Pathways For Sojourners

[Beetow]

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019) Rom 12:11a . . Be not slothful in business; fervent in spirit

According to its use in Matt 25:26-27, the Greek word for "slothful" indicates failure
to honor one's fiduciary responsibilities.

In other words: when people have put their trust in you, in whatever capacity or
circumstance: do not disappoint them, nor (God forbid) make lame excuses for
failing to deliver on your commitments.

"fervent in spirit" sort of means on fire-- i.e. earnestly dedicated and/or committed
--which is just the opposite of half-hearted, lukewarm and/or stone-walling and
procrastination.
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[Beetow]

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020) Rom 12:12a . . Be glad for all God is planning for you.

Christians unsure of their afterlife destination cannot-- in all honesty and a good
conscience --comply with that rule. For all they know, God has outer darkness
planned for them. That's not something to be glad about.

There are obvious benefits to a permanent association with God; most especially
resurrection to a superior body and perpetual youth. But those aren't the end-all.

While we may not know all that God has in mind for us; we can take comfort in
knowing God is involved in our lives for our good, though for now it may not seem
that way.
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[Beetow]

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021) Rom 12:12b . . Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful.

Job's circumstances gave him plenty of reasons to criticize God and to be upset
with the quality of His providence.

● Job 1:21-22 . . I came naked from my mother's womb, and I will be stripped of
everything when I die. Yahweh gave me everything I had, and He has taken it
away. Praise the name of The Lord. In all of this, Job did not sin by accusing God of
wrongdoing.

● Job 2:9-10. . His wife said to him: Are you still trying to maintain your integrity?
Curse God and die. But Job replied: You talk like a godless woman. Should we
accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad? So in all
this, Job said nothing wrong.

Troubles are often made bearable by a confidant; someone with whom we can
safely share every aspect of our distress. God is of course the first choice for that
purpose because He not only has a sympathetic ear but is also able to sufficiently
strengthen His own during their troubles to prevent them from jumping off a bridge
or drowning themselves in the bathtub.

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have
a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one
who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-- yet was without sin. Let us
then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy
and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Heb 4:14-16)

The Greek word translated "confidence" basically means all out-spokenness, i.e.
frank, blunt, and/or candid. In other words: in our hour of desperation, we should
not address God with a rote prayer, instead; we ought to speak from our heart. I
mean, after all; we're not dealing with a totem pole rather, with a rational, sensible
being whose IQ exceeds us all.
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[Beetow]

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022) Rom 12:13a . . Share with God's people who are in need.

The Jews are God's people in accordance with an unconditional covenant that He
made with Abraham. (Gen 17:7-8)

NOTE: Nazi Germany was very nearly 99% Christian. Had they all complied with
Rom 12:13a, the effects of the Holocaust would've no doubt been greatly reduced.
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[Beetow]

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023) Rom 12:13b . . Practice hospitality.

Webster's defines hospitable as:

1_ given to generous and cordial reception of guests
2_ promising or suggesting generous and cordial welcome
3_ offering a pleasant or sustaining environment.

In other words; a hospitable person is civil, courteous, thoughtful, easy on one's
nerves, helpful, non threatening, non confrontational, non militant, non reactive,
non defensive, approachable, accommodating, and relaxing to be with.
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[Beetow]

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024) Rom 12:14 . . Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

The Greek word for "persecute" basically means to pursue; i.e. to hound and/or
harass. In other words; a persecuting personality is one whose mission in life is to
ruin somebody's day at every opportunity.

The Greek word for "curse" is from a Greek word meaning to execrate.

Bless is from a Greek word that basically means to invoke a benediction, e.g.

"Good Morning."
"Live long and prosper."
"Have a nice day."
"Good Luck!"
"Bon Voyage!"
"Buen Camino." (Spanish: Pleasant Journey)
"Nya:weh" (Seneca: Thank You)
"Happy Birthday."
"Keep the clean side up, and the dirty side down." (CB radio jargon)
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