The Monkees: "Mr. Webster"

Though this band had many popular hits, they did record some social comment songs. This is one about a banker who never gave his faithful employee a raise. Check it out here.

Worldly people doubtless applaud what Mr. Webster did at the end of the song. After all, he was never given any consideration for thwarting twenty-seven robberies.

As God's people, revenge isn't in our job description. Romans 12:19 (Bible in Basic English) admonishes, "Do not give punishment for wrongs done to you, dear brothers, but give way to the wrath of God; for it is said in the holy Writings, 'Punishment is mine, I will give reward, says the Lord.''"

And of course, stealing is stealing. Exodus 20:15 (BBE) plainly says, "Do not take the property of another."

Now some folks will remember the parable of the unjust steward. He had his master's creditors reduce the amount they owed for their goods. Luke 16:8 (BBE) does say, "And his lord was pleased with the false servant, because he had been wise; for the sons of this world are wiser in relation to their generation than the sons of light."

What Christ meant is that we believers aren't that smart. It wasn't a commendation of theft but a demonstration of how to be prudent regarding our futures.

I know we aren't all bishops but we must heed what Titus 1:7 (BBE) says. "For it is necessary for a Bishop to be a man of virtue, as God's servant; not pushing himself forward, not quickly moved to wrath or blows, not desiring profit for himself;"

If Christ hasn't rewarded his faithful ones by Saturday, I hope to post about disenchantment with what once thrilled us.

Saturday Song: Inner Circle, "Bad Boys"

This is one of my favourite reggae songs. The American TV show, "Cops" used it as their theme song, an apt choice as far as I'm concerned.

I found the full length version of the tune. Take a listen to it.

I'm glad that God is the ultimate police officer and judge combined. This saves us the trouble of seeking revenge on those who wronged us. As the Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 12:19 (KJV), "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

We couldn't have perfect revenge even if we could take it. We only see a person's exterior so we don't understand why they did what they did. But Jeremiah 17:10 (KJV) quotes God as saying, "I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings."

Furthermore, God knows what people are up to. Revelation 20:12 (KJV) says, "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."

People figure God can't see them if they do their sins in secret. But Jesus tells us in Luke 8:17 (KJV), "For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad."

And as God spoke through his prophet in Jeremiah 23:24 (KJV), "Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD."

What a relief it is that God will repay the crimes against us by the wicked. Does this song and what I wrote make you glad? Please let me know in the space below.

Monday's post will be about how our Lord went through all the trials of life which we experience.

Saturday Song: Inner Circle, "Bad Boys"

This is one of my favourite reggae songs. The American TV show, "Cops" used it as their theme song, an apt choice as far as I'm concerned.

I found the full length version of the tune on YouTube. Take a listen to it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4MRmEPNUxY&list=RDf4MRmEPNUxY

I'm glad that God is the ultimate police officer and judge combined. This saves us the trouble of seeking revenge on those who wronged us. As the Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 12:19 (KJV), "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

We couldn't take perfect revenge even if we tried. We only see a person's exterior so we don't understand why they did what they did. But Jeremiah 17:10 (KJV) quotes God as saying, "I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings."

Furthermore, God always knows what people are up to. Revelation 20:12 (KJV) says, "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."

People figure God can't see them if they do their sins in secret. But Jesus tells us in Luke 8:17 (KJV), "For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad."

And as God spoke through his prophet in Jeremiah 23:24 (KJV), "Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD."

What a relief it is that God will repay the crimes against us by the wicked. Does this song and what I wrote make you glad? Please let me know in the space below.

Islam and Christianity on Revenge

I know that many of us know what the Bible says about revenge, specifically what we should do about wrongs done to us. But the Quran teaches its adherents differently regarding this subject.

Sura 30:47 (THE ROMANS) states, "Before you, We sent messengers to their people. They came to them with clear proofs. Then We took revenge on those who sinned. It is incumbent on Us to help the believers."

However, Romans 12:19 (KJV) teaches us who follow Christ, "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.'"

On the other hand, the Quran has this to say, both about enemies and those who refuse to submit to Allah. Sura 8:12 (THE SPOILS) reads, "Your Lord inspired the angels: “I am with you, so support those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. So strike above the necks, and strike off every fingertip of theirs."

But our Lord gave us a noble command regarding those who wish us harm. Matthew 5:44 (KJV) reads, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"

Furthermore, Muslims are commanded in the Quran to have only believing friends except in one circumstance. Sura 3:28 (FAMILY OF IMRAN) states, "Believers are not to take disbelievers for friends instead of believers. Whoever does that has nothing to do with Allah, unless it is to protect your own selves against them. Allah warns you to beware of Him. To Allah is the destiny."

This flies in the face of what Jesus taught. Paul also showed that there's no qualification regarding if the neighbour is a believer or sinner. Romans 13:9 (KJV) is clear on this point. "For this, 'Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet;' and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

This is another subject on which I could point out the ways Christianity is superior when compared to Islam or any other human religion. I'll save what I've written about this for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? It's obvious from reading both the Quran and the Bible that our scripture is far superior in every way.

On Thursday, I'll write about prophets coming after John the Baptist and whether or not they were sent by God. That's bound to stir up controversy, especially among Muslims and Mormons.

What makes God Angry?

This month, I'll address the topic of God's nature. Many people have formed the false image of our creator as a narcissistic and petulant deity. Nothing could be further from the truth, as the Bible aptly demonstrates.

God's wrath is always righteous, particularly  against enemies of his people. Exodus 15:7 (KJV) says, "And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble."

God loves his people so much that he punishes those who harm them. The word "jealous," misunderstood by Opra and other less-famous celebrities, means a strong desire to protect. Nahum 1:2 (KJV)states,  "God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies."

Additionally, God hates mockers of his messengers. Israel did that and, though he chose to bless and work through that nation, he punished them for their disobedience many times. Look at what is written in 2 Chronicles 36:16 (KJV). "But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy."

God also opposes rebellion, which is a virulent form of disobedience. Deuteronomy 9:7 (KJV) reads, "Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD."

God hates falsehoods told about himself too. Job 42:7 (KJV) clearly proclaims, "And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath."

Additionally, and unlike in most belief systems, vengeance belongs to God and not us. Romans 12:19 (KJV)proves that.  "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

I could write so much more on this topic alone. Instead, I'll save it for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Because of false notions, people use God's righteous anger as an excuse to reject him. How I wish those folks would get a clue and realize that the Lord has every right to be upset at humanity's disrespectful intransigence.