“Only be
careful that this freedom of yours does not in any way turn into an obstacle to
trip those who are vulnerable…and then it would be through your knowledge that
this brother for whom Christ died, vulnerable as he is, has been lost. So
sinning against your brothers and wounding their vulnerable consciences, you
would be sinning against Christ…” (1 Cor.8:9-13)
Thus when as
a woman/lady; you wear tight/fitted clothes like skirts, bomb-shots,
pencil-skirts, tight-tops, trousers e.t.c transparent clothes like gowns,
skirts, tops, trousers, e.t.c revealing clothes like mini/pencil/tight-skirts,
hanging-gowns, sleeveless-tops e.t.c upload and download of nude/half-nude
pictures/videos/comments/write-ups/links on social websites and other sinful
inclinations of the internet bear in mind what you might be doing to several
vulnerable souls (lesbians/porn-addicts/minors/frail-creatures) also men when
you dress nude/half-nude with boxers, sagging, tight trousers/shorts/tops,
sleeveless for others consumption within the house/streets environments as well
as upload and download of such on the internet; this could be a clarion call to
demonic wife/husband/homosexuals/frail-souls e.t.c as the Heavens takes note
“His eyes are on those who fear him, he notes every human action” (Sirach
15:19)
However, whether
frail or strong do not fail to correct with prudence these set of people thus ‘brothers,
even if one of you is caught doing something wrong, those of you who are
spiritual should set that person right in a spirit of gentleness and watch
yourselves that you are not put to the test in the same way. Carry each other’s
burdens; that is how to keep the law of Christ. Someone who thinks himself
important when he is not, only deceives himself; but everyone is to examine his
own achievements and then he will confine his boastings to his own achievements
not comparing them with anybody else’s. Each one has his own load to carry’
{Gal.6:1-5}.
As we know
every little thing matters “A drunken workman will never grow rich and one who
makes light of small matters will gradually sink” {Sirach 19:1} bearing in mind
that God takes note of all our endeavors thus ‘His eyes are on those who fear
him, he notes every human action’ (Sirach 15:19) and by such engagements
whether in thoughts {‘more than all else, keep watch over your heart, since
here are the wellsprings of life’ Prov.4:23}, words (“since it is by your words
you will be justified and by your words condemned” Mtt.12:37), habits {‘anyone
who welcomes one little child like this in my name welcomes me. But anyone who
is the downfall of one of these little ones who have faith in me would be
better drowned in the depths of the sea with a great millstone round his neck’
Mtt.18:5-6} and deeds (“Don’t delude yourself: God is not to be fooled;
whatever someone sows, that is what he will reap” Gal.6:7) shall we face the
judgment on the last day [‘I saw the dead, great and small alike, standing in
front of his throne while the books lay open. And another book was opened which
is the book of life and the dead were judged from what was written in the books
as their deeds deserved…and anyone whose name could not be found written in the
book of life was hurled into the burning lake” Rev.20:12-15].
As we know
death can come to us any day/hour/second/environment/positional status after
which follows judgment (‘since human beings die only once, after which comes
judgment’ Heb.9:27) which proceeds from the same giver of life “the Lord gives
death and life brings down to sheol and draws up” {1 Sam.2:6} and he does not
respect anybody [‘there is no favoritism with God’ Rom.2:11] even His only Son;
Jesus had to carry out his earthly ministry in the right, hard and only way
{‘after the ordeal he has endured he will see the light and be content. By his
knowledge, the upright one my servant will justify many by taking their guilt
on himself’ Isaiah 53:11} so what sinful habits and lifestyle are you managing
with against the abundant life Christ gave us (“the thief comes only to steal
and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may life and have it to the
full” Jn.10:10) with excuses on your lips and mind? {‘He never commanded anyone
to be godless, he has given no one permission to sin’ Sirach 15:20}
So what
happens to testing and trials? You can think about these “None of the trials
which have come upon you is more than a human being can stand. You can trust
that God will not let you be put to the test beyond your strength but with any
trial will also provide a way out by enabling you to put up with it” (1
Cor.10:13) and ‘all this being so, let us rather give thanks to the Lord our
God who as he tested our ancestors is now testing us. Remember how he treated
Abraham, all the ordeals of Isaac, all that happened to Jacob in Syrian
Mesopotamia while he kept the sheep of Laban, his mother’s brother. For as
these ordeals were intended by him to search their hearts, so now this is not
vengeance that God is exacting on us but a warning inflicted by the Lord on
those who are near his heart’ {Judith 8:25-27} much more affirmed in the last
book of the Holy Bible thus “I reprove and train those whom I love: so repent
in real earnest” [Rev.3:19]
What of
temptation? Temptation is not from God rather from our selfish desires;
nurtured and nursed within the double faced {devious; “the heart is more devious
than any other thing and is depraved; who can pierce its secrets?” Jer.17:9 /
good; ‘God saw all he had made and indeed it was very good…’ Gen.1:31} platform
that dwells in man thus “Never, when you are being put to the test say, God is
tempting me; God cannot be tempted by evil and he does not put anybody to the
test. Everyone is put to the test by being attracted and seduced by that
person’s own wrong desire. Then the desire conceives and gives birth to sin and
when sin reaches full growth, it gives birth to death” (James 1:13-15)
We are not to
succumb to these trials and testing as well as the temptations that gush forth
from the cravings our carnality but should make use of the sufficient Grace
provided for us “but he has answered me, My grace is enough for you: for power
is at full stretch in weakness…” (2 Cor.12:9) hence opening the windows of His
blessings on us ‘blessed is anyone who preserves when trials come. Such a
person is of proven worth and will win the prize of life, the crown that the
Lord has promised to those who love him’ [James 1:12]
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