What goes together and what opposes each other?
Scripture reading: 2 Peter 1:5-8. Text: “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
One of the many secrets of life is to know what complements each other and what are incompatible. This is especially true in medicine, culinary arts and fashion. Ladies know which colors enhance the beauty of a dress and which colors are against good taste. A wise person knows what to include and what to leave out, with whom to associate and who to avoid, and which mixture is useful and which one is toxic. In our spiritual life we can find the same phenomenon. Please study our Scripture reading.
LET US LOOK AT FIVE CASES HOPING THAT YOU WILL NOT ONLY AGREE BUT ALSO PRACTICE THEM.
The joy of LOVING cannot be experienced without the pain of sacrifice. Please ask a husband and wife whose marriage is tested through hard economic times. Or ask a mother whose children often disagree and she has to keep peace among them. Or ask a mother who has to take care of a sick child. How did God show his love toward mankind? Please read John 3:16.
The joy of FRIENDSHIP cannot enrich our lives without our taking the risk of being disappointed. How many hours were spent crying during the night because our “best friend” doubled-crossed us? When you become a friend you open yourself and what has been shared could be used against you. A good friend is the one who knows many things about me and yet he or she remains my friend. In the book of Proverbs we read: “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24.
The joy of ACCOMPLISHMENT cannot be experienced without the sweat of hard work. Successful people say one of their secrets is inspiration should be coupled with perspiration. Again this is what we find in the book of Proverbs: “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.” Proverbs 6:6-11.
The joy of FORGIVENESS will not be experienced without the pain of contrition. Forgiveness is a two-edged sword; it can heal and it can hurt. It is wonderful to be forgiven. Ask those who were released from the jail with amnesty. However, in the church it is often said, go ahead and do it because it is easier to receive forgiveness here than it is to get permission. When someone insulted a minister and was told to apologize, the man’s response was: “Does not he preach forgiveness, let him practice it.”
The joy of SALVATION is not without the pain of resisting temptation and the pain of endurance to remain faithful. We should learn from the first Christians how they had to face life: “They (Paul and Barnabas) preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.” Acts of Apostles 14:21-22. Our Lord was also very realistic: “‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.'” John 16:33. However He also promised: “… but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:13.
Let us keep in mind that joy, happiness and love are interwoven and none of them can exist all by itself in an isolated and sterile form. Love is a two-way street, happiness is the side product of creativity, and joy is associated with a pure heart.
To realize how important the simple word “WITHOUT” can be, let us learn and remember this verse from the Bible: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Ligonier.