Gods’ Heart

“It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also.”

Acts 12:1-3a

  

What events occurring in the lives of other people do you rejoice in?

When your enemies die or are killed how do you react?

Many may recall with horror those who were rejoicing and literally dancing in the streets when the 911 attack occurred in New York City in 2001.

Is that how you would respond when your own personal enemy is killed?

We must always be vigilant concerning our heart attitude even when it comes to the fate of those who were genuinely hurting us or others.

We can certainly rejoice in the fact that the evil the person has done has ended.

But what of their eternity?

God is not willing that any should perish.

Of course many do die in their sins, never repenting, never finding their way to the foot of the cross.

This is never a cause for rejoicing.

Be careful if you say: “I hope you rot in hell!”

That is never the heart of God toward any of His creation.

In Acts 12:1-4 we find that the Jewish leaders rejoiced when Herod had James, the brother of John, put to death.

How far they had slipped from the heart of God!

May we never find ourselves in that place and think it is OK.