BusyBody

Dear Friend,
How are you? Hope you’re well.
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Have you ever thought of Christians who don’t walk in love, truth and light? Some might be blinded by self-centeredness, selfishness and/or self-pity. Others might still love the world, covetous and prideful. I do not think I love the world, but I’m still struggling with “self,” as I don’t think I’ve died on the cross and Christ lives in me all the time.

Yet, when I see some Christians who are selfish, covetous and so on, I would think of 1 Cor. 3:9~15:  
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 
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On that Day, it will all appear.  We wouldn’t lose salvation, even if we did something wrong. Adultery, theft, lie, even murder was forgiven by the precious blood of Jesus. We already saw King David’s sins were forgiven in the old testament. How much more after our Lord died on the cross for us, when we repent? Yet, our house in heaven built on our Lord would have different materials. Some will be with precious materials that won’t be burnt away, but others will be. So, I hold onto this promise, and press forward to having a house with precious materials in the heaven. I don’t want to be homeless or have a home with the foundation only. But, one day I thought to myself, “What if the persons who wronged me repented, and the Father forgave them completely? He is merciful, as He forgave all of my sins! No way! I wish they would receive the consequences of their sins in the heaven!” It was my honest thought, and it was who I am. I didn’t want their houses built with bling-bling stuffs. I would think to myself on that day, if I would see their houses with wood, hay, straw, “I told you so. You were not listening.” Then, I thought, “I am supposed to bless and pray for them here on earth? Then, they might repent, and the Father would forgive them.” I was surprised to find myself discomforted over that.  I was reminded of a movie that I didn’t watch, but heard of the story from a pastor’s sermon:
Christian parents had a tragedy. A murder kidnapped their kid and killed him or her. It took long for them to forgive the murderer. But one day, the parents wanted to visit the jail, to see him. They wanted to forgive him. Then, they found out he had peace. He said to them that he met the Lord in jail, and He forgave his sin. It made the parents discomforted and angry. 
Maybe the story may not be all correct from my recollection. Anyway, this story came into my mind. Then, I also came to be reminded of the story of a prodigal son in Luke, which I listened to a few days back. When the prodigal son came back to his father’s house and the father threw a party for him, his older son became angry:
“But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’
“And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. (Luke 15:28~31)”
I found myself just like the older son, who didn’t realize all that the Father has is his. He’s in the Father’s business and he’s a successor. But, he was jealous and self-righteous. I used to say to the Father, “Father, You’re my inheritance. You’re my portion. There’s nothing I would desire in heaven and earth.” That’s right. I began to realize that I don’t have to be a busybody:
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. (1 Peter 4:15)
Whether it’s on earth or in heaven, I should not be a busybody. The matters between God and His other children are none of my business. To me, my God is enough. All that He has is mine. And I have Him. He only is my inheritance and portion. He’s my heavenly reward.

Writing this blog, I came to think of a picture of a notebook. It has a girl holding a book close to her face and reading it, and it says, “It’s better to put your nose in a book than in someone else’s business.” It resonates with me. I only have to put my nose in the Book of Life and to see and meet Him.

Friend,
I do not believe you’re a busybody as I was. But, just in case, I hope this gave you some thoughts and blesses you. 

Have a bliss!
Julie

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1)