Part 21 – What It Means To Prepare for the 2nd Coming of Our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ
When a person starts knowing more about God, there is always the temptation to believe in the “self” so much. As a result, certain “Righteous Ways” are overlooked and/or disregarded. It is good to have Faith in God plus Talents plus some knowledge about God. But beware or be careful. The very reason why God advised Man to reflect and meditate is precisely for the purpose of not just knowing God a little. For example, there is a wrong attitude in the Way a believer should behave in the process of using knowledge. There is a Right Attitude. Jesus Christ showed that Righteous Way in His thoughts, Words, and Deeds.
Do you notice discussions among intellectuals are sometimes “Fault Finding” ? Such a wrong way irritates other people. Instead of uplifting them, they can be discouraged or disgusted. In other situations, knowledge tends to make a person engage in “self glorification”. Then discussions tend to be a boxing match or exhibition of knowledge to prove one’s intellect is better than the other.
Righteous Attitude According to St. Paul
Philippians 4:8 International Standard Version (ISV)
“8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—keep thinking about these things.”
Jesus had His thoughts focused on the kingdom of God for Man. Everything in the kingdom of God is excellent. When He shared Wisdom to others, it was done in the spirit of Truth, humility, and love. (John 13:1-7 / Matthew 20: 25-27 )
For example, consider the following Truth:
Proverbs 9:8 ISV International Standard Version
“Don’t rebuke a mocker or he will hate you. Rebuke a wise person, and he will love you.”
Colossians 3:13-15 International Standard Version (ISV)
“13 Be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, you also should forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which ties everything together in unity. 15 Let the peace of the Messiah also rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body, and be thankful.”
These Words of God do not apply only when the topic is about the Holy Bible. It should be in general, whenever dealing with others. Yet, in real life, we observe even those who have great knowledge struggle in the applications of these virtues. In politics, it is apparently worse.