If
you have ever upgraded your computer, then you know how much of a
hassle it can be. This past week I upgraded several of them (to the
latest Linux Mint 19.3) and set up all the programs, settings and
options. This project was several hours per computer
and of course there were problems along the way, a lot of them. But
everything worked out fine in the end and I am happy with the result.
Even though I felt exasperated quite a few times, I learned a
lot and overall I am better for the experiences.
Well,
today I saw this picture of a beautiful blue diamond and remembered
that it was formed out of carbon under great pressure. Curious about
diamonds, I did a web-search and immediately found the web site
listed above (Wikipedia). After reading a bit, I asked myself how a
Christian and a diamond compare (in color,clarity,cut and carat
weight), ? Below is just a brief summary of my thoughts…
Color
Isaiah
1 ( World English
Bible )
”Come
now, and let us reason together,” says Yahweh: “Though your
sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they
be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Revelation
7 ( WEB )
13,
One of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are arrayed in
white robes, who are they, and from where did they come?”
14,
I told him, “My lord, you know.” He said to me, “These are
those who came out of the great tribulation. They washed their
robes, and made them white in the Lamb’s blood.
15,
Therefore they are before the throne of God, they serve him day and
night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his
tabernacle over them.
Sin
is like a blemish, a dark spot on the soul. When your hands are
dirty, what do you do; well, you wash them of course. God wants you
clean of sin. He wants you to be as white as snow and as pure as pure
can be. For Christians, we are washed, we are purified by the blood
of Christ and symbolically will be given white robes in heaven. So,
Gary, don’t ruin a good thing- put away sin at every opportunity-
just do it!
Clarity
Matthew
5 ( WEB )
Matt
5:27 "“You have heard that it was said, " * "‘You
shall not commit adultery;’"
Matt
5:28 "but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust
after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. "
Matt
5:29 "If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and
throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of
your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into
Gehenna." *
Matt
5:30 "If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and
throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of
your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into
Gehenna." *
Matthew
6 ( WEB )
Matt
6:20 "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where
neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break
through and steal; "
Matt
6:21 "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
"
Matt
6:22 "“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your
eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light. "
Matt
6:23 "But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of
darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how
great is the darkness! "
Matt
6:24 "“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate
the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and
despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon. "
I
remember reading long ago: You are what you think about all day long.
This is true, for your thinking ultimately determines your actions
and your actions will reinforce your thoughts. Want to know what you
think? Take a long look at your computers browser history and that
will tell all. If what you do and what you look at is not something
Jesus would be pleased with… then CHANGE.
Cut
Philippians
1 ( WEB )
12,
Now I desire to have you know, brothers,* that the things which
happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good
News;
13,
so that it became evident to the whole praetorian guard, and to all
the rest, that my bonds are in Christ;
14,
and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my
bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without
fear.
15,
Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also
out of good will.
16,
The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking
that they add affliction to my chains;
17,
but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the
defense of the Good News.
18,
What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or
in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will
rejoice.
19,
For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your
supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
Romans
8 ( WEB )
28,
We know that all things work together for good for those who love
God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
If
you live your life and do nothing, then your are defined by the
result of that inaction. A full life will have both many successes
and failures (and Joys and Sorrows as well). Paul recounted the
things that shaped who and what he was to the Philippian brethren and
summarizes by saying “What does it matter? Only that in every way,
whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in
this, yes, and will rejoice.” His life was molded and directed
into doing the will of God; so ours should be as well.
Carat
Weight
Matthew
13 ( WEB )
31,
He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of
Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed
in his field;
32,
which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is
greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the
air come and lodge in its branches.”
2
Corinthians 11 ( WEB )
16,
I say again, let no one think me foolish. But if so, yet receive me
as foolish, that I also may boast a little.
17,
That which I speak, I don’t speak according to the Lord, but as in
foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.
18,
Seeing that many boast after the flesh, I will also boast.
19,
For you bear with the foolish gladly, being wise.
20,
For you bear with a man, if he brings you into bondage, if he devours
you, if he takes you captive, if he exalts himself, if he strikes you
on the face.
21,
I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet
however any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.
22,
Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the
seed of Abraham? So am I.
23,
Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I am
more so; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in
stripes above measure, in deaths often.
24,
Five times from the Jews I received forty stripes minus one.
25,
Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I
suffered shipwreck. I have been a night and a day in the deep.
26,
I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers,
perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the
city, perils in the wilderness, perils in the sea, perils among false
brothers;
27,
in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in
fastings often, and in cold and nakedness.
28,
Besides those things that are outside, there is that which presses on
me daily, anxiety for all the assemblies.
29,
Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I don’t
burn with indignation?
30,
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that concern my weakness.
How
much faith do you have? Is it as big as a mustard seed? If so, then
do something about it! Your “Carat Weight” will be determined by
what you do as a Christian. Small efforts produce small diamonds.
Large efforts produce magnificent ones. Remember James and his
comments about faith and works? Faith without works really is dead.
Be alive, do something with your faith and trust God in your
endeavors to do his will!
I
encourage you to read the material about diamonds at the Wikipedia
link and reflect upon your life. If your life were a diamond what
would be its grade? Let your Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight be
a wonderful evaluation indeed when you arrive at the judgment!
Let
these words of Jesus mold your thoughts and your actions as you
consider what your life is really like…
Matthew
5 ( WEB )
14,
You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be
hidden.
15,
Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but
on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.
16,
Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
ps.
You may have noticed that this last passage appears different from
the rest of the text. It is in the font “Letters
for learners” on purpose.
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