On the Cross, Jesus shared some of His “Last words” which include…
“Father forgive them they know not what they do…”
“Behold your mother.”
I remember my own dear dad’s “last words” to me, though at the time I did not know nor did he, that they would be, as he passed away within weeks of those words which are etched in my mind, and encourage me. I am reminded of the words of another friend to me, whom I visited before the Lord took him. They were given to encourage me to continue on sharing the Gospel,”You need to be courageous to continue to preach the Gospel,” he said.
Words can build up or tear down, impart life or destruction. They are so so revealing of our heart when spoken. They reveal what is going on in our heart. Your Words reveal your heart, as do mine! Regarding your words conveyed, do you ask yourself, “Are they pleasing and acceptable to The LORD?”-{Read Psalm 19:4}
I shared with my two young family members to choose their words wisely and remember one day, the words you share will be ” your Last words,” and what words would you want to leave others with? I used to say, “if you can’t build up, shut up! We can all say, when hurt, angry, words that tear down and say “Well, I was just sharing what was on my mind,” as though that is “justification,” for sinful behavior!
Sometimes you need to first THINK before you “give people a piece of your mind.”– We do not need to share what is on our mind if it is sinful and not loving! Sometimes its easy to take the LORD’S name in vain, that is use it in a way that distorts, dishonors His Name- His character- by misusing His Word to get over a point to put down someone! Evil! But such are our heart’s at times, “But God…” has a wonderful passage that says “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God “in Christ,” also has forgiven you.”- {Eph 4:29-32}.
People do not need a “piece of your mind,” but the mind of Christ as revealed in His Word! And in reality we each need to have our mind renewed according to his Word. so we get His view on how we are to live in such a way that honors Him and builds others up! -{Read Rom 12:1-3; Eph 4:29}…
THINK RIGHT; “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. “- {Phil 4:8}
DO RIGHT; “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”-{Phil 4:9.}
Note v 9- what we are to model and also we are to look at those who model v 8 and copy their pattern…Be an example, follow a Godly example-
Think right…
Do Right…
Model right…
Follow the Right Model.
No, it is not perfection but a new direction…begins with thinking and worked out in practice the way we love, the way we live, what we say, how we say it, the tone we use.
One day will be your “last words,” make sure you leave others with that which IS LOVING and which is helpful in building them up, according to their needs, so that it may benefit those who listen. -{Read Eph 4:29}
Tonight one of the closest friends I have, spoke on the phone and I realized he always ends the conversation by always telling me he “loves me.” These are not empty words for there are more than thirty years of the evidence, pattern of his love for me in his words and deeds…I realized also of one of my children who always ends with “I love you” when he ends his calls to me. If either he or my long tern friend were to be taken by the Lord what “last words,” am I left with from them? The assurance of their love for me, not just in words but deeds of love!”
Lord help me learn from the practice and patterns of others.
How is your heart? “The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.”-{Luke 6:45}.
Whatever is in our heart, what we are feeling, thinking, we usually speak and if it is not God honoring, it is dishonoring to Him and destructive to others- all because we are hurt, resentful, bitter, and want to get it off our chest and at times cruelly, bitterly, arrogantly shamelessly and sinfully boast, “Well, I am just speaking my mind, that’s just the way I am,” as though that justifies evil behavior! No, it reveals someone who is willing to hurt others with speech that is not edifying, it is SINFUL. It reveals a lack of self- control! “… For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”-{Read 12:34}. It’s like the sin of GOSSIP- “Gospel separates intimate friends -{Read Proverbs 16:28}”- Words matter!
PRAY BEFORE YOU SPEAK
THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK– {Memorize Phil 4:8; Eph 4:29 so you can Think through these verses before you speak. And The Holy Spirit can remind you}
SPEAK TO BUILD UP- Otherwise “Shut Up” until you choose to Repent and follow the LORD and “build others up!”-{Read Eph 4:29}
What are the “Last words” you have spoken and left with people you have encountered today? It is not merely somewhere way down the line that this message I can think of this message, that is to fall into the lie that death is not inevitable for me, you. BUT SINCE WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT DAY WE WILL BE TAKEN BY HIM, IT COULD BE TODAY, live this day, THINKING, SPEAKING with gracious words as you encounter each person you deal with.
MAY YOUR “Last words” TODAY, which you leave with others …
Be Thoughtful,-{Phil 4:8};
Loving,- {Read 1 Cor 16:14}
Edifying,-{Eph 4:29}
Gracious – {Eph 4:29}!