My mother used to say, “Jean (she called me Jean), “This a mean ol’ world to live in.”
Interestingly enough, however, even if she thought that from time to time, she did not live it in real time. She was a smart, talented and gifted woman living with physical challenges and difficulties in life—with a brilliant mind and holy spirit. She never gave up no matter what came her way. She was a survivor. You know the story. It’s a familiar one to many. Wonderful mothers, fathers, friends and family members undergo the struggles in life and survive without, living lustful, dishonest lives. In reading and studying the scriptures, we see characters completely different from honorable people. There is a plentiful supply of biblical characters who are caught up in greed, lust and trying to “get over” on the misfortunes of others. This is nothing new to us. Greed, lust, lying and other devious activities permeated the world then and continue to flow throughout society today. The scriptures speak freely about charlatans such as Simon, the sorcerer (Acts 8:18-24) whose chief goal was to make money. He made a big name for himself by astonishing people with magical arts. His followers were thinking he was “the Great Power Of God. He had them thinking he was “the Messiah! This is the very point. Deception is pervasive in this world and continues to be the chief method that the adversary uses to gain influence and control. Some people are fooled and duped into thinking they can do whatever they want, satisfy every desire and escape being found out. The serpent “duped” Eve. She was believing her own press release thinking she could “be God.” Her conclusion was infectious. Adam listened to her over and beyond what God told him. Here’s the thing. When Matthew 10:34 tells us “Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” What is this saying? When Jesus Christ came to the earth, He was not coming as “a friend of the world.” He could not come from heaven and get along with the ways of the world. His mission was opposite and in direct conflict to the ways of the world. You can’t mix oil and water (so to speak). He could not be “one of the boys” and be divine…no way. So there we have the division. Now you and I know that if you can’t get along in your own house when one believes in Christ and another holds idolatrous beliefs, they are not holding in their hearts the same belief and trust. They are trusting in ways and attitudes contrary to Christian beliefs. The Gospel cannot be purchased nor bartered for material things. When there are directly conflicting doctrines, there is not peace. There could be a surface or peripheral peace, but not real peace. On this point, one major (if not the problem) in this situation today is when the United States is in Afghanistan nation building. Although we were there 20 years, the others were there also patiently waiting for us to get out. Peace with the Taliban and other parts of the world is most difficult. The beliefs are so completely different. That’s why people have to sit down and negotiate peace treaties. Jesus came to bring love and show through the Gospel message and His resurrection and ascension that He has victory over the flesh! WE CAN HAVE VICTORY TOO!—RIGHT HERE ON EARTH. BUT, WE MUST “PURSUE PEACE (Hebrews 12:14). Make Every effort to be at peace WITH EVERYONE, AS WELL AS HOLINESS, WITHOUT WHICH NO ONE WILL SEE THE LORD. Thanks for reading! Jeanette Grattan Parker, Founder-Superintendent Today’s Fresh Start Charter School 323-293-9826 www.todaysfreshstart.org; Askdrjeanette® www.askdrjeanetteparker.com
