The Pilgrim Path

“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”

James 3:14-16

“How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

Matthew 12:34

Self-Denial and Self-Sacrifice are not things which come naturally to us. Human response to threat is usually placed in one of three categories: Fight, Flight, or Freeze. Given enough time, resources, and strategy, we all become fighters. We think to defend ourselves as a primary response to perceived wrongdoing. If you are anything like me, the “fight” comes impetuously. Unfortunately, these circumstances are rarely righteous fisticuffs. Instead, they are childish verbal volleys. I feel antagonized, offended, misrepresented…wronged. How are we prone to respond to situations like these?

We tend to return evil for evil. We tend to join a fool in his folly. We tend to not turn the other cheek.

A world of souls is watching. Pray that the treasure of Christ in you will lead you in speech/written communication. Pray that you will be known for your words communicating a peace that surpasses all understanding.

“Christianity preaches the infinite worth of that which is seemingly worthless and the infinite worthlessness of that which is seemingly so valued.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“Surely a Christian should be willing to give up anything which stands between him and heaven. A religion that costs nothing is worth nothing! A cheap Christianity, without a cross, will prove in the end a useless Christianity, without a crown.” - JC Ryle

Grace and Peace to you in Jesus Christ our Risen Lord, Pastor Peter