the behalf of others. We should not indulge
in things, which although lawful and innocent enough in themselves, may be
a stumbling block to those who are watching every movement of our life.
“Do all to the glory of God.” So many seem afraid of joy! They
fear if they are too happy, God will send some trouble to bring them down to
earth.
How different is the command in Deut. 26:11 “and you shall rejoice in
all the good which the LORD your God has given to you and to your house, you,
and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you”; and Phil.
4:4 is
another exhortation to heed. Even when things don’t appear to be good,
just dare to be thankful in all things, and give praise for all. In everything
give thanks, for this is the will of God. All Our Father’s gifts are
good, however they are wrapped.
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