Oh, my, Father, my body is none too happy with two days of outside work. Neither working at a computer nor driving a bus does this but I am glad I was able to get so much done! Thank You, Father, for the ability to do so.
Acts 20:25-38 (<<click here to read the passage)
These verses, unfortunately, bring a difficult incident from my past to mind every time I read them. I will not go into any detail on the matter except to say that an individual that I both honored and respected used a good portion of this passage to lament their departure from a place of ministry. At the same time, this individual was also highlighting the potential (probable?) nefarious actions of their opposition.
Now, though I feel that this individual felt justified in their telling communication, I feel it is necessary to urge caution in going in this direction in using God’s word to punctuate our own agenda, such as the case may be.
Part of my struggle is the fact that in the end words were uttered to inflict some kind of judgment from the speaker upon those individuals who opposed them. I realize that as believers in Christ, we have the responsibility to hold other believers accountable. I believe the problem arises when we do that with little or no love in our hearts for those whose actions we are attempting to rectify. And even then, how much of what we are doing or saying is just to make them hurt as much as they hurt us.
Obviously, Jesus laid into the religious leaders of His day who were far out of line with God’s purpose and will. Who can forget Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:34?
“You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” NIV
For that matter, He didn’t hold back when his own disciples were getting off track. Do you remember in Matthew 16:23 when Jesus exclaimed to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan!”? Peter was way off base and needed a strong correction.
But the thing is, Jesus didn’t push back in retaliation or defense of the abuse and disrespect He received. The indisputable fact is, love was behind what Jesus said…every…single…time.
Jesus’ words in John 3:16-17 make it very clear.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. NKJV
Jesus put up with a lot and even though He could easily have retaliated and been justified in doing so, He chose to love. It may have been tough love but if that’s what was needed that’s what He dispensed.
So, the next time we want to get back at someone and feel that it’s a bigger slap in the face if we use Scripture, make sure it’s not just because we are hurt but make sure that any correction that is dished out is backed with love – and plenty of it! Amen!
July 13th, 2022, Wed, 8:43 pm
