We're Not the Same
Before we get started. I have a disclaimer: This may be a little different than last week.
God is still downloading this message in me. As a matter of fact, this may seem to be a little bit like a rebuke. But I'm here to address this thing of jealousy.
Along with jealousy and bitterness comes ignorance. Yes, ignorance. Hear me out. Jealous people are some of the most ignorant people. Ignorance at its core means lacking knowledge. Jealous people are jealous of people and they have no idea what that person has gone through. They have no idea what kind of seeds had to be sown.They have no idea what is required of them.
To whom much is given, much is required. What did your life require of you?
Then with ignorance comes lying. When people start trying to figure out how others got to where they are, people start making assumptions and lying. How many times have you heard that a woman slept her way to the top? A lot of times, those stories start with the "I bet she did this." Then, the "I bet" falls off and it's like it becomes fact.
Look at the story of Joseph in Genesis 37, Joseph did not do anything but share his vision with people who were supposed to care about him.It was not his fault that God gave him the dreams and visions that he had. The only thing Joseph did was work in excellence. Scripture says that Jacob's siblings were doing bad things. I never noticed that part of the text until today. Yes, Joseph was wrong for telling, but him telling does not negate the fact that his siblings were not working in excellence.
You cannot sow hatred and piss poor service and expect to "reap the benefits," as my cousin would say, the same benefits that someone who is pouring in the exact opposite. It does not work that way.
Need another example? Cain and Abel (Genesis 4)Cain was jealous of Abel because Abel worshiped God in such a way that was more pleasing to God in such a way that God only accepted Abel's offering. That is not Abel's fault. Cain had the same opportunity What each of them gave was completely independent of the others.
The Lord literally told Him what to do in verses 6-7.
God says if you love me, you'll keep my commandments. So this jealousy that Cain had is his own doing. God wouldn't have rejected his offering had he given his best, like Abel did.
The only thing that was unequal was the level of relationship and that was because of the level of obedience. I love my parents so I do what they ask of me. As much as my parents may get on my nerves, if they tell me to go to the store or do something for my grandma, if I'm able to do it, I do it. Now anybody off the street, nope. Because my level of relationship is different.
You cannot get mad with God or anybody else because they have received a blessing. They've been doing right by God this whole time while others have been throwing him to the wayside. They've put more value on the relationship. They know their standing with Him.
I hate to put it this way because I really hate the "I'm better than you" concept, but back in the day one of my favorite shows was The Game and in one of the first episodes they explained the hierarchy: wives, fiancee, girlfriends. When you have solidified your position you get the benefits.
Too many are having one night stands and spiritual quickies with God and are expecting the same benefits of people with lifelong relationships with Him. We're not the same.
We are not the same. People do right by their pastors and leaders because they think that will give them notoriety while others serve because they are honoring their spiritual parents. Some people serve God because they want something in turn, but then there are others who serve because they know that they can't live without Him. We are not the same.
The key here is my people. Where I'm from, "my people" means people that we have a connection with. When their your people you hold them at a different standard. For example, my framily growing up. Yes framily--friends that were like family. My framily all lived by the statement "protect at any cost" and that's what we did. We had that similar mindset. I wouldn't dare put my neck on the line for any random out there in the streets. But my family? I'd kill for them. No questions asked.
But see that's my people is so important. When you are God's people you reverance Him. You honor Him with your life. What does that mean? That means you turn for your wicked ways. But too many people don't hold God at a high enough standard to do what He commands.
You cannot live like hell and expect God to open the windows of heaven. It don't work like that. This is not a substance and druggie relationship. This perfect love! But the problem here is that you've used and abused your relationship with God as if He doesn't know what you're doing.
But you don't have to stay that way, so I suggest that you move from that state and get in right standing with God so that we can be one in the same.
God is still downloading this message in me. As a matter of fact, this may seem to be a little bit like a rebuke. But I'm here to address this thing of jealousy.
James 3:16 New Living Translation (NLT)
16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.
Jealousy is one of the ugliest traits a person can have. Jealousy honestly brings out some of the worst parts of people. Why? Because jealousy is a part of a comorbidity. Think about it--Most people that are jealous are also bitter because life didn't go the way they wanted in any capacity. Along with jealousy and bitterness comes ignorance. Yes, ignorance. Hear me out. Jealous people are some of the most ignorant people. Ignorance at its core means lacking knowledge. Jealous people are jealous of people and they have no idea what that person has gone through. They have no idea what kind of seeds had to be sown.They have no idea what is required of them.
Job 5:2 New Living Translation (NLT)
2 Surely resentment destroys the fool,
and jealousy kills the simple.
and jealousy kills the simple.
To whom much is given, much is required. What did your life require of you?
Then with ignorance comes lying. When people start trying to figure out how others got to where they are, people start making assumptions and lying. How many times have you heard that a woman slept her way to the top? A lot of times, those stories start with the "I bet she did this." Then, the "I bet" falls off and it's like it becomes fact.
Proverbs 19:5 New Living Translation (NLT)
5 A false witness will not go unpunished,
nor will a liar escape.
nor will a liar escape.
Look at the story of Joseph in Genesis 37, Joseph did not do anything but share his vision with people who were supposed to care about him.It was not his fault that God gave him the dreams and visions that he had. The only thing Joseph did was work in excellence. Scripture says that Jacob's siblings were doing bad things. I never noticed that part of the text until today. Yes, Joseph was wrong for telling, but him telling does not negate the fact that his siblings were not working in excellence.
Galatians 6:7-9 New Living Translation (NLT)
7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
You cannot sow hatred and piss poor service and expect to "reap the benefits," as my cousin would say, the same benefits that someone who is pouring in the exact opposite. It does not work that way.
Need another example? Cain and Abel (Genesis 4)Cain was jealous of Abel because Abel worshiped God in such a way that was more pleasing to God in such a way that God only accepted Abel's offering. That is not Abel's fault. Cain had the same opportunity What each of them gave was completely independent of the others.
The Lord literally told Him what to do in verses 6-7.
Genesis 4:6-7 New Living Translation (NLT)
6 “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected?7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”
However, Cain couldn't be obedient. It's that simple. Obedience is better than sacrifice. It does not matter that Cain offered his crops as a sacrifice. What matters is that God told Him to do something and he did not do it. Isaiah 1:19 New Living Translation (NLT)
19 If you will only obey me,
you will have plenty to eat.
you will have plenty to eat.
God says if you love me, you'll keep my commandments. So this jealousy that Cain had is his own doing. God wouldn't have rejected his offering had he given his best, like Abel did.
The only thing that was unequal was the level of relationship and that was because of the level of obedience. I love my parents so I do what they ask of me. As much as my parents may get on my nerves, if they tell me to go to the store or do something for my grandma, if I'm able to do it, I do it. Now anybody off the street, nope. Because my level of relationship is different.
You cannot get mad with God or anybody else because they have received a blessing. They've been doing right by God this whole time while others have been throwing him to the wayside. They've put more value on the relationship. They know their standing with Him.
I hate to put it this way because I really hate the "I'm better than you" concept, but back in the day one of my favorite shows was The Game and in one of the first episodes they explained the hierarchy: wives, fiancee, girlfriends. When you have solidified your position you get the benefits.
Too many are having one night stands and spiritual quickies with God and are expecting the same benefits of people with lifelong relationships with Him. We're not the same.
We are not the same. People do right by their pastors and leaders because they think that will give them notoriety while others serve because they are honoring their spiritual parents. Some people serve God because they want something in turn, but then there are others who serve because they know that they can't live without Him. We are not the same.
2 Chronicles 7:14 New Living Translation (NLT)
14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
The key here is my people. Where I'm from, "my people" means people that we have a connection with. When their your people you hold them at a different standard. For example, my framily growing up. Yes framily--friends that were like family. My framily all lived by the statement "protect at any cost" and that's what we did. We had that similar mindset. I wouldn't dare put my neck on the line for any random out there in the streets. But my family? I'd kill for them. No questions asked.
But see that's my people is so important. When you are God's people you reverance Him. You honor Him with your life. What does that mean? That means you turn for your wicked ways. But too many people don't hold God at a high enough standard to do what He commands.
You cannot live like hell and expect God to open the windows of heaven. It don't work like that. This is not a substance and druggie relationship. This perfect love! But the problem here is that you've used and abused your relationship with God as if He doesn't know what you're doing.
But you don't have to stay that way, so I suggest that you move from that state and get in right standing with God so that we can be one in the same.
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