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Don’t be agitated by evildoers, and don’t envy the wicked. For the evil have no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out. Proverbs 24:19-20

kit: Harvest Gold by Optic Illusions; template: challenge Freebie by Optic Illusions

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality. Romans 2:4-11

Also see Psalm 37, 73.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." Matthew 25:1-13

Remember, the "cure" for foolishness is WISDOM - that's why Jesus contrasts the foolish and the wise in the above parable. (Do a Bible search of the Book of Proverbs for the words "wisdom," "wise," "fool", "folly," and "foolish.") Jesus is teaching that it's not enough to CLAIM to believe, yet to live unchanged, the same as before coming to Him for salvation. (John 5:14, 8:11, Luke 5:32 - "to repentance" - Rom. 8:9, 2Cor. 13:5, Titus 1:16, 2Pet. 2:18-22) His lessons were presented in various ways so that people "with ears to hear" could understand. (Matt. 11:25-26, 25:29, Luke 10:21, 19:26, also read all of Matt. 13, Mark 4:1-33, Luke 8:4-21.)

Jesus taught a similar lesson below, again contrasting the foolish and the wise. I'm including the context so that we can see how serious this is. If we're listening to "scribes" who don't even know what the Bible they're teaching says (or "hirelings" who don't really care for the sheep, but whose goal is to profit financially - John 10:12-13, Acts 20:29-31, 2Pet. 2:1-3, 3:2-3, 2Tim. 4:1-2, 3-5, Jude 1:4, Rom. 16:18-19), who teach messages out of context, which conflict with what was taught by Jesus, we should wake up and read the Bible for ourselves. (Matt. 24:36-41, 42-51, Mark 13:32-37, Luke 21:34-36, 1John 2:26-29, 1Tim. 6:3-21, Rev. 3:2-3, 4-6, 2:21-23, 21:7-8, 22:14-15, 2Pet. 3:14-15, 16, 17-18) The foolish virgins who were not ready to go in when the Bridegroom arrived, but let their lamps go out, returned later and were STILL not known by Him.

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. Matthew 7:13-29

Jesus' Spirit dwells in those who truly believe, and those believers bear the fruit of His Spirit by yielding to Him instead of to their old sinful flesh that must die in order to live by the Spirit. (Rom. 6, 7:4-6, Rom. 8:5-19, Gal. 5:13-15, 16-18, 19-21, 22-23, 24-25, 1Cor. 6:15-20, 9-10, 1Thess. 4:1-3, 4-5, 6-8, Col. 3:5-11, 1Pet. 4:1-7, 2Cor. 5:14-15, Heb. 3:12-13, 14, 1Pet. 2:11-12, Rom. 13:13-14, Eph. 4:30, 1Thess. 5:19) Some passages apply to BOTH our walk in the present age in our bodies of flesh AND the future redemption and resurrection of our bodies to become imperishable. (1Cor. 15:50-58, 2Cor. 5:1-5, Titus 2:12, Rom. 6:6, 12-13, 19, 8:11-13, Col. 3:2-8) Those who LOVE Him will OBEY Him as LORD and Savior - He is never just one or the other, but always BOTH. (John 14:15-26, 15:8-14, 8:31-36, Acts 2:36, Rom. 10:8-10, 1Pet. 1:14-19, 2Pet. 1:3-15, 1Cor. 2:9, John 14:1-3, Jam. 1:12, 2:5)

The word "firstfruits" below is often translated as "beginning," however, it has a deeper meaning than that. It's the same word used for firstfruits in Lev. 2:12 and 23:10. Healthy respect and reverence for God YIELDS fruit - which is the beginning of the harvest of righteousness.

The fear of the LORD is the firstfruits of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! Psalm 111:10

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:13-18 (Note that "peace" doesn't mean loving the wicked ways of the fallen world and approving of sin. Rom. 1:32, Psa. 1:1-6, 50:16-23, 1John 2:15-17, Jam. 4:4-7, John 15:18-21, 1John 3:12-13, Matt. 5:9-16, Eph. 4:15-5:17, 2Tim. 3:12-19, 1Pet. 4:12-19, 1Cor. 9:24-10:13, Phil. 3:17-21, 2Thess. 2:9-12)

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:17

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:5-6 (Also see Mark 9:50, Luke 14:34-35, Rom. 12:1-2, Heb. 5:14.)

Jesus is Lord of the Harvest and He is not interested in harvesting "weeds." (Luke 10:2, Matt. 13:30, 40-43, 1John 3:8-10, 2:3-6, John 15:1-10) Some who truly believe, but didn't have the wisdom to yield to the Spirit, will find their "works" burnt up instead of receiving an eternal reward (above and beyond salvation) for their faithful service. (1Cor. 3:12-20, Col. 3:23-26, Matt. 25:21, Luke 19:17) It gives Jesus great glory, honor and pleasure to bestow these rewards. If we truly LOVE Him, then we will want to live in such a way as to be worthy so that we don't rob Him of HIS joy, honor and glory. (Eph. 4:1, Phil. 1:27-30, Col. 1:10, 1Thess. 2:12, 2Pet. 1:10-11)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. Hebrews 12:1-17

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. Titus 2:11-15

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. Titus 3:3-8 (Also see Eph. 2:8-9, 10, Gal. 6:7-9, Heb. 6:11-12, 2Cor. 9:6-7, 1Pet. 4:8-11, 1John 3:23-24.)

If Jesus is the HEAD of His Body, the Church (all who truly believe), and He IS, then He will have control of that Body. Imagine if our own physical bodies did whatever they pleased and ignored our will (and the self-control our minds were trying to supply). How awful would that be? How much more so if those who profess to be members of the Body of Christ are not interested in pleasing Him and doing His will? If He isn't in control of His Body, then how is He Lord? It's common sense. If we're called to be willing to suffer for His sake, how will we ever get to the point of being able to do that if we're not even willing to give up our favorite sins for His sake (and the good of His Body - 1Cor. 5:7-13)? (Matt. 10:37-40, Matt. 10:28-33, Luke 12:4-9, 1Pet. 2:19-23, 3:14-20, 4:12-19, 5:8-11, Rom. 8:17-18, 12:12, 2Cor. 1:3-7, Phil. 1:29-30, 3:8-16, 2Thess. 1:5, 2Tim. 1:8-10, 2:3-7, 4:5, Heb. 10:32-39, Acts 5:41, Jam. 5:10-11, Rev. 2:10)

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Philippians 2:12-16 (Also see Eph. 5:10, Rom. 12:2, 7:4, 2Cor. 5:14-15)

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 1 Corinthians 12:4-13, 18, 27

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. Colossians 1:24-29

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:22-33

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