Why Can't We All Just Get Along?

In our family business, a marina, we have a way we conduct ourselves. Some traditions or customs were handed down from our dad. Some rules were made for specific problems, like, clean up after "your dog". Some rules are for our customers personal safety, no running on the docks or riding bikes, some for their boats protection, six lines (ropes) required to tie up your boat. Some rules are for general safety and all benefit, no open fires on boats, no fire works, no fueling your boat in your well.

One rule we follow is that we sell bathhouse keys to our customers. One day a customer came in ranting, “You charge me all this money for a dock and you can't throw in a bath house key, how cheap is that?" I always consciously try to conduct myself as a Christian, not saying I'm perfect, but I do try. I understood the what and why of his complaint, I thought for a moment and answered, for better or worse, "On my part or yours?" He started to say something and stopped himself mid-word. His continence change and he said, "Touché". I then explained why we do it the way we do. Not that how we do it is so wise, it just sort of makes sense, which is why we do it.

This post isn't really about me, my work or a bathhouse key. It's about God and Godliness. Why is it that men resist truth? Sometimes it's because they don't like the deliverer. He sounds prideful. He won't listen to reason. He thinks that he is right and everyone else is wrong. He doesn't think that my point is valid. He won't let me get the last word. Whatever! Not considering that the measure that they themselves measure with is vain. The love of truth is not subject to opinion. Truth is truth. The love of truth is beyond the emotion of mans understanding of the word love. Truth is Jesus. His way is truth; the Holy Spirit leads to that truth. The Hour of Temptation will divide who has truth, and everyone else.

If the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have allowed his house to be broken through. Oh, so we are watching, but, except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman watches, but in vain. Point being, foolish virgins are watching, but they are not built on what is acceptable, they are built on vanity, though they are watching, the house will fall anyway. Apart from the confidence of hearing the Holy Spirit for yourself all the scriptures you are built on will not stand because you have built with self-righteous vanity, the pride of your own design. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD ponders their heart. There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

As Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do all who resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. To God it is rebellion. They by reason of pride thought that their birthright gave them place in God. God alone appoints His anointed. We don't have a say because we think, or want, to be truth bearers. Truth itself reveals who is truthful. The Holy Spirit leads to and gives all truth, and bears witness to truth, speaker and hearer alike. As a carnal attempt is to keep the law so is our attempt to understand truth apart from the Holy Spirit. Our attempts may be well intentioned in our minds, but not acceptable to God because it's not His way. If this is true, carnal understanding, the milk of the Word always gives way to the Holy Spirit, the final authority of truth, God's wisdom and direction, and it must be just this way.

But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed one of another. In the search for truth we often cross swords with man. Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. But if one speaks truth and the other opinion apart from the Holy Spirit, whose responsibility is it to recognize truth? I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Be instant in season (In the Spirit), out of season (back to earth); reprove (disprove, point out error), rebuke (correct by love or fear), exhort (encourage those who love truth) with all long suffering and doctrine (line upon line as the Spirit gives utterence). For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

"Christians" (so called, whose hearts are toward; debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults) will marvel and say, How does this guy know this, Does he (or she) have a PhD. or are they a theologian, do they have a degree? That person will answered them, and say, my doctrine is not mine, but His (the Fathers) that sent me. If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. The Spirit itself bearing witness with our spirit, if we are the children of God. Therefore seek the Kingdom of God on the path to God. Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, (if it bears witness of the Holy Spirit) think on these things.

Micah 7:1 Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit. 2The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net. 3That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up. 4The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity. 5Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. 6For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house.

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. The sons and daughters of God came eating and drinking, and they said, Look at that, my oh my, self righteous, and a closed minded people, Holy Rollers and tongue talkers. But wisdom is justified of her children. Concerning them that would seduce you. If the anointing (Holy Spirit) which you have received of Him (Jesus) abides in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing (Holy Spirit) teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it (the Holy Spirit) has taught you, you are able to abide in him. Now, saints of God, abide in him; that, when He (Jesus) shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at his coming, you will bear the down payment receipt of the purchase by the Father.

I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. God in His wisdom has reasons why there is a way, truth and life. To the wise, it's the joy of our life to please our Father, and health to our bones. To the foolish, if for no other reason than to separate, God's wisdom is evident and choices are made.

Oh, by the way that bathhouse key customer always looks for me just to say "Hi". Apparently he wasn't offended and accepted our ways, he has bought keys every year for many years since, thank you Lord.

L,J,P&HG
Dave