WHEN 'BEING' BUSTS THE BOX! (Part II)

Now, before we pick up those 'stones' to be judge and executioner of this cast of fallen characters, let's reflect on what we've done, or considered, or dreamt repeatedly about that God didn't strike us down for, but rather paid the price for, while we were still in it all. Thanks be to God that HE is not fair, but rather HE is merciful and gracious. If we are careful with the text, we find here individuals, each having their own buttons getting pushed to lead them away from what they know in their conscience is wrong. But for the grace of God, there goes I.

Have we ever been tempted, have we ever been petty or jealous? Have we ever succumbed to
peer pressure? Is there any situation that we may enter, that by seduction or threat, we might do 'wrong' at the expense of others, for our own advantage, or that of our own? Ouch. Tell the truth and shame the devil. 'Anything' is a huge reality, but have we ever said and meant, 'I would do anything for my child, or my spouse, or my parents, or my best friend?' [You fill in the blank]. If so, care be taken, for we are on a slippery path. God is a jealous God. God alone deserves the sole place for our commitment to do 'everything or anything.’ Indeed, it has been said in Matthew 10:34-39, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's enemies will be members of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life shall lose it, and he
who has lost his life for My sake shall find it.” They, often like we all, enjoyed the box of their own doing, and embellished it, not seeing that their palace was an elaborate coffin of sorts. The 'Kool-Aid' was as good as water, until the diagnosis of diabetes.

It would have been more honorable for Herodias to not go after John as she did, using her
daughter, and it would have been better for her daughter to not agree with and build upon her mother's evil. She exceeded her mom's request and added the display of John's head 'on a platter,’ like it was some party dessert serving. Herod, the king, could have resisted the peer pressure of his cronies, and 'manned up' against his wife's trickery. He could've demonstrated a different manhood before his wife's daughter. He could've been a true 'king,' but compromised to special interests. The examples are for our benefit, so as to preclude our own slide. When we let God be God in our own lives and lifestyles, then we discover the busting of our box for our new 'becoming,’ His Spirit taking occupancy and reigning in us. Everyman in Christ is a new creature... ‘an' de ole' box, it don't hardly fit no mo.’

PRAYER : Heavenly Father, forgive me when I exchange ‘Thy will be done on earth’ with’ my will be done.’ It can be so easy to drift that way-- certainly when the pressure is on and the stakes are high-- but  also when all is relaxed. Help me to be strong and courageous and to enjoy no other rest but that which restores and comes from You. Let my strain show meekness such as Jesus had, and with all remembrance help me to glean of His Spirit and the Word the necessary stuff which yields righteousness in me and through me. Lead me to hope big, trust better, love powerfully, and step remarkably, such that none have to guess about how grateful I am. May the light within me find no resistance in me to shining brightly. I pray in Jesus' blessed name. Come, Thy kingdom. Be done Thy will. Amen and Amen.
By Bro. Brockington