Proverbs 14:28-29 

²⁸A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined. ²⁹Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

More Women

         Christians who prioritize serving the Lord will be recognized and rewarded in heaven. Do you believe that? Someone said, “There will be more women in heaven.” How come? More women attend church, especially prayer meetings. Is it biblically true or just supposition? What do you know of sexuality in heaven?

         Have you ever read the Scripture that there will be no marriage in heaven?

Together let us all reflect on what Jesus Christ declared in Matthew 22:30.

³⁰At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage.

Primarily, God made man and woman to increase and populate the whole earth. Procreation or population explosion will not be necessary in heaven, and nobody will be concerned about sexuality. Gender will be eliminated in heaven.

Speculation of more women enter heaven is just an entertainment. But, we should prioritize our mandate to witness for Christ instead. We are mandated to testify on how Christ transformed us. The Holy Spirit regenerates believers to accept Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior. He also inspires us to bring glory to Christ, and we speak about our personal experience with Christ as Lord.

         This advent season, may we sense Christ as the Prince of Peace! He said in John 14:27, ²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

         Every night you go sleep, do you sense peace or bothered by problems? Each time you wake up, do you sense peace or still concerned about problems? Christ promised fullness of life to believers. We can experience fullness of life peacefully when we submit and let Christ the Prince of peace prevails in us.

1.  Prince

              ²⁸A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.

         It’s no secret that there’re countries with very large population in the world. And politicians exert all their means to win the election. When candidates are elected, they are given authority as powerful leaders of their nation. They crave to rule over a nation, why? There must be glorious feeling to be powerful person.

         Of course, the more population in his kingdom, the more glorious pride the king may have. Ordinary people register king or prince as their name. Why? They want fame, glory and power of kings or princes! Power, glory and fame of kings and princes may trigger anyone to accomplish what they wish to achieve. But what can we interpret when it says “Without subjects a prince is ruined?”

         A prince is a child of king. And citizens of a kingdom should pay respect to a prince, the child of the king. Kingdom citizens may admire or honor their king.

But they may not necessarily give the same respect and honor to a prince or the son of a king. It happened in 1 Kings 12:16-17, ¹⁶When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What share do we have in David, what part in Jesse’s son? To your tents, Israel! Look after your own house, David!” So the Israelites went home. ¹⁷But as for the Israelites who were living in the towns of Judah, Rehoboam still ruled over them.

After King Solomon died, his son Prince Rehoboam took over the kingdom. The Israelites requested that he should lighten the harsh labor that King Solomon put on them. King Rehoboam ignored their plea and the kingdom was divided. Only the tribe of Judah remained loyal to the descendants of King David.

How does such terrible decision of King Rehoboam translate in our life?

Canada has King Charles who has two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. Prince William being the older son will inherit the throne. Prince Harry made dramatic decision of stepping back as members of the Royal Family; his privileges as prince may have been affected or even diminished.

We can identify with the unpleasant results of personal decision by Prince Harry. Don’t we also make dramatic decisions? When we follow the inclination of our hearts, we also disregard the privileges attached to being children of God.

We are advised in 1 Timothy 2:1-4, ¹I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ²for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

         It favors us when our leaders are given godly wisdom to administer justice. It benefits us when the government makes great decision to prosper our nation. Have you heard about the rumor to make Canada as the 51^st state of America?

         Surely, we respect the decisions of leaders we admire. But we have to do our part and pray for our government to have wisdom in their decisions. We pray that in any legislation, government officials patiently study its pros and cons.

2.  Patience

²⁹Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

         Patience is a virtue. Patience displays great understanding as compared to impatient person who quickly loses temper. Impatience exhibits foolishness.

         Interestingly, patience is also fruit of the Holy Spirit. Christ promises life in its fullness, and we experience part of it when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Will foolishness or impatience go away when the Holy Spirit produces fruit in us? It is wise to control temper, instead of rushing or being controlled by temper.

         How do you interpret what it declares in 1 Corinthians 1:24? ²⁴To those whom God has called… Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

         How can we practically apply or utilize this reality? How can Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God personally realized or happen in our life?

Strike

         What is your opinion about Canada Post strike? This Christmas, people are waiting for mails, checks or Christmas gifts that have been sent through mail. Many people are upset because of the delay of what they ordered online. Online markets may have also lost revenues because they cannot send purchased products. And employees of Canada Post are concerned about their benefits.

         What benefit can they enjoy when other people are cursing behind their back? How can they refund or return to lost revenues of online markets affected by their desire to fight for their right? Here’s another example that we should also pray for authorities to resolve problems at Canada Post much efficiently

         But as children of God, are we suppose to participate in strikes because it is our right as individuals? What is our right as believers of Christ, by the way? Learn from 1 Peter 2:18-23, ¹⁸In reverent fear of God, submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. ¹⁹For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. ²⁰But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. ²¹To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. ²²“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” ²³When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

         In any given day, we can be victims of injustice. Other people may take advantage of us. Surely, we want to exert our right, but as to what extent? How can we have abundant life when opportunist individuals take advantage of us?

         Christ owns everything. He can create endless wealth, if he wishes. But when he came and lived as human, he did not indulge in luxury. Did he live his life on earth to its fullness abundantly? What do you think? He promised abundant life to obedient believers. How do you interpret fullness of life in Christ? He said in John 10:10 ¹⁰I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Fullness of life is gratified life, life full of gratitude and praise. How do you describe your life now? Do you sense some sort of gratitude and praise? By his grace, we look forward to endless celebration in heaven when Christ returns. May your heart be filled with gratitude and praise as you celebrate Christmas.

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