There is a very fine line that Christians tread. We are to stand firmly for what we believe (Mt. 24:13, Eph. 6:11), yet we are to have compassion and mercy (Jude 22). The world we live in is riddled with sin and contempt for the ways of God, yet this is the same world we are called to be witnesses to. Not hostile witnesses, either.
A situation came up today where I needed to define this line a little more. As I sat pondering how to handle it, the only thing that came to mind was the old cliché, W.W.J.D. As much as the overuse and misuse of this acronym bothers me, it is very appropriate. What would Jesus do in this type situation?
The first thing the Lord brought to mind was that Jesus never backed down. Now, that is not the same thing as backing off. Sometimes we need to back off in order to let a person contemplate what they are hearing, or to experience a situation for themselves. We are, however, never called to back down from what we believe. Can you tell the difference in your own attitude between the two? Are you able to back off without backing down?
Another principle I learned was Jesus' wisdom in using parables. Jesus never said while teaching the crowds or His disciples, “Hey, remember what Bob from Galilee did? Well, that's a prime example of what you shouldn't do!” He always taught His lessons with generic people. He may have specified a people group, such as Samaritans (Lk. 10:25-37), but He never gave a negative lesson with specifics. We would be very wise to do the same. Being obviously discrete doesn't count either. You know what I mean... “There was was this older lady from my last church – a former Sunday School teacher of mine – who ....” Just because you don't use the actual name doesn't mean you are being good.
We also need to remember that it is our Father in Heaven who is Judge and not us. Therefore, we must be very careful the way in which we word things. If we disagree with something in particular, is there a Scriptural reason or a personal one? Is it a matter of doctrine or disposition? Even if it is a Scriptural reason, in what way are we verbalizing it? Basically, are gossiping, or being plain rude. I go by the rule that if it's not positive and I don't need to know it, then I don't need to know it. That goes in the other direction too. If the person I'm talking to doesn't need to know, then don't share.
I think this is a struggle we will have until the day we are given newly resurrected bodies. It's also something we need to ponder on now and again. Is your firm compassion on this world in balance?
Showing posts with label Bible-Matthew 24. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible-Matthew 24. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
They Went Out
OK, we don't get too much further along in 1 John today.
1 John 2:18-19.
“Children, it is the last hour. As you have heard, 'Antichrist is coming,' even now many antichrists have come. We know from this that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. However, they went out so that it might be clear that none of them belonged to us.”
This is such a sad Scripture. I think any of us who have been in church for a long period of time have experienced some example of this. It's that person, who realizes how much they need the Lord, is baptized and befriended by many. They often are completely on fire for the Lord. Then, they miss a few services and everyone calls to encourage them. They come back in full force only to fall away again and again. After a time you never see them and they have asked the church to stop calling. I think this is but one example of what John was talking about. Another example are those who feed on the misery and discention of a church body. They go from church to church looking for people to side with and tear apart.
Whatever the case, we need to treat these people, not as brothers and sisters in Christ when we see them again, but as the lost. This actually affords them an extra measure of grace from us, because they do not know, or understand, what they are doing. (Luke 23:34)
As for THE Antichrist, I heard an interesting theory from Beth Moore in her study on Daniel. We understand that God is all-knowing, but we forget that Satan is not. Jesus Himself said, “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows – neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son – except the Father only.” (Matthew 24:36) So, Satan has had to groom an antichrist in every generation to be ready. Throughout the last 2000 years, people have pointed to certain figures and claimed them as the Antichrist, and I believe most of them would have been right, if that had been the season the Father had chosen. Interesting, isn't it? Don't you think Satan is getting tired of all his hard work? (I have to say, I get some satisfaction from that thought.)
This post was originally suppose to show up on Saturday, and the one that finally came up yesterday was scheduled for Friday. I have NO idea what happened. Sorry for the few days of silence, but it has been a little rough. As you get some free time, reflect on what we have looked at in the first two chapters of 1 John, and I'll start in on chapter 3 later.
Let me leave you, though, with the last few verses in 1 John 2...
1John 2:27-29.
“The anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you don't need anyone to teach you. Instead, His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie; just as it has taught you, remain in Him. So now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears we may have boldness and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know this as well: everyone who does what is right had been born of Him.”
1 John 2:18-19.
“Children, it is the last hour. As you have heard, 'Antichrist is coming,' even now many antichrists have come. We know from this that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. However, they went out so that it might be clear that none of them belonged to us.”
This is such a sad Scripture. I think any of us who have been in church for a long period of time have experienced some example of this. It's that person, who realizes how much they need the Lord, is baptized and befriended by many. They often are completely on fire for the Lord. Then, they miss a few services and everyone calls to encourage them. They come back in full force only to fall away again and again. After a time you never see them and they have asked the church to stop calling. I think this is but one example of what John was talking about. Another example are those who feed on the misery and discention of a church body. They go from church to church looking for people to side with and tear apart.
Whatever the case, we need to treat these people, not as brothers and sisters in Christ when we see them again, but as the lost. This actually affords them an extra measure of grace from us, because they do not know, or understand, what they are doing. (Luke 23:34)
As for THE Antichrist, I heard an interesting theory from Beth Moore in her study on Daniel. We understand that God is all-knowing, but we forget that Satan is not. Jesus Himself said, “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows – neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son – except the Father only.” (Matthew 24:36) So, Satan has had to groom an antichrist in every generation to be ready. Throughout the last 2000 years, people have pointed to certain figures and claimed them as the Antichrist, and I believe most of them would have been right, if that had been the season the Father had chosen. Interesting, isn't it? Don't you think Satan is getting tired of all his hard work? (I have to say, I get some satisfaction from that thought.)
This post was originally suppose to show up on Saturday, and the one that finally came up yesterday was scheduled for Friday. I have NO idea what happened. Sorry for the few days of silence, but it has been a little rough. As you get some free time, reflect on what we have looked at in the first two chapters of 1 John, and I'll start in on chapter 3 later.
Let me leave you, though, with the last few verses in 1 John 2...
1John 2:27-29.
“The anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you don't need anyone to teach you. Instead, His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie; just as it has taught you, remain in Him. So now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears we may have boldness and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know this as well: everyone who does what is right had been born of Him.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)