Being Labeled Legalistic For Obeying God's Word

 

 

Jason Bryant

 

 

     There is an ignorance amongst Western society (American) Christendom.  Every true redeemed child of God by the blood and grace of Jesus, believes...accents...knows experientially that we are saved from condemnation to hell, by Christ's propitiation for our inherent wickedness, our stench in the Holy nostrils of God.  Thank you Jesus for your suffering my deserved sentence.  Okay, with that out of the way, let us understand sanctification, fruits and works that truly believing and receiving grace CALLS and EMPOWERS the child of the Way to live in Christ.

    Now our sins have been crushed onto the innocent Son of God, suffering our sentence at the bar of God's justice, we are expected, implied, a command if one is to be a true disciple of Christ, claim Him as Savior, submit to His Lordship....repentance changing the volitional, mind, heart, soul, being (Jason Bryant) comes a word that is a staple of sanctification and growing in Christ likeness, you know... little Christ.  That whole "Be ye doers of the Word, not hearers only." That the Holy Spirit penned through Jesus' half brother James.  Now when those who begin to obey the words Jesus spoke, God spoke, out of a grace born desire and devotion to honor their Lord and Savior, ignorant Christians who dwell in the flesh, flirt with the world, base their walk of the Way on their "feelings" flesh, not of God, or their mind and intellect (flesh) not of God scream Legalism!  Legalistic! Friend, after justification, we are told to go and strive to sin no more, walk in faith, walk in the Spirit, reject friendship with the world!  It's in your Bible too, IF you are not reading those horrendous mistranslated editions, black letter words, and red letter words.  We are told not to walk in the flesh, be a called out people, separate from the world.  We are talking sanctification which is after salvation, after grace,  "If you love Me, YOU WILL KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS."  Red letter Jesus words.  Go ahead a scream legalism, I in love rebuke you to pick up the Word (Jesus) and learn the difference between Justification and Growing in Christ.  The latter requires an act of our will empowered by grace.  Hear Paul in Ephesians 4 for yourself, and quit making excuses to enjoy darling sins!  "

⁷ But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
⁸ Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
⁹ (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
¹⁰ He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
¹¹ And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
¹² For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
¹³ Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
¹⁴ That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
¹⁶ From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
¹⁷ This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
¹⁸ Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
¹⁹ Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
²⁰ But ye have not so learned Christ;
²¹ If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
²² That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
²³ And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
²⁴ And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

Some choices on our part folks, because of grace, not cheap get out of hell fire insurance that only dishonors Christ Whom was crushed for our sins.

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The Writing on The Wall

Messages from God are sometimes joyful and wonderful to see and hear, then there are those moments when the truth stings and needs to be heard. Of late the messages He's given me are of warning, I suppose its my nerdy love of history and studies of nations that I hear these messages as I study prayerfully reading the Word aloud, expectantly awaiting to hear Him. He does speak clearly to the heart and mind in His will, who will submit, be still and listen. With the chaos and unraveling of American society, any true student of History and child of God can see the allegories and parallels of nations past and the downward spiral of our once American Republic. Once we were a Republic founded on Judeo-Christian values, precepts and law. Businesses closed on Sunday's, prayers were welcomed in government, the Ten Commandments were customary in court rooms, neighbors helped neighbors, and morality was a valued character of a citizen, especially Christians. Ask yourself this question? Where is Babylon? Where are Tyre and Sidon? Where is Macedonia (Greece)? Where is Rome? Where is Medo-Persia? Where is Sodom? Where is the mighty Britons, the Glorious Spain? The are but foot notes of history. These countries did what America is doing now, they mocked God, they glorified sin, they worshipped greed and prestige, took what did not belong to them and kept for themselves. The forsook the widows, orphans, and poor. They honored not the Creator. This passage in Daniel in this post is a parallel to our nation....read it, and remember our president said, "God Bless Planned Parenthood." this weekend, the government funded child sacrifice organization funded by Federal money. God will not be mocked. Read this passage with fear and trembling, and pray: Daniel "5 Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.

2 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.
3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
6 Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.
7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
8 Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.
9 Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.
10 Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:
11 There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers;
12 Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.
13 Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?
14 I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.
15 And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing:
16 And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.
17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.
18 O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:
19 And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.
20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
21 And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.
22 And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;
23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:
24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.
25 And this is the writing that was written, Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin.
26 This is the interpretation of the thing: Mene; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.
27 Tekel; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.
28 Peres; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
29 Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
30 In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain."
If I did not love you and my country I would give you a Joel Osteen story

Bryant's Berean Blog: Repentance Unto Grace

Bryant's Berean Blog: Repentance Unto Grace: Repentance Unto Grace Jason Bryant 4-29-13 　 " 30 "Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according t...

Repentance Unto Grace

Repentance Unto Grace

Jason Bryant

4-29-13

　

"30 "Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! " Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. 31 " Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? " 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! And live! " Ezekiel 18:30-32 Yes, this is an Old Testament verse, none the less strategically placed in the Bible by God Himself. Here is a precursor to the message John the Baptist would preach a few hundred years later as He would prepare the way for the Lord Jesus Christ.


Let us ask the question of what is biblical repentance? What did God, John the Baptist, and Jesus mean when they used the word repentance? "Repentance
The most common term in the Old Testament for repentance is sub; the verbal forms appear well over 1, 050 times, although translated "repent" only 13 times, and the substantive "repentance" occurs only once in the New International Version. More commonly the translation is "turn" or "return." A related term is naham [j"n], which is translated three times as "repent" in the New International Version. In the New Testament, the most common verb is metanoeo [metanoevw] (33 times) and the noun metanoia [metavnoia] (20 times). A synonym metamelomai [metamevllomai] is once translated "repent" ( Matt 21:32 ).

Two requisites of repentance included in sub are "to turn from evil, and to turn to the good." Most critical theologically is the idea of returning to God, or turning away from evil. If one turns away from God, apostasy is indicated. Three times Ezekiel included God's call to the people of Israel: "Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!" ( 14:6 ); "Repent! Turn away from all your offenses" ( 18:30 ); "Turn! Turn from your evil ways" ( 33:11 ). Such a call was characteristic of the prophets (see, e.g., Isa 45:22 ; 55:7 ; Joel 2:12-13 ). The Septuagint underlines this idea by usually translating sub by epi (apo-)strepho [ajpostrevfw] (to turn about, or to turn away from). To be abandoned are both evil intentions and evil deeds, and both motive and conduct are to be radically changed. A striking example is found in Isaiah 1:16-17: "Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow."


One may detect two sides to this turning/converting. There is the free sovereign act of God's mercy, and a conscious decision to turn to God (a turning that goes beyond sorrow and contrition).
Confession of sins is both commanded and frequently illustrated (e.g., in the penitential prayers, as Pss. 25 and 51). When one is guilty of various sins, "he must confess in what way he has sinned" in order to receive atonement and forgiveness ( Lev 5:5 ; 26:40-42 ). Thus, confession belongs to repentance, and is needed for divine forgiveness (cf. 1 John 1:9 ). A great prophecy/ promise is given in the Book of Isaiah: "The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins" ( 59:20 ). This Redeemer foretold of in Isaiah is Yeshua or Jesus. See the fore told plan of salvation? "Those in Jacob (Israel) who repent (change their mind/heart/spirit/attitude/life/belief) about their spiritual condition of wicked sinful human being the Redeemer gave grace. This correlates tremendously with John 3:16 and its use in context with the conversation between Jesus Redeemer and a "religious" man of the day. The word believe- "Strong's Number: 4100

Original Word	Word Origin
pisteuvw	from (4102)
Transliterated Word	TDNT Entry
Pisteuo	6:174,849
Phonetic Spelling	Parts of Speech
pist-yoo'-o	Verb

Definition
to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in
of the thing believed
to credit, have confidence in a moral or religious reference
used in the NT of the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul
to trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something: saving faith Okay now, what was Jesus' message, His sermon He preached to the masses? Matthew 4:17 immediately after the wilderness testing Jesus began His message "17 From that time Jesus began to preach , and to say , Repent : for the kingdom of heaven is at hand ." Now let us move to the Apostle and see the Lord's message through His servant Paul, "21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 20:21 The very same Paul who would explain the mechanism for lack of better of a word of the legal part of salvation before the bar of justice of Holy God. "2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires\l " of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved ;) 6 And hath raised us up together , and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast . 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained\l " that we should walk in them." Clearly, any true spirit filled Believer in Christ can see there is no "cheap grace fire insurance." Jesus said repent, and believe, and His work, and His finished atonement, His grace, through your faith (belief and repentance) The Redeemer gives grace just as He promised He would in Ezekiel 18:30. Grace changes the heart and the desires of the heart, you cannot have the world and grace too, it one or the other. Christian what will you choose? The wide or the narrow? One is death, the other is life. The choice is yours, but remember His yoke is light and He has already paid the price, what is your choice? Self? Or Christ?

A Man after God's Own Heart

A Man after God's Own Heart

 

Jason Bryant

 

 

     King David, champion and only King of the united Kingdom of Israel.  David, the scrawny little shepherd boy, whom was overlooked in the eyes of men, including his father Jesse, his older brothers, and the King Saul.  He lives in Judeo-Christian hearts and folklore, but he comes to life in the living Word of God.  David the boy learned to protect and provide as a young shepherd, fighting off lions and bears, and tending his father's flock.  Being a shepherd was a job looked down upon by the elite of society in his days, just as it is in Middle Eastern culture today.  In the solitude of the Bethlehem hills and green fields, David's relationship and trust in the God of Israel, David's God.  This truth is evident as his father Jesse sent him on an errand to the valley of Elah, where his older brothers were stationed with the Army of Israel and King Saul.  The valley of the enemy would be a fitting name also, seeing how the Philistines  stood opposed across the valley with their champion of a giant in comparison to the Hebrew soldier.  Goliath, prideful, boasting challenged for any man to come forth and battle in place of a all out battle of armies.  As is with many current Believers, no on would step out and defend the honor of God, but David, youngest of males on the front lines posed a question of truth, and a challenge of faith to his Hebrew brethren.  Look here at recorded history the particulars of this story. "

^"26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
²⁷ And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.
²⁸ And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.
²⁹ And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
³⁰ And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.
³¹ And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.
³² And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
³³ And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
³⁴ And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
³⁵ And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
³⁶ Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
³⁷ David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.
³⁸ And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
³⁹ And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
⁴⁰ And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
⁴¹ And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.
⁴² And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.
⁴³ And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
⁴⁴ And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.
⁴⁵ Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
⁴⁶ This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
⁴⁷ And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands.
⁴⁸ And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
⁴⁹ And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
⁵⁰ So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
⁵¹ Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled."
     David would be anointed God's chosen king, the bloodline of Christ would flow from His veins, yet even after his faithfulness, David would be hunted down for years by his own father in law, after being named God's man...he would face struggles, but David trusted the Lord, because David knew the Lord.  Friend whatever battle you are facing, be obedient, defend the cause for Christ, and remember the battle belongs to the Lord.

On my heart has been the question, "What is Your will for me Father?" For months since surrendering to His call to teach and preach, I have sought His Will...in the Word, in prayer...through Godly counsel...then surrendered obedience He answered. He said, " Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." This is His primary will...Go and live out the Gospel..teach by living Truth...then He reveals His next steps of His will. Be obedient and folks He will guide your path. Its called trust...which the opposite is disobedient choices. Proverbs 3:5-6 should have a deeper meaning beloved. Don't beat the lost over the head with the Bible, they are condemned already. Serve them in love. Meet their needs where they are. NOW FOR PROFESSING CHRISTIANS GIVE THEM THE BIBLE IN LOVE,BE SURE YOU ARE OBEDIENT YOURSELF IF YOU DO! Happy Friday beloved and friends!

Today's Blog is courtesy of John W. Ritenbaugh
 Leviticus 2:2

(2) He shall bring it to Aaron"s sons, the priests, one of whom shall take from it his handful of fine flour and oil with all the frankincense. And the priest shall burn it as a memorial on the altar, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD.
New King James Version   Change Bible versions

Nearly forty times in the Old Testament, God declares how pleasing the aroma of a burnt offering is. This positive imagery of scent represents God's satisfaction in experiencing the proper worship of Him. In the meal offering, frankincense contributes to His satisfaction because it always accompanies the burnt offering.

Frankincense has a sweet fragrance, and honey a sweet taste, but the effect of heat—representing the pressure of trials—on them is vastly different. Heat corrupts, breaks down, and eventually destroys honey. This characteristic is probably why God did not permit its use in the sacrifices (Leviticus 2:11). However, frankincense does not release its greatest fragrance until heat is applied.

Incense has a long history of use in offerings to God. The priests used it daily on the incense altar, which stood directly in front of the curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Holies of Holies where the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's throne, stood. The incense billowed up in a smoky cloud, filling the rooms with a fragrant odor. On the Day of Atonement, the High Priest burned incense in the Holy of Holies itself before the Ark.

Isaiah 6:1, 4 describes the vision Isaiah saw of God's heavenly dwelling place:

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. . . . And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.

The imagery of the smoke of incense and its fragrance, representing the prayers of the saints is well known. For instance, Psalm 141:2 says, "Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." Revelation 5:8 confirms this: "Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."

However, in the context of the meal offering, incense carries additional significance because of its overall meaning of dedication in service to man. Notice Jesus' words in Matthew 13:20-21:

But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation of persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

Incense portrays a person's attitude during his trials endured in service to fellow man. A person might be all sweetness and light until the hardship of service hits him, and he grows bitter and turns aside.

Frequently, a Christian's trials involve people, often those close to him: relatives, business coworkers, or social acquaintances. Nothing is more consistently difficult than interpersonal relationships. Paul writes in Philippians 2:14-15, "Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world." He tells the Corinthians, ". . . nor murmur, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed by the destroyer" (I Corinthians 10:10). Finally, Peter advises, "Be hospitable to one another without grumbling" (I Peter 4:9). Frankincense represents the pleasant satisfaction God experiences when His children endure without grumbling the hardships of unstinting service, especially to their brethren.

— John W. Ritenbaugh