BITTERNESS OR BLESSEDNESS, CHOOSE

BITTERNESS OR BLESSEDNESS, CHOOSE Romans 15:4; Genesis 49:5-7; 2 Samuel 2:26 From DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY BY: PST. W.F KUMUYI Ministers, members of the church and everyone who claim to belong to the Lord have a choice to show the bitterness of anger or the blessedness of affection. In telling the story of his life, Jacob observed and remembered the character, activity and cruelty of Simeon and Levi. His account and “whatsoever things [that] were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope”. Whatever we do, we should not only think of the consequence at this moment in time; we should also think of the future. When something negative and unexpected happens, we either react with fierceness and bitterness or respond with grace, forgiveness and blessedness. Before we do anything, we should consider whether it will result in “bitterness in the latter end”. 1. THE BITTERNESS OF ANGER AND REVENGE The brothers of Dinah did not condemn her action or rebuke her; they were indulgent. They had nothing else they could do except to show their anger and revenge. (i). The Danger and Defilement of Aimless Wanderers Genesis 34:1,2; 1 Timothy 5:13,12; Proverbs 21:16 The un-sanctified heart has a longing for roaming about. “And Dinah …went out to see [or be seen by] the daughters of the land”. No record exists that she told her parents of her whereabouts. They would have admonished her appropriately against meddling with the heathens at her tender age. “Shechem… saw her… lay with her, and defiled her”. Idleness and “wandering about” are not limited to teenagers; they also apply to older people who do not have anything important to do. Roaming about today goes beyond getting out of the house. People roam about on the phone and the internet. Also, when people “cast off their first faith”, conviction and Christian character, they tend to roam about. “The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead”. We should learn to set goals for ourselves and work towards achieving them to help curb roaming. (ii). The Deception and Damnation of Angry Wormwood Genesis 34:7-9,13-17,25,26 The father of Shechem desired to make marriages with the children of Israel. But “the sons of Jacob answered …deceitfully, and said …We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised”. They used circumcision, the sacred covenant of God, as basis to kill and destroy. Today, some people also take the sacred doctrines of God’s word to make jest, tell lies and deceive other people. Simeon and Levi expressed their anger on the whole city instead of only on the individual who had defiled their sister. It is difficult to limit anger. Once we allow anger to brew or well up within, it takes away our thinking about the future and the value of our calling. We should watch our actions that they are not the outcomes of deception and bitterness (wormwood) in the heart that would lead to damnation. (iii). The Denunciation and Destiny of Assertive Wilfulness Genesis 49:6,7 Wilful people are stubborn and do not think about their actions and utterances. Wilfulness makes people to forget about consequences. Instead of being blessed, Simeon and Levi were “Cursed [for] their anger… and their wrath”. Sadly, there is no good thing we can read about the progress of the life of Dinah whom they were trying to protect. They ruined their future because of a person who had no future. 2. THE BLESSEDNESS OF THE ATTITUDE OF NON-RETALIATION As believers, we must have the attitude of non-retaliation no matter what happens to us. (i). Marriage Relationship with Reprobates Forbidden by God Deuteronomy 7:1,3; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 The Scripture warns the Israelites sternly against marrying from the heathen nations around them and present-day believers against being “unequally yoked together with unbelievers”. As believers, we must not make marriages with them because we “are the temple of the living God…” Hence, we must “touch not the unclean thing”. Parents must watch over and pray for their children and instruct them in the way they should go for them to be truly saved. Their salvation must show in their behaviours and lifestyles and not just their appearance. (ii). Malicious Revenge and Retaliation Found among the Godless 1 John 3:12 Believers must be careful not to engage in malicious revenge and retaliation because of anger. We must not be as Cain, “who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous”. Those who have anger issues must ask the Lord for help to overcome it and discuss their grievances with the people who have offended them instead of revenging. (iii). Merciful Redemption and Reconciliation Founded on Grace Hebrews 4:16; Jude 1:20,21 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”. As believers, we need the grace of God to make us compassionate. Our conviction in Christ also makes us truly loving, friendly and willing to reconcile rather than take revenge. Whenever we feel offended, we should not be boisterous and go to accuse the offender immediately. Rather, we should go first before the throne of grace to obtain mercy and pray that the Lord would have mercy on the offender and give him or her wisdom, a change of mind, thought and personality. By so doing, we will be able to relate with each other with grace, love, compassion and have reconciliation. 3. TRUE BELIEVERS WITH THE ARMOUR OF RIGHTEOUSNESS True believers must put on the armour of righteousness. Our behaviours, actions and lifestyles must display the perfect expression of the life of followers of Christ. (i). The Recklessness in the Path of Lawlessness Genesis 34:30,31 Lawless people act and approach life recklessly. Such people are not favoured by heaven. Simeon and Levi were reckless in their action because they were lawless. Their deed made “Jacob …to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites” [who he feared would] “gather themselves together against [him], and slay [him]” contrary to God’s plan and promise to Abraham. Saved and sanctified, we must not be lawless or reckless but bring ourselves under the control of the Lord. (ii). The Revelation during the Period of the Law Leviticus 19:17,18 “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD”. As believers, we must not take delight in sinful practices of our neighbours or close associates. Rather, we should be prompt to rebuke such acts, but not with deception or diplomacy. (iii). Our Righteousness as Partakers of His Love Romans 12:17-21 Believers must be more thoughtful and loving; having obtained the grace that enables us to “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men [and] ...live peaceably with all men”. We must not adopt the lifestyle of Simeon and Levi and use the instrument of cruelty against our brethren. It is important to consider the happiness of those around us before we act and make up our minds that ours will be a life of grace, love and mercy. We should never allow any evil thing to stem out of us but trust the Lord to fight for us. “For it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord”.