1st Peter 4:15. “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil doer, or as a busybody in other men” BUSYBODY. “Why, you really must do something now!” “Do you know what she did?” Mary said to Jed, “Now Mary, just wait, are you sure it was a date? Or did they have just another sick cow?”
“Jed! Don’t make fun, I am sure she was gone Much longer than to tend to a beast! She left home at eight, and it was very late – I am sure it was two in the morning at least!”
A day or two later, the rights of the matter, Came out in the open so clear. Franklin’s mother took sick, at a quarter to six, And she called for one she knew really cared.
When one’s nose is so long, they don’t know right from wrong, That is a person you cannot truly trust. Their words are like cancer; think they have the answer – But didn’t figure out the problem at the first.
Lord, help me remain silent in spite of what I think – To say nothing until folks need my assistance. Until their call comes, please keep me at home, And while there to mind my own business.
“O all-knowing God; You know every situation. Keep me from jumping to conclusions. Help me keep the door of my lips sealed when they should be. Keep me from sinning with words. Assist me to be ready to help and to refrain from being nosey. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
The word "Christian" was first given to disciples in Antioch as a term of derision and persecution. They were learners of Christ who were known among themselves as "brethren" or "saints." This is not a word of which we need to be embarrassed, but rather a title we can and should bear with dignity and honor. To be a follower of Christ in the early days of the church and be called a Christian, was used as a scornful word. By the time the second generation of Christians were saved, it was a title of honor. The word has been demeaned in the world today because it is applied to all kind of things; such as Christian school, Christian religion, Christian books and songs. Many who attend a Christian church whether they are born again or not, consider themselves Christians. To be loyal to Christ in adversity and to keep on doing what is right according to the scriptures, may bring some form of suffering even from those who claim to be Christians.
"Judgment in the house of God" is not to condemn the Lord's people but to instruct, purify and correct us by some form of discipline. By the testing of divine discipline, we learn our own potential for sinning has not been eradicated. We are not sinless people. When corrective measures are taken, we learn to depend on the Lord and to resist sin and its temptations. We are helped by "judgment" that means the future may be even more difficult than the present. But because of the "judgment" we are more prepared to face the future, be faithful to the Lord and to trust Him when we accept the discipline He sends with grace and faith. Our salvation is only because of God's mercy. How serious it is when a person rejects that mercy and rejects Christ! There will be justice and judgment done when the "ungodly and sinner" come before the great white throne and then are cast into the lake of fire. It is there where the ungodly and the sinner will appear. The quotation from Proverbs would have clarified for those early Christians, the same as for us today, that God is in control and righteous justice will prevail for saints and sinners.