Matthew 28:20 "And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." The situation preceding these instructions was that Jesus had just risen from the grave. The guards reported this mystery of the missing body to the chief priests. Together they and the elders concocted a plan and paid off these eye witnesses to say the body was stolen. Was Jesus concerned with their false testimony? No. He ignored their doubts and gave them their job to do.
hmmm... teaching them to obey...
ohhhh... everything I have commanded you...
Why does that always get you in an argument? I get it that very few people like their errors pointed out but for crying out loud why take it so personal? In my work environment it was found to be more effective to be "coached". This coaching was accomplished through mutual respect of experience, fact based, impersonal, ego free, "let's learn" and "move on for the better", a much more effective approach that made it a great working environment. However! Out in the real world, oh good Lord it is messy and complicated as egos run as rampant as a willful brat under the tutelage of its parents King Narcissism and Queen Vanity, the rulers of the New Age type mantras and religions.
As I write this, I hear the song Kung Fu Fighting:
Everybody is Kung Fu fighting,
Your mind becomes fast as lightning
Although the future is a little bit frightening
(Little bit frightening)
It's the book of your life that you're writing
(Life that you're writing)
Repeating on my path of late is seeing Christians dabbling in New Age. Yes. Yes it happens. New Age "sounds" about right and is not foolish enough to publicly admit "redefining" our walk with Jesus but rather "enhancing" the experience, to think outside the box. Interesting enough the new bible I purchased came in a box. Anyways then, yes there is some truth in its philosophy but only some. All things "should" be pointing to Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We are not to usurp Him, empower ourselves to do it without Him, replace Him, take His place, or to even put the focus on ourselves over Him lest we make ourselves our own idol where the hurt of transgressions, real or imagined, become our new and improved altar. Just as we are to not replace the Holy Spirit with guides or light workers. And be careful on that as there is no coming back from dissing the Counselor.
Now! Just as in 1 Corinthians 5: 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. Right! you are not to judge them! And you are to not be hanging out with them either. But this is not about judging. This is about when you hear a lie, you tell the truth. The devil himself tangled the truth of the bible and switched it over to "philosophy" against Jesus.
Oh but do you just blurt it out? What happens when you do? Thats the rub and a tough spot to be in. But here's the deal... God made you the way you are for a reason. Those who do not like to hear the truth will say it is you. You said it wrong. You said it in not enough words. You said it at the wrong time. You said it. Nope. This stuff is not true either. Once a lie comes out of a mouth, they tend to keep coming. Sometimes He needs the wallflowers to hold up those walls. Sometimes He needs those boisterous to speak over the din of someones self-importance. Sometimes He needs to use where you were healed to speak life to another. Sometimes He asks you to step up out of your comfort zone to show others you really will not fall off the edge. And sometimes you just gotta say what you gotta say. In all these things, it is the thought that counts. And for heavens sake, do not stay for they inevitable arguments or debates as they too are a distraction from looking at Jesus. You have other things to do knowing that they cannot unhear what they heard and cannot unsee what they saw. Ask Him to bless it and make it to His glory and move on. You did what you could and that will shine brightly when you see Him on your own one on one with Him. You tried.
Even the disciples bore this burden and gave the divine appointed instructions described in Titus 3:9 "But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. (10) Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. (11) You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned."
Blessings to you till I see you on the other side. In the meantime, wrestle with the angels. At least they will bless you.
Kommentare