Today [and many others] I’ve found myself wondering and praying about this subject… Not only because I am the one standing in need thereof on occasion, but also because it concerns me when I see those I love standing in need… And as such felt strongly impressed to write on this topic:
“”When we see a brother or sister doing/saying something that’s just Not quite rite: Mercy/Love? Mentor? ‘Sincerely’ pray for them? 1 Cor. 9:22″”
I’d been praying about this also because it pains me to see the way “we” [yes, me too] can be so quick to judge and spit out a little quaint/crude statement… not seeming, at that moment, to care about the ensuing ripple effect it creates. We are, both in the heat of the moment and sometimes still afterward, often just hard heartened and self righteous about it because after all [s]he are wrong! They shouldn’t have done or said that! After all we are right and they are Not…etcetera, etcetera. And that’s just that! Therefore, our behavior is justified.
I often wonder WHY pray tell, for the love of peace and our precious Christ Jesus whose name we are suppose to embody, whose name we have claimed because He has claimed us, we do not try to go to these folks and ease into mentoring or helping them to see a better way… to walk along side of them… IF ONLY for a brief while… In His love…………
And frankly as it pertains to my own self, my family, and my community of faith I’m more than woefully disappointed when I act or hear or see anything short thereof… My heart literally aches over our momentary lack of compassion for others; which sometimes can cause more than a momentary stumbling block and emotional pain to another.
People are both seeking and hurting in large numbers these days and that includes the Saved and Un-saved, as well as those inside and outside the church. Many of them did not grow up with the guidance, favor, or blessings that others of us were privileged to… And we really cannot judge a book by it’s cover to know who these very wounded souls are. Thus, in their efforts to fit in, or to do good, or in other cases in their effort to find freedom from deep, ’seemingly’ unspeakable, [soul] wounds, they sometimes get confused and might respond or react without Godly counsel or much thought… and maybe more than once or twice when we refuse to reach out to them.
If each of us set about the notion, with justification that our plates are full, that someone else will step-up, it’s most likely no one will and their process of trial and error will continue for some time.
If we are Christians, we cannot and must not hold these happenings over their heads for life or even for a day… We are Not entitled to hold a magnifying glass [especially one that we could not and would not be able to stand-up to, let alone live under our own selves] over their lives, their every statement or their actions friends; our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said Not. I recall something to the effect of “Let He who is without sin cast the first stone.” And He said that over a much more serious offense, an absolute disobedient act to one of God’s covenant commands, than what we tend to get hung up on in our daily lives as it pertains to others.
Today God lead me to this Scripture, and although I’d read Corinthians before, this is the first time I actually “saw” it! Ah, Who doesn’t love the Scriptures given St. Paul of God? He gives us several important principles for ministry:
“”To the weak (wanting in discernment) I have become weak (wanting in discernment) that I might win the weak and overscrupulous. I have [in short] become all things to all men, that I might by all means (at all costs and in any and every way) save some [by winning them to faith in Jesus Christ]. 1 Corinthians 9:22 (Amplified Bible)”"
“”(1) Find common ground with those you are in contact with. (2) Avoid a know-it-all attitude. (3) Make others feel accepted.” (4) be sensitive to their needs and concerns. (5) Look for opportunities to tell them about Christ.”" — And I paraphrase by adding: Look for opportunities to help your sisters and brothers, including the less mature, and/or those who err [intentionally or not] to aide them in understanding how to be more Christ like. — “”These principles are just as practical and important for us as they were for St. Paul.”" [NLT Life Application]
And this prayer was by chance one for the day:
“”Father God, the creator and preserver of all, we humbly beseech you for all sorts and conditions of people; that you would be pleased to make your ways known unto them, your saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for your holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by your good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to your fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; that it may please you to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.”"
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Again, I too have been guilty of this on occasions, but with Gods help will continue to not only forgive and grow in Christ, but to also apologize and repent when called for as well as resist getting entangled in such behaviors/sentiments, which is nothing short of a ploy by the adversary to conquer us individually and then the majority by dividing up the Body one by one.
Father God, Please give us — give me — ears to hear and hearts of obedience. And once again I say Amen.
In closing this states my intentions herein much better than I:
“A servant of Jesus Christ,” [writes this] “to those who are called (chosen), ‘dearly loved’ by God the Father and separated (set apart) and kept for Jesus Christ:”
“”Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you . (Jude 1:1-2)”"
