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[saint701]

by saint701Thu Sep 02, 2010 1:28 pm Forum: The Book of Romans, Topic: Choosing the spiritual path of retribution Replies: 3Views: 473

Choosing the spiritual path of retribution

by saint701 » Thu Sep 02, 2010 1:28 pm






Hello All,


Blessings!

Here is how I believe we will keep our high place in the Kingdom of Heaven by choosing the spiritual path of retribution during any end time trial we may suffer.

Have you ever heard of such a thing, a spiritual path of retribution? According to the Encarta World English Dictionary retribution is punishment, something done or given to somebody as punishment or vengeance for something he or she has done. So let's get even, right? Wrong! The spiritual path of retribution is the exact opposite and opposed to our natural way of thinking. The spiritual path is as much a gift of the grace of God applied by His Spirit into our hearts and minds to enable us to retaliate to the wrongs done to us in His love way.

Since Jesus is the only way, the only truth, and the only life, we look to His words to enlighten our understanding.



[38] Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
[39] But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
[40] And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
[41] And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
[42] Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
[43] Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
[44] 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;
[45] That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
[46] For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
[47] And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
[48] Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.


Such is called going the extra mile. What we are to understand is this, taking the spiritual path of retribution does not necessarily change those enemies we love, bless, do good to, and pray for, but such changes not only us for the better, but eventually our circumstances.

This is a true story. There was a man in the U.S. Navy years ago during the "high times" of the 1970's. His coworkers were die hard pot smokers. The man wouldn't smoke with them and they made his life at work a place of intense suffering. At first he became depressed to the point of death, but after reading a book on how to endure suffering, he determined to embrace it, and bless and pray for those persecuting him. Things didn't change immediately, but after several nights of prayer for his persecutors he had a dream.

In the dream he saw himself and his coworkers holding on to a raft in the ocean. The man saw himself climb up on that raft first, then the others followed. So what did that mean? Six months later before they left aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise for a nine month overseas tour, the man was promoted to be chief in charge of all the pot smokers that were persecuting him.

Doing things the way of our Lord may take longer than a temper tantrum, but it is His straight and narrow pathway that leads to eternal life and a high place in the Kingdom of Heaven.


Blessings!
Love, In Christ Jesus, Saint701.
It is most certainly far better to die in faith believing, than it is to live in unbelief.