“DO NOT BE HAUGHTY!”

Romans 12:14-21                         (ESV)

“14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

16 Live in harmony with one another. “DO NOT BE HAUGHTY”, but associate with the lowly. NEVER be wise in your own sight.

17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of GOD, for it is written, "Vengeance is MINE, I will repay, says the LORD."

20 To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

We are exposed to, no, SWAMPED by filthy and unGodly actions by “this world” CONSTANTLY, and then we raise our hands in disbelief that ALMIGHTY GOD will not BLESS our nation???  How can we expect a HOLY GOD to BLESS AMERICA when we are acting just like Sodom and Gomorrah?  And I am not just pointing the finger at others, I am including myself in this Judgement!  I don’t steal, kill, or cheat on my wife, but I resemble the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 1:15 when he says “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost!!!”

Folks, we are instructed, maybe even ADMONISHED, to “DO NOT BE HAUGHTY” with our neighbors.  Yet we think our actions are somehow better than our brothers actions, when all that we have going for us is FAITH that JESUS CHRIST lived a perfect life and HIS Righteousness is IMPUTED on my wretched soul!  While it is true that we CHOSEN have for forgiveness etched beside our names, the Scripture above plainly states that EVERYONE of us is to “associate with the lowly”.  It is difficult to look down your nose at others when you are “associating with the lowly”!  

The only thing that I believe that “this world” has to be thankful for is that ALMIGHTY GOD is a merciful GOD and HE hasn’t YET blown HIS TRUMPET!  People who think that THE HOLY BIBLE is a Book of parables only and a Loving GOD would never allow harm to come upon HIS CREATION must not be familiar with Exodus 14, nor Isaiah 37:36 where the Angel of GOD killed 185,000 in one night?!?  Folks, Judgement IS COMING!  

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” is something that I am continually adapting to.  The HOLY SPIRIT must love a challenge, because I am proving to be a hard case!  Thinking too highly of ourselves is something that we must overcome daily.   “DO NOT BE HAUGHTY” isn’t just a self-help suggestion!  “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.”   .....and “DO NOT BE HAUGHTY!!!”