One Father, One God, One Humanity

[Mem]

Mordecai refused to bow to Haman. Would he have been considered more peaceful if he had submitted?

 

[TruthDefender]

Mordecai refused to bow to Haman. Would he have been considered more peaceful if he had submitted?

Haman was the enemy of the Jews. Do you think we should bow to terrorists?

 

[Mem]

Haman was the enemy of the Jews. Do you think we should bow to terrorists?

I'm pretty sure this would just encourage more terrorism rather than peace.

 

[TruthDefender]

I'm pretty sure this would just encourage more terrorism rather than peace.

God issued justice for a reason, aye?

 

[Leafblessing]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I understand your concern about the reality of conflict and the brokenness of human nature. Scripture does indeed show that there have been conflicts throughout history, and Jesus Himself said there would be wars and rumors of wars (Matthew 24:6).

However, even in a world filled with conflict, Christians are still called to reflect Christ’s character. Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). This does not mean we ignore truth or deny differences, but it does mean we guard our hearts and our words.

While history shows conflicts between nations and peoples, the Gospel also shows God’s heart for all humanity. The Bible says, "For God so loved the world…" (John 3:16), and Paul reminds us that God "made from one blood every nation of men" (Acts 17:26).

I also believe it is important to distinguish between individuals and broad generalizations about entire groups of people. Scripture calls us to speak with grace and wisdom (Colossians 4:6), and to pursue peace where possible (Romans 12:18).

I agree that true and lasting peace will ultimately come through Christ, and we look forward to that day. Until then, as followers of Jesus, we are still called to be lights in the world, showing love, truth, and humility in how we engage with others.

Thank you again for sharing your perspective. I appreciate the opportunity for respectful discussion.

It's all good in theory. It also misses the fact that God said that the descendants of Ishmael would be the enemy of the descendants of Isaac. The twins, Jacob and Esau, also became enemies of each other. Esau married into the tribe of Ishmael and also became Israel's enemy - as prophesied by God.

God calls us to one thing, but human nature is ungodly. The world does not need to be told what they should do. No one will argue that love is the best way. Try telling that to the zealot about to blow up innocent people in the name of Islam. He would say that he is obeying Allah. And he would be right. "Allah" is just another name for Satan.

There will be peace and unity only after the final victory of Christ. While there are unbelievers on the earth, there will be wars. Jesus said as much. One day, Lord Jesus will return to rule and reign in person. There will be 1,000 years of peace. Until then, wars and conflict will continue.

The Quran teaches that non-Muslims are effectively sub human, little better than animals to be enslaved. Women, even if they are Muslim, are inherently inferior to men. Love and unity require all parties to be involved. Islam will never be a party to anything that is not of Islam.

 

[Leafblessing]

The hardest part of this whole concept is doing it. It’s funny we are talking about this. For the last bit I have had someone in my life, that’s is in many ways very ungodly, but yet I do care and love them. They are and extremely hard person to love some days. I pray and keep hoping god to find his way into there heart. I know preaching a sermon to this person won’t help. I just see the sadness seap through and emptiness in there hastily decision making to feel something. I’ve felt the need to give up sometimes daily. But in my heart I feel god put me in there path to pray for them and love them regardless.

The doing and acting of loving is sometimes so hard. I wish for a more humble and soft heart.

Thanks Shari for your great insight into all these posts everyone has made.

Thank you for sharing something so personal and honest. What you're describing is something many of us experience, and you're right — loving others is often much harder in practice than in theory.

I truly admire your heart in choosing to continue loving and praying for this person, even when it’s difficult. Sometimes the greatest expression of love is not preaching, but simply being present, patient, and kind. Jesus Himself often led by example, showing compassion even to those who struggled or rejected Him.

The fact that you care, pray, and continue to hope already shows God's love working through you. And it's okay to feel tired sometimes — even Jesus withdrew to pray and renew His strength (Luke 5:16).

May God continue to give you a humble and soft heart, and may He also strengthen you as you walk alongside this person. Your love and prayers may be planting seeds you cannot yet see.

Thank you again for your thoughtful words and honesty. God bless you.

 

[Leafblessing]

Matthew 12:48-50
But Jesus replied "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers ?" Pointing to His disciples, He said, "Here are My mother and My brothers. For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

Thank you for sharing this Scripture. I agree that Jesus made it clear that our spiritual family is those who do the will of the Father. This reminds us that true unity in Christ comes through obedience to God and faith in Him.

At the same time, even while Jesus defined His spiritual family, He still showed compassion and love to all people — including those who did not yet believe. He ate with sinners, showed mercy to the lost, and called us to love even our enemies.

So while our deepest unity is in Christ, we are still called to treat everyone with love, patience, and compassion, reflecting God's heart. As Scripture says, “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:10)

Thank you again for sharing this thoughtful reminder.

 

[Leafblessing]

Mordecai refused to bow to Haman. Would he have been considered more peaceful if he had submitted?

Thank you for your kind words and for raising this thoughtful example. You're right — Mordecai refused to bow to Haman because it would have meant compromising what he believed was right. True peace does not mean surrendering truth or abandoning convictions.

I believe peace and love do not require us to compromise righteousness, but rather to hold firmly to truth while maintaining humility and grace. Mordecai stood firm, yet he did not act out of hatred — he simply remained faithful.

In the same way, we are called to stand for truth while still reflecting the character of Christ. As Scripture says, “Speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). We can stand firmly without losing compassion, and remain peaceful without compromising our convictions.

Thank you again for this thoughtful point — I truly appreciate the discussion.

 

[Leafblessing]

I love this a lot actually. There seems to be a lot of talk about this Iran war. Like you said Shari, we are brothers and sisters under god. The more hate we pour onto this earth the more we receive. A lot of times we hate what we don’t even understand. That usually is the premise to the start of hate. Fear. “Do not worry or be fearful” God takes care of these things in time. Love grows strong roots. If only man could love, if only man could find it in his heart to put his pride at rest and love humbly. I think we would have a lot less issues in this world.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful words. I truly agree with what you've shared. Fear and misunderstanding often become the roots of division, but love has the power to heal and bring understanding.

The Bible reminds us, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). When we choose love over fear, we reflect God's heart and become instruments of peace in a world that often feels divided.

You're also right — humility plays such an important role. When pride is set aside, love can grow stronger and relationships can be restored. It's not always easy, but even small acts of love can make a big difference.

Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. May God help us all to grow in love, humility, and understanding.

Now, normally I wouldn't post a big scripture wall. However, sometimes I make exceptions.

We can know all about the Creator, Father God, and look to Him all we want.
But, it is only through Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who poured out His blood on the cross, was buried for three days, rose again and ascended back to God the Father that gives us access unto Him.

John 14:6
Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no on else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

John 1:12
But, to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.

John 3:14-18
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 7:25
Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.

Romans 10:8-10
But, what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: that if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.

1 John 5:5-12
Who then overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ - not by water alone, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies to this, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are only three that testify: the Spirit, the water, and the blood - and these three are in agreement.
Even if we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony that God has given about His Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son.
And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

1 John 2:23
Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father, but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well.

Thank you for sharing these Scriptures. I truly agree that salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone. As you shared, Jesus Himself said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). This is the foundation of our faith and the hope we hold as believers.

My intention has never been to remove or diminish the truth of the Gospel, but rather to encourage us, as followers of Christ, to reflect His love and humility as we share that truth with others.

Jesus came full of grace and truth (John 1:14). He spoke truth boldly, yet also showed compassion, mercy, and patience toward those who did not yet believe. I believe we are called to follow that same example — holding firmly to the truth of salvation in Christ, while also showing love and kindness to all people.

Thank you again for sharing these powerful Scriptures and for contributing to this meaningful discussion.
God bless you.

 

[Leafblessing]

I love this a lot actually. There seems to be a lot of talk about this Iran war. Like you said Shari, we are brothers and sisters under god. The more hate we pour onto this earth the more we receive. A lot of times we hate what we don’t even understand. That usually is the premise to the start of hate. Fear. “Do not worry or be fearful” God takes care of these things in time. Love grows strong roots. If only man could love, if only man could find it in his heart to put his pride at rest and love humbly. I think we would have a lot less issues in this world.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful words. I truly appreciate what you shared. You're right — fear and misunderstanding often become the roots of division, while love brings understanding and healing.

The Bible reminds us, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). When we choose love over fear, we reflect God's heart and become instruments of peace in a world that often feels divided.

I also agree that humility plays such an important role. When pride is set aside, love grows stronger and hearts begin to soften. It may not always be easy, but even small acts of love can make a difference.

Thank you again for your encouraging thoughts. May God help us all to grow in love, humility, and understanding as we seek to be peacemakers in our time.

 

[Mem]

Thank you for your kind words and for raising this thoughtful example. You're right — Mordecai refused to bow to Haman because it would have meant compromising what he believed was right. True peace does not mean surrendering truth or abandoning convictions.

I believe peace and love do not require us to compromise righteousness, but rather to hold firmly to truth while maintaining humility and grace. Mordecai stood firm, yet he did not act out of hatred — he simply remained faithful.

In the same way, we are called to stand for truth while still reflecting the character of Christ. As Scripture says, “Speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). We can stand firmly without losing compassion, and remain peaceful without compromising our convictions.

Thank you again for this thoughtful point — I truly appreciate the discussion.

Standing firm, as Mordecai had done, meant refusing to accept the disrespect directed toward him even while Haman demanded respect toward himself.

Mordecai was humble while Haman was prideful Mordecai maintained his peace even as hatred was being directed towards him. He remained standing in the storm and Haman fell while trying to stir it up.

Would Mordecai be considered a peacemaker? His story ends well enough but there certainly was no peace within his circumstances.

Jesus said in Matt 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God," and I think this is how Mordecai was able to stand firm, not accepting any disrespect from anyone that consider hatred to be due him. Mordecai recognized himself as a son of God and found his peace in that identity and stood in it.

However, it was Esther that had pleaded for the king's compassion in allowing her people to defend themselves against Haman's decree to destroy them all. And this at great risk of stirring up the king's own pride as she was going against the protocol of approaching the king without being summoned. But she stood firm in her identity as a daughter of God and found her peace in that. And the king granted her request, and directed that Haman be hanged, along with his ten sons, on the same gallows that Haman had intended to be built for Mordecai.

Mordecai and Hadassah had been dwelling peaceably as possible with everyone, as far as it depended on them up until that time. But within the context of forgiveness and that verse, Ro 12:18, is found an advisory against avenging ourselves with a directive to leave room for God's in Ro 12:19, with reference to God's declaration in Deu 32:35, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord."

So, to take it back to the OP: One Father, One God, One Humanity
If anyone might regard that any sons of God should bow to them, their Father is faithful to provide them reminder of Who's sons they are. 1Cor 3:17

 

[Mem]

I want to add some thoughts with regard to the difference between the king's wives, Vashti and Esther that replaced her. The former was put to death after refusing to come before the king when he summoned her, and the latter risked being put to death for approaching him without being summoned, but the king granted her an audience with him. He extended his gold scepter toward her and stayed the sword that would have put her to death.

What was the difference between the two queens? Perhaps yes, it is the difference between pride and humility, but perhaps, even more so, the difference has more to do with love. Even though Esther had reservations about approaching the king without being summoned, she pushed her fear aside, not for her own sake but for the sake of her people, and Esther 5:2 tells us, "As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she found favor in his sight. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter."

In the previous chapter, Esther sent a reply to Mordecai that the king had not summoned her in 30 days. This tells us that she had been counting the days in waiting while she listened for the king's summons. But was it in fear that she'd be put to death if she didn't come or in hope that it would be the next day that she would hear of his summons?

And I think we can also gather the king's regard toward Esther by his readiness to receive her even though he had not called for her in 30 days by how quickly he extended his scepter toward her. And if the Esther kept nothing of herself from the king intimacy with her apart from her identity as a Jew as Mordecai had directed, I imagine his thoughts of her when she appeared in the court, "Esther?...Surely, insolence is not in her there must be some matter other than any demand of her indulgence. There must be some matter of importance that she would be so bold that she has broken my protocol..."

Yes, definitely, I'm sure that love is the difference.

 

[TruthDefender]

I want to add some thoughts with regard to the difference between the king's wives, Vashti and Esther that replaced her. The former was put to death after refusing to come before the king when he summoned her, and the latter risked being put to death for approaching him without being summoned, but the king granted her an audience with him. He extended his gold scepter toward her and stayed the sword that would have put her to death.

What was the difference between the two queens? Perhaps yes, it is the difference between pride and humility, but perhaps, even more so, the difference has more to do with love. Even though Esther had reservations about approaching the king without being summoned, she pushed her fear aside, not for her own sake but for the sake of her people, and Esther 5:2 tells us, "As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she found favor in his sight. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter."

In the previous chapter, Esther sent a reply to Mordecai that the king had not summoned her in 30 days. This tells us that she had been counting the days in waiting while she listened for the king's summons. But was it in fear that she'd be put to death if she didn't come or in hope that it would be the next day that she would hear of his summons?

And I think we can also gather the king's regard toward Esther by his readiness to receive her even though he had not called for her in 30 days by how quickly he extended his scepter toward her. And if the Esther kept nothing of herself from the king intimacy with her apart from her identity as a Jew as Mordecai had directed, I imagine his thoughts of her when she appeared in the court, "Esther?...Surely, insolence is not in her there must be some matter other than any demand of her indulgence. There must be some matter of importance that she would be so bold that she has broken my protocol..."

Yes, definitely, I'm sure that love is the difference.

Esther fasted and prayed before entering the king’s presence so God had a lot to do with her not being harmed.

Also, where does it say that Vashti lost her life??

 

[Mem]

Also, where does it say that Vashti lost her life??

A cinematic depiction influenced that understanding, as go back through the story doesn't explicitly say what "never come before the king again' and 'the king's rage" might actually imply. Admittedly, the producers may have taken poetic license to emphasize the risk to life that Esther had taken upon herself. I mean, that Vashti was just divorced kind of takes that edge of that and Esther saying, "If I die, I die" interpretation might trend into more of a, "Meh, if I die, I die."

 

[TruthDefender]

A cinematic depiction influenced that understanding, as go back through the story doesn't explicitly say what "never come before the king again' and 'the king's rage" might actually imply. Admittedly, the producers may have taken poetic license to emphasize the risk to life that Esther had taken upon herself. I mean, that Vashti was just divorced kind of takes that edge of that and Esther saying, "If I die, I die" interpretation might trend into more of a, "Meh, if I die, I die."

Aah, so you believe in the cinematic additions rather than what’s been written. Got it!

It says she was never again brought before the king; nothing more was said. End of story.

 

[Mem]

Aah, so you believe in the cinematic additions rather than what’s been written. Got it!

It says she was never again brought before the king; nothing more was said. End of story.

Hmm. Everyone's a critic.

 

[TruthDefender]

Hmm. Everyone's a critic.

I’m critical when it’s false, when it matters.

 

[Mem]

I’m critical when it’s false, when it matters.

While totally missing the point in the lesson for a small morsel of self-satisfaction. You were just, lying in wait, looking for any missteps and pounced on it as soon as you found it. Just as the pharisee tried to do to Jesus, to trap him. I'm not Jesus.

 

[Mem]

Till death do us part, or divorce, either event is relatively tragic. Is there really that much matter in difference?

 

[TruthDefender]

While totally missing the point in the lesson for a small morsel of self-satisfaction. You were just, lying in wait, looking for any missteps and pounced on it as soon as you found it. Just as the pharisee tried to do to Jesus, to trap him. I'm not Jesus.

As always, you’re missing the point; if you’re going to say something at least be accurate.

It’s a long weekend, just breathe!