Nick Lowe: "Cruel to be Kind"

This hit from the early eighties demonstrates an important principle. There are times when a person has to give an errant loved one correction. It's no fun but it must be done. Listen to the song here.

To stop somebody from sinning, we must rebuke them with an attitude of love. As Leviticus 19:17 (Bible in Basic English) shows us, "Let there be no hate in your heart for your brother; but you may make a protest to your neighbour, so that he may be stopped from doing evil."

Of course there are folks who refuse to listen even to the kindest of objections. As Proverbs 9:8 (BBE) demonstrates, pompous people won't accept correction. "Do not say sharp words to a man of pride, or he will have hate for you; make them clear to a wise man, and you will be dear to him."

In fact, there are people who will praise you for setting them straight. Proverbs 24:24 and 25 (BBE) reminds us, "He who says to the evil-doer, 'You are upright,' will be cursed by peoples and hated by nations. But those who say sharp words to him will have delight, and a blessing of good will come on them."

Furthermore, Proverbs 27:5 (BBE) explains why we need to rebuke those we love. "Better is open protest than love kept secret."

A day will come when the Lord will correct the world. Isaiah 2:4, (BBE) prophesies, "And he will be the judge between the nations, and the peoples will be ruled by his decisions: and their swords will be turned into plough-blades, and their spears into vine-knives: no longer will the nations be turning their swords against one another, and the knowledge of war will be gone for ever."

If that wonderful day hasn't come by Thursday, I hope to tell you about the dangers of too much of anything.

Will War Ever End?

It was on this date in 1970 that four students at Kent State University were shot dead by soldiers brought in to quell student violence. Some reports were that the students provoked the men while others say that the provocation was deliberate. Whatever the cause, war will always be with us in this age.

Jesus certainly had no illusions of human-managed peace. As he said in Matthew 24:6 (BBE), "And news will come to you of wars and talk of wars: do not be troubled, for these things have to be; but it is still not the end."

War has been around for a long time. As we read in Revelation 12:7 and 8 (BBE), even angels and demons fought one another. "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels going out to the fight with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels made war, And they were overcome, and there was no more place for them in heaven."

And though war is murder on a vast scale, there were times when God used humanity's propensity toward violence for his own ends. Exodus 33:1 and 2 (BBE) show the purpose for Israel's conquest of Canaan. "And the Lord said to Moses, 'Go forward from this place, you and the people whom you have taken up out of the land of Egypt, to that land about which I made an oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, "To your seed will I give it." And I will send an angel before you, driving out the Canaanite and the Amorite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite:'"

Other nations were also punished by warring with Israel as they likewise were by other nations. Joel 3:10 (BBE) reads, "Get your plough-blades hammered into swords, and your vine-knives into spears: let the feeble say, I am strong."

A time will come when Christ will reign and war will be gone forever. Isaiah 2:4 (BBE) promises, "And he will be the judge between the nations, and the peoples will be ruled by his decisions: and their swords will be turned into plough-blades, and their spears into vine-knives: no longer will the nations be turning their swords against one another, and the knowledge of war will be gone for ever."

On Thursday, provided Christ doesn't return before then, I hope to post about what true joy is.

Why Was Christ Called the Prince of Peace?

Isaiah 9:6 is one verse commonly quoted during this season. The Bible in Basic English renders it as, "For to us a child has come, to us a son is given; and the government has been placed in his hands; and he has been named Wise Guide, Strong God, Father for ever, Prince of Peace."

Cynical people might say that Christ was far from being a peace maker. To them, he was a teacher who got killed for telling people to be nice.

The truth is that Christ came the first time to save sinners from hell. Even the Samaritans who heard him teach understood this. John 4:42 (BBE) quotes the villagers as saying, "And they said to the woman, (whom Christ met at the well) 'Now we have faith, but not because of your story: we ourselves have given ear to his words, and we are certain that he is truly the Saviour of the world.'"

But this salvation was of the soul, not the temporal nation of Israel. Even after Christ's resurrection, his disciples still had the political kingdom notion stuck in their heads. Luke records in Acts 1:6 (BBE), "So, when they were together, they said to him, 'Lord, will you at this time give back the kingdom to Israel?'"

A day will come when Christ will return as conquering king and judge of humanity. As Isaiah 9:7 (BBE) prophesied, "Of the increase of his rule and of peace there will be no end, on the seat of David, and in his kingdom; to make it strong, supporting it with wise decision and righteousness, now and for ever." By the fixed purpose of the Lord of armies this will be done."

We also read in Isaiah 2:4 (BBE) how Christ will rule forever. "And he will be the judge between the nations, and the peoples will be ruled by his decisions: and their swords will be turned into plough-blades, and their spears into vine-knives: no longer will the nations be turning their swords against one another, and the knowledge of war will be gone for ever."

What a glorious time that will be! But for many folks, their future is eternal separation from all of God's goodness in hell. That's why I'm working on a book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? I hope it steers people away from that horrid place.

On Saturday, I hope to publish my take on a song from 1982 and why we can't live in harmony at this time.