Really?
How dangerous can this dog be? Look at that pose; to describe it in a
word- SUBMISSIVE. Yet the property owner would have you beware?
I don’t believe that for a minute. The sad fact is that “people
lie”. They do this for all sorts of reasons, all of them misguided
(at best). If someone were to describe you, what would they say?
Hopefully, it would be something positive, but what if it was very
negative, but untrue. In thinking about this, I remembered a
passage from the book of Acts…
Acts
28 ( World English
Bible )
[16]
When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to
the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself
with the soldier who guarded him.
[17] It happened that after three days Paul called together those who
were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to
them, “I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people,
or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from
Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, [18] who, when they had
examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of
death in me. [19] But when the Jews spoke against it, I was
constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which
to accuse my nation. [20] For this cause therefore I asked to see you
and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound
with this chain.” [21] They said to him, “We neither received
letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come
here and report or speak any evil of you. [22] But we desire to
hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect,
it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.”
[23] When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at
his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about the Kingdom of
God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses
and from the prophets, from morning until evening. [24] Some believed
the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.
Paul
was a Christian, a follower of Jesus called Christ. Unfortunately,
many of the Jews would simply not accept the facts about Jesus. They
spoke against Jesus and his followers and their hate led to
persecution of good people trying to be faithful to God. Today,
unbelieving people are beginning to do the same, especially in the
media. However, the fact is that genuine Christians are very good
people. I don’t care what people say, what signs they may make;
look at what Christians do and decide for yourself. Jesus said the
following words:
Matthew
5 (WEB)
[10] Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’
sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
[11] “Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and
say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [12] Rejoice,
and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that
is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
[13] “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its
flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but
to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.
[14] You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t
be hidden. [15] Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a
measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the
house. [16] Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may
see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
To
my fellow Christians, I say: No matter what people may say or do to
you, be everything Jesus wants you to be, regardless of cost and you
will be truly blessed.