Beyond Envy

We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in futility and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about! - Romans 13:13-14

Because we are frail, imperfect human beings, we are sometimes envious of others. But God's Word warns us that envy is sin. Thus, we must guard ourselves against the natural tendency to feel resentment and jealousy when other people experience good fortune.

As believers, we have absolutely no reason to be envious of any people on earth. After all, as Christians we are already recipients of the greatest gift in all creation: God's grace. We have been promised the gift of eternal life through God's only begotten Son, and we must count that gift as our most precious possession.

So here's a surefire formula for a happier, healthier life: Count your own blessings and let your neighbors count theirs. It's the godly way to live.
#alln4Jesus

Prayer from the Blogger:
Father, we always find ourselves in trouble when we focus on the things You have not given us. Help us to keep in focus the things that You have made available to us. Help us to see Your goodness in the gifts we have, and not the bitterness of envy that caused the deceiver to rebel against You and be cast from Your the presence of Your throne. Make us more like Christ daily.
Amen

Digging Deeper:
Read Romans 13:8-14
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2013:8-13&version=NLT
1. How do you love yourself?
2. Do you love others in the same exact way?

Digging Even Deeper:
http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/45-106/put-on-the-lord-jesus-christ--part-1
http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/45-107/put-on-the-lord-jesus-christ-part-2