Don't Hate

For whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men.  
1 Corinthians 3:3

We are called to rejoice with those who rejoice.  While we all are aware of that fact, the truth of the matter is that that is not always easy.  It especially is not easy when someone gets the promotion, recognition, or child that you desire or have been believing God for.  Our desires though, must never consume us to the point that they become priority and cause us to act angrily towards the people that have received them before us or even God.  Our priority in life should ALWAYS be God.  Matthew 6:33 says to seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.  We are to seek God not because all other things will be added but because He is God and worthy to be sought and desired!  Verse 25 of Matthew 6 teaches us that life is more than the things we seek.  True life is found in a relationship with God!  After relationship with God is established however, “all these things will be added unto you.”  Notice that relationship with God is primary and the secondary things are added to what after the primary is established.  For example, if you have a house, the furniture that is placed into each room is merely added unto the house while the house itself is the primary object.  Next, as previously stated, we must not become jealous or angry towards those who realize the physical manifestation of their desires before us.  Ask for God’s help in this area as far as not becoming angry if necessary.  We are “The Body” and “the body is not one member, but many.”  My success is your success and vice-versa.  Think about your natural body for a moment.  Your ankle for example, does not get jealous because one of the fingers has a new ring.  Your ear does not get envious because the waist has a new belt.  Individual parts of your physical body do not get jealous over things acquired or promotions in other parts of the body because promotions in one part of the body enhance the body overall.  The ankle rejoices when one of the fingers gets a new ring because it makes the whole body look good and the ear is happy when the waist acquires a new belt because it too shares in the glory of the waist.  Similarly, remember that when one member of the Body of Christ is promoted, it benefits the Body overall and makes everyone look good!  Know today that you do not have to be jealous of anyone because God has great things in store for you and is ready to bring them to pass.  David wrote,” I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13, NLT).  Also remember that your relationship with God is primary and God has preordained everything else to flow out of that sincere relationship!