“FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART” January 31, 2019
Jealousy and envy are things common among those who are without Christ, and should be foreign to those who claim Christ as their Savior and Lord. Unfortunately, jealousy, envy, and the strife they cause are far too common among believers. This has always been a struggle among God’s people of Israel and the body of Christ even today. The reason for this can only be attributed to spiritual immaturity that is evidenced best in not following through with God’s commands and example through Jesus. The Apostle John raised the issue in a letter he sent to Gaius. “
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God” (3 John 9-11, NKJV).
There should be no threat of anyone else for the person who is in Christ. Those who are mature in their faith will comprehend that if the living and only true God they worship is who He claims to be, then they are loved more than they can know by the One who is in complete control (Psalm 29:1-11; Matthew 6:25-34). Jealousy, envy, and fear of others taking advantage of us is a false and useless fear that only distracts us from truth and drains precious energy needed in serving the Lord. Apostle Paul revealed the same problem of envy and strife to the Corinthian believers and proclaimed it as spiritual immaturity. “1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3, NKJV). This problem is still present today with the rivalry and competition that exists among pastors, congregations, and denominations alike. These things reveal the failure of God’s people to submit to Him in authentic worship throughout each day of their lives.
The body of Christ needs to take time to fast & pray before the Lord in confession of the lack of spiritual maturity in the church evidenced by the jealousy and envy which is present currently. These actions do not lift up the name of Christ but suppress the truth behind an image of self-righteousness as the Pharisees were guilty of in Christ’s day. Therefore, “12 …may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints” (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13, NKJV).
Praying beyond the physical: Father, reflect Your glory through me as I learn to trust You for tomorrow and today more than myself. Jesus, shine Your light through me as I learn to simply obey the Father in full contentment as You do. Spirit, reveal the Father’s character through me as I learn to let You have more control over me daily. Pastor Tom
