Did you ever think about how much easier life would be if you didn't have to deal with people? I jest, of course, but one of my old adages is - "Ministry would be a piece of cake if it weren't for the people."
Yes, yes, I know -- ministry is about people. But there have been many periods in my ministerial career that have frustrated the snot out of me because of the human factor. People can be such jerks!
Now when it's me who is under attack, it's difficult. But when it's a friend or especially a family member -- that's the time when you just want to flank the attacker and take him out, or at least divert his attention from his intended target.
I can't go into details, but it's happening. It's distressing when you see Christians attacking their brother or sister. It saddens me because there is no good that comes from a broken relationship that is left unmended. Are we not one body? "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need you!'" (1 Cor. 12:21)
It angers me because I see the enemy accomplishing his purposes without having to do a thing but sit back and watch.
Too often, the first thing to be tossed aside is the love that we are expected to have for one another -- that which Jesus Himself says we need for the world to know we are His disciples. "Speak the truth in love." Okay, a paraphrase, but is this not a command for us as followers of Christ? First - "the truth"...
Know that what I am saying is the absolute truth and not assumption or speculation. Second - "in love"...
What is love?
Patient
Kind
Doesn't envy
Doesn't boast
Not rude
Not self-seeking
Not easily angered
Keeps no record of wrongs
Whew
Doesn't delight in evil
Rejoices with the truth
ALWAYS:
Protects
Trusts
Hopes
Perseveres
Never fails
(1 Cor. 13)
Yeah - we're human. We won't always get it right. But that shouldn't keep us from trying, and allowing each other the grace to fail us.
Again, Paul:
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Eph 4:2-3)
Christ is our example. Did He hold anything against any of those whose rumors nailed Him to the cross, or those who carried out the execution? No - it was for them and each and every one of us that He died.
His only motivations were love and the desire to glorify the Father.
All of our actions must be to this end.
Period.
3 comments:
ListeningTwo left a comment on this post. Unfortunately, I will not be able to publish comments that are for all intents and purposes anonymous. If ListeningTwo would like to let me know their identity then I will gladly consider publishing their comment.
I'm sorry it's such a rough time, for whoever is personally going thru something and for those who must watch. Whatever it is, emotions can run high (& therefore get in the way!), so it makes me glad you've blogged about Christ's words on it, for the benefit of the one in the middle of difficulty, for those wanting to help...and even for the benefit of those who are causing it...they'd need Christ's words most of all.
Grace & peace to all of you - and love -
jen
So I have received another anonymous comment, which I won't publish due to it's anonymity. However, let me address the main concerns of the two comments that haven't been published.
Yes, I have heard both sides of the story, although I will admit that there may be gaps in what I have been made privy to. Yes, my friend has admitted to mistakes that have been made and regretted. Yes, I have been witness to the venomous lack of love displayed by "the others".
My friend has been deeply hurt and saddened by the action of those against him, although in the midst of it he is experiencing a great peace and joy, which can only be found in Christ and a clear conscience.
Finally, for the sake of peace and everyone involved, this is the last I will say on this, as I suspect that there may be some lurkers to this blog that are involved in the controversy.
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