Daily Journal: 4 November

Hold On to What is Precious

Not everyone shares the same value in things. An old saying, says, “What is trash to one person is treasure to another”.

The bible says:

Matthew 7:6 (NCV)

“Don’t give holy things to dogs, and don’t throw your pearls before pigs. Pigs will only trample on them, and dogs will turn to attack you.

We are cautioned not to return like for like or an eye for an eye but to pray for those who hurt us.

Matthew 5:44 (NKJV)

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

Not everyone wants what we know to be true. Not everyone believes in the unsurpassable love of Jesus Christ. Many are resistant to Him, His message, and to His followers. While we are called to bless and not to curse and pray for those who hurt us, we are also cautioned to live with boundaries to those who are resistant and hateful to the pearls we are given. We are to hold on to what is precious and not throw away our pearls when we know they will be trampled on. We are not to go into an environment we know is openly hostile and give away what is sacred to God for it to be misused and for us to be abused.

Our attitude is to judge wisely, able to discern open hearts from resistant hearts. Being a blessing is only a blessing when it is received.

Matthew 10:13 (ASV)

And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

It is not for us to convict people of their sin. Just as it was not for another to convict us, it was the work of the Holy Spirit. It is His power that calls people to receive the truth. The Holy Spirit has different names that describe His attributes as seen in this final verse where Jesus had finished His work on earth and was about to ascend to heaven in front of His disciples.

John 16:7-9 (NCV)

But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go away. When I go away, I will send the Helper [Counselor, Comforter, Advocate] to you. If I do not go away, the Helper will not come. When the Helper comes, he will prove to the people of the world the truth about sin, about being right with God, and about judgment. He will prove to them that sin is not believing in me.