To Be or Not to Be, That is the Question. Bees to Avoid.

We have begun a New Year. Some look forward to the New Year with a measure of expectation, hoping for something better than the occurrences of last year. Some face the New Year with a bit of trepidation and anxiety, somewhat fearful of what will be. The last few articles on the subject of “To Be or Not to Be” have been about the BE Commands which should BE incorporated into our thinking and actions, attitudes and behaviors. Of course, we haven’t fully covered all of those ‘Bees’. But now let’s talk about those ‘Be Nots’ of GOD’s Divine Will. I enjoy watching honeybees diligently working at a flowering plant. As I watch them, I do my best not to disturb them. So, I avoid any interaction which they might consider as a threat. We may SEE immoral and unscriptural behaviors, but we must do our best to avoid getting caught up in those behaviors. Ephesian 5 begins with the admonition to BE Imitators of GOD, as beloved children. The first point of being imitators of GOD is to walk in LOVE, a sacrificial kind of LOVE. This is TRUE LOVE. Paul then contrasts GOD’s type of LOVE with what some people call love. This includes sexual immorality and all impurity, which involves LUST not LOVE. He also includes covetousness, which is the love of things and acquiring things. Again, that’s not really love, it is another form of LUST. I have never seen a command from CHRIST to take a vow of poverty or live monastically out of fear of ‘slipping up’ or ‘falling short’. We are greatly encouraged to develop appropriate, godly love and grow in self-control. 2Timothy 1:7 “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” By adding power, I think he is saying GOD, through HIS WORD has given us ability to discern the difference between love and lust and the ability to learn and use self-control. Let’s get a good start as we kick off this New Year. Let GOD’s WORD be our source of guidance, discernment, and self-evaluation. Holy New Year.

Russell Ashby