Year: 2020

Boxed In, or Being Transported to New Heights

There is something that comes to mind about being boxed in, surrounded on every side, not knowing what lies ahead…

Imagine how that eagle may have felt when closed up, in a deep darkness inside that box. He may have been tempted to be bitter, angry, scared, etc while inside that box.

But the box was transporting him to a new place, even better than where he had been tended to in a confining cage before. That box was his “darkness right before the dawn”. Those people didn’t put him in that box to kill and bury him — it was the only way to transport him safely to his destination.

But when life closes us up in a box, do we assume the worst or hope for the best?

When things get tough, do we assume it will destroy us, or can we hold out hope that we might soar to new heights?

If you feel like things are out of your control, if you feel trapped by today’s circumstances, if you feel surrounded with no where to turn — think of this eagle.

Remember that his freedom, his victory, his soaring high once again was only an open door away.

Dont hurt yourself flailing around because the door hasn’t opened yet. Be prepared, be ready, and get ready to soar!

Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:28‭-‬31 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.40.28-31.NLT

Peace Be With You

When I first woke up this morning, I saw these two things:

It’s easy to think that peace rules in our hearts when things are easy.  But what about when the hard times come?

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/col.3.15.NLT

I want to focus for a second on the items I put in bold above, because that is what jumped out to me in bold, highlight,  and underline (spirituality speaking) as something that I need to be especially aware of this morning.

The word “let” is a command for us to obey, to do this — but ot doesn’t imply action and labor ands great effort tho get there, but a passive surrender.

The words “the peace that comes from Christ” tell us that this peace does not come from our situation, our circumstances, our feelings, other people — but it comes from Christ.

The words “rule in your hearts” again,  doesn’t speak to striving or great effort on our part, but surrendering up this “throne” that our ego sits upon in our hearts to be ruled by something other than ego/self. This place as ruler of our hearts is never a good place for ego to rule.

A person ruled in their heart by ego/self lives a very different life example than a person who lets the peace that comes from Christ rule in their life. They do not “live in peace” with others — they complete, judge, accuse, oppose, divide, grumble, blame and hate others.

And many of us can probably think of times when we have not let peace rule in our hearts.

NOTE: If your mind keeps trying to point out others that this is “really about” while you are reading it — that is evidence of a lack of peace ruling in your heart and ego trying to get back up there on the throne to protect its rule and shift your attention elsewhere — convincing you that it is better to live at war with others rather than give up the throne.

Again, I will say…

And many of us can probably think of times when we have not let peace rule in our hearts. So our question should be at this point, “I see the disease. I see the sin. I see what needs to change, but how do I change?”

More active effort and coping mechanisms arent the answer. The key to the answer is in “always be thankful”. And someone is going to say, “But that isn’t solving the problem! You’re just pointing out something about me that is true when I don’t have peace. You are just driving me in circles and we are getting nowhere!” Again, that is your ego talking. It is the problem, but it wants to be the one to “do something” to “fix the problem” to insure its claim of being worthy to remain as the bratty, demanding dictator upon the throne of your life. It doesn’t want you thankful and peaceful with Christ upon the throne of your heart.

So it might sound easy to let peace rule and to be thankful when things are easy — but that actually isn’t the case. When things are easy, you might not realize who is actually on the throne. The failures and pitfalls of horrible dictators can easily be overlooked when things are easy — but let things get hard and things become more visible. So hard times help reveal more clearly what is really at work.

For one who knows Jesus and walks in The Way — they have seen the impact of sin when we seek to rule on the throne of our own hearts — they have heard of Jesus Christ, who walked in a very different way and taught us to believe and follow in The Way and have found hope in Him that they could not find in themselves — they have believed and confessed that God came in the flesh as Jesus Christ (something this humble, suffering servant claimed and gave evidence to prove) — they believe that He was wrongly accused, crucified, died, entombed, and that He was raised both bodily and spiritually to life — and that through faith and restoring our relationship with peace as ruler upon the throne of our hearts we are raised from death into life as well.

And through this peace we have in Christ Jesus, we can be thankful to God, even in the hard times.

If you aren’t feeling at peace, have you “let” — have you “surrendered” — have you tried laying it at the foot of the cross, at the nail pierced feet of Jesus? He has done what He has done in order for you to have this peace — freely, undeserved.

Will you let self die today, for another to rule upon your heart?

Peace be with you, friend.

Molting

Thank you so much Melinda Allen Moore for this inspiring photo this morning!

Sometimes we need to come out of our old, familiar shell in order to allow for new growth. #molting

I imagine that molting could be a scary process, because while molting an insect can’t breathe, and they are soft for a while and more exposed to dangers/threats. I know that neither of those situations (not being able to breathe and being exposed to danger) are on the top of my normal list of “confidence builders”.

But imagine that it isn’t your first time molting. Or that you’ve at least seen others go through the molting process and they survived and were actually better off afterwards?

There are lots of people around us who are going through major change in their lives right now. In fact, I would say that we all are in one way or another. Our tendency may be to cling to that old place of safety, but it may be time for expansion, for something BIG in our lives.

If change has you feeling like you can’t breathe, like you are exposed to danger — are your prayers in line with the BIG things God has ahead for you?

He turns challenges into confidence builders through faith!

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
James 1:2‭-‬4 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.1.2-4.NLT

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:4‭-‬8 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/php.4.4-8.NLT

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
Hebrews 13:5‭-‬6 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/heb.13.5-6.NLT

“To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One. Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing. O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:25‭-‬31 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.40.25-31.NLT

Humility, Trust, and Love when Accused or Suffering – Why?

All your children will be taught by the Lord , and great will be their peace.
Isaiah 54:13 NIV
https://isaiah.bible/isaiah-54-13

In this 54th chapter of Isaiah, that is speaking of “The Future Glory of Zion”, we see rejoicing, expansion, restoration and Godly protection that comes after a period of rebuke/discipline.

And we find here an answer to the “why” we might be tempted to ask in the middle of the storm:

“See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc; no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord , and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord .
Isaiah 54:16‭-‬17 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/isa.54.16-17.NIV

This is great encouragement to us personally, that even what is seemingly “wreaking havoc” against us in this world — their weapons cannot prevail, their accusations cannot stand.

And even better than personal protection from attack (verses 16-17) — but in our verse of focus, we see a promise for the children — not just some of them, but “all of your children”. And look at this promise. To be “taught by the Lord” and “great will be their peace”.

So we see “the shame of your youth”, past childishness, naive mistakes, foolishness — we see that these things resulted in “for a brief moment I abandoned you”, but that “with deep compassion I will bring you back”.

Now admittedly so, this chapter in Isaiah is about Israel in its original context. But in Galatians in the New Testament, we hear that there is no longer Jew and Gentile. But that we are one in Christ Jesus — so this speaks to our relationship with God as the church, as the Bride of Christ.

So when I am going through the fire, I can trust that:

1) I will be protected

2) Accusations will be refuted

3) My children will be taught

4) My children will know great peace

What if we are going through a trial, and our example — either of faithfully trusting the Lord or foolishly and childishly pitching a fit — will teach those around us lessons in peace and in trusting the Lord? Would you be satisfied to suffer for a moment, or to look foolish for a moment, as long as those you love saw in the end that the accusations were false and that they learned peace from the Lord?

Do you see that is what Christ did for you?

He was willing to suffer, to be accused, and to look foolish in the moment — trusting that God had a purpose and plan not to harm, but to restore and expand and to impact greatly those He loves and cares about.

And we are called to believe this and confess it to receive forgiveness and restoration for our childishness and foolishness — then follow in the very same pattern, to walk in The Way.

Are we willing to be humiliated, to be wrongly accused, to suffer for a brief moment – so that those we love and care about might see The Way and be taught by the Lord and have great peace?

The Day the Bomb Dropped

Today, I had a man contact me because I had slept with his wife, and he needed to hear my side of the story.

Yes, you are still on a the correct website. This happened around 20 years ago. And while the man had forgiven his wife long ago, he was contacting me because there was still something unresolved with me. He needed to hear “my side”. And (even though neither of us were living under Levitical law), I knew that I would have stood condemned under the law:

“If a young woman who is a virgin is engaged (legally betrothed) to a man, and another man finds her in the city and is intimate with her, then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city and stone them to death—the young woman because she did not cry out for help [though she was] in the city, and the man because he has violated his neighbor’s [promised] wife. So you shall remove the evil from among you. “However, if the man finds the girl who is engaged (legally betrothed) in the [open] field, and seizes her and is intimate with her [by force], then only the man who lies with her shall be put to death. But you shall do nothing to the young woman; she has committed no sin worthy of death, for this is the same as when a man attacks his neighbor and murders him. When he found her in the [open] field, the engaged girl [may have] cried out for help, but there was no one to [hear and] save her.
Deuteronomy 22:23‭-‬27 AMP

Back then, I knew that she was engaged, but I still flirted, tempted, and engaged in infidelity with this man’s betrothed. And he would have every right to stand before God and demand justice for my treachery, for my wickedness, for my ignoring the sanctity of marriage and hurting two marriages in the process. And I could say nothing to defend myself before God, because I knew what I was doing, yet I still let my youthful passions take advantage of her naive curiosity.

Some may read this about me, and may never want to listen to anything I have to say about God or Jesus — and I understand your concern. What kind of wicked, evil, perverse man, selfish man does such things? The “old man” does — the “dead man” does — the “sinner in need of saving” from the traps and tricks of the enemy does such things — while seeking everywhere he can for something to fill the God sized hole inside himself.

Before I came to know Jesus and began to walk in The Way, I hurt, cheated, lied to, and wronged a lot of people — and I didn’t care as long as it didn’t cost me anything. Some of you reading this might know me from real life, and you may have been on the receiving end of the kinds of thorns and thistles that people have felt as my life brushed past yours. And I’m not saying that I never ever hurt anyone anymore, because I still make mistakes. But there has been a shift that I hope impacts my relationships with others in a different way now.

So imagine, 20 years later, remembering and contemplating (now that you actually care about others) whether anything you say might further hurt this man you’ve already wronged. And not because you’re trying to avoid him showing up one day and killing you or beating you up — but genuinely aching for the pain you have caused that would remain as a barb in his paw 20 years later — and genuinely wanting to help him through the healing process, but not even knowing whether he wants vengeance or reconciliation.

I’m not a trained psychologist/therapist, nor did I know what to do other than to transparently and honestly admit very simply that his accusations of infidelity were accurate, but that it was simply youthful lust and naive curiosity, and that it was clearly a mistake of a couple of college aged kids. And I assured him that all it proved at the time was that sex is a poor substitute for love — she clearly loves him — and that he is an honorable man, and that I lived too much of my life as a worm.

And this man spoke of the importance of confession and forgiveness, and of how he had hated me for so long, and that he wanted to forgive me.

He wanted to forgive me.

Totally undeserved forgiveness…

My remorse today doesn’t make up for my wickedness 20 years ago. I saw Jesus in his behavior towards me, and I was both humbled and inspired.

I have been dealing with a situation where I felt wronged, personally attacked — and I was not quick to forgive. I had let the offense build because I had not dealt with it and I had not forgiven the person who wronged me. I’ve been trying to work through this with my study of vengeance and forgiveness, and the recent Saul and David lesson. But it wasn’t reading something and understanding it intellectually that “unlocked me”. It was seeing this man forgive me for something that (without the love of Christ) might be considered “unforgivable”.

Oh my goodness. I’m such a hypocrite! I can’t forgive someone for insulting me personally and attacking me professionally — but Christ shed His blood on the cross to forgive me for infidelity that impacted two marriages and four families — and He put it on this man’s heart to seek me out and forgive me? Obviously, I can’t teach you a lot about being religious and hiding your faults and having a spotless, honourable reputation — but if you have sinned and need forgiveness yourself, or you have someone you need to forgive — I can tell you about this man Jesus who changed my life!

So, I reached out to the person who I felt had bullied and wronged me, and I forgave them. Not in a “I’m going to forgive you because I’m a better man and you are evil” kind of way, but with a truly surrendered heart. And I feel SO MUCH BETTER.

A lot of people will use Phillipians 4:19 to talk about physical needs like air, water, food, clothes, shelter, and security, but “filling to full” and “according to His riches” is about a whole lot more than what we might “think we need”:

And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 AMP

Sometimes there is a sickness in our blood like unforgiveness and offense that would be quicker at killing us spiritually than being jobless might put us at risk physically.

Lord, thank you for knowing what you are doing. Thank you for turning what was meant for evil to good and for your glory. Thank you for your amazing example of forgiveness and mercy that we can participate in with each other “in remembrance of you” just like communion — restoring unity in a relationship that was once damaged and fractured. Thank you for providing for our every need — not just what we think we need. I’m sorry that I don’t always trust you even though I know you are trustworthy. I’m sorry that I don’t always forgive or love. Please heal my deep mistrust of others, my hurt from past experiences that has taught me not to trust others — and forgive my breaking the trust of others and hurting others in the past. Please help me to truly love others and trust you — heal my heart, open my eyes, do whatever you need to do to help me be more like you — for your honor — and so that I am not a thorn in the lives of others but am a savory fruit. Please Lord, help me. Amen.

Paying Back Evil

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord . Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Romans 12:17‭-‬21 NLT

I will execute terrible vengeance against them to punish them for what they have done. And when I have inflicted my revenge, they will know that I am the Lord .”
Ezekiel 25:17 NLT

At the place where the road passes some sheepfolds, Saul went into a cave to relieve himself. But as it happened, David and his men were hiding farther back in that very cave! “Now’s your opportunity!” David’s men whispered to him. “Today the Lord is telling you, ‘I will certainly put your enemy into your power, to do with as you wish.’” So David crept forward and cut off a piece of the hem of Saul’s robe. But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this to my Lord the king. I shouldn’t attack the Lord ’s anointed one, for the Lord himself has chosen him.” So David restrained his men and did not let them kill Saul. After Saul had left the cave and gone on his way, David came out and shouted after him, “My Lord the king!” And when Saul looked around, David bowed low before him. Then he shouted to Saul, “Why do you listen to the people who say I am trying to harm you? This very day you can see with your own eyes it isn’t true. For the Lord placed you at my mercy back there in the cave. Some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, ‘I will never harm the king—he is the Lord ’s anointed one.’ Look, my father, at what I have in my hand. It is a piece of the hem of your robe! I cut it off, but I didn’t kill you. This proves that I am not trying to harm you and that I have not sinned against you, even though you have been hunting for me to kill me. “May the Lord judge between us. Perhaps the Lord will punish you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you. As that old proverb says, ‘From evil people come evil deeds.’ So you can be sure I will never harm you. Who is the king of Israel trying to catch anyway? Should he spend his time chasing one who is as worthless as a dead dog or a single flea? May the Lord therefore judge which of us is right and punish the guilty one. He is my advocate, and he will rescue me from your power!” When David had finished speaking, Saul called back, “Is that really you, my son David?” Then he began to cry. And he said to David, “You are a better man than I am, for you have repaid me good for evil. Yes, you have been amazingly kind to me today, for when the Lord put me in a place where you could have killed me, you didn’t do it. Who else would let his enemy get away when he had him in his power? May the Lord reward you well for the kindness you have shown me today. And now I realize that you are surely going to be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will flourish under your rule. Now swear to me by the Lord that when that happens you will not kill my family and destroy my line of descendants!” So David promised this to Saul with an oath. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went back to their stronghold.
1 Samuel 24:3‭-‬22 NLT

It is easy to get carried away and mad, and react from one’s emotions when we feel like someone has wronged us. It is quite natural to want to respond with an “I’ll show them” attitude — but responding to evil with evil is never a winning strategy long term. And even if a man seems to have won by overpowering his opponent with evil in the moment — it is clear over time who acted with honorable intentions versus who was driven by wrath and animus.

I’ve found that wrathful, cutthroat, prideful people are quick to “read into” some things as being personal attacks and as opposition because “that’s what it means when I behave that way”. And that is how they see the world — as crushing others to lift up themselves, or coddling those they wish to rise high enough to sit beside. So communication and action may be assumed to be political or strategic in nature beyond the actual situation at hand — not just functional.

Saul sought to kill David even though David had worked loyally for the King, because his mind and his own insecurities had been twisted into examining David for anything he might use against him to justify killing him. But David did not seek to destroy Saul. Even when he had the opportunity to kill (or at least hurt Saul or allow others to destroy Saul) — his conscience and his character wouldn’t even allow him to seek vengeance. The catch is that David wasn’t some perfectly virtuous man — we see his many faults laid out in scripture — but David walked with the Lord and the Lord spoke with him and corrected him and guided him.

So when we face an enemy with their minds set on harming us or our friends or family, we might want to set a trap for them. We might want to get revenge. We might want to hurt them like they have hurt us. But… have we chosen to walk with the Lord? Are we surrendered to the narrow way following in His footsteps?

If so, then we need to be honorable — not just “look honorable” so that we can prove ourselves the “better man” — but we should humble ourselves in the midst of our sinful nature screaming out for revenge — and we should genuinely offer peace and good will. Even if they will think that is is just a wrathful, cutthroat, prideful act because that is how they see the world (in the absolute worst case, this could be true, but worst cases are rare) — it is the only way that we can truly hand over the situation to God and say “May the Lord therefore judge which of us is right and punish the guilty one”. It is The Way of approaching God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.
Matthew 7:12‭-‬14 NLT

We read, “Enter through the narrow gate.“

Jesus is the narrow gate, the door, The Way.

So Jesus said again, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I am the Door for the sheep [leading to life]. All who came before Me [as false messiahs and self-appointed leaders] are thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did not hear them. I am the Door; anyone who enters through Me will be saved [and will live forever], and will go in and out [freely], and find pasture (spiritual security). The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].
John 10:7‭-‬10 AMP

Those who refuse to enter the narrow gate, the door, The Way — even if they hang around near the door (in religious tradition and practice) but never humbly enter and follow Christ in The Way — these might admit that “it sounds like a righteous thing to do”, but they will refuse to actually humble themselves and follow in The Way — because they would rather seek to “slaughter foolish sheep” for their own pleasure and advantage, rather than trust or believe that the Shepherd will protect His “naive sheep”. And if they do not repent, they will only learn the truth when the Shepherd executes His justice, His vengeance, His protection of His beloved upon them.

I dont wish the wrath of the Lord upon anyone. But if I have to choose between someone facing my vengeance or God’s vengeance for what they have done (seemingly to me or against me) — I hope that I can trust and settle for God’s justice, but hope for their repentance — and also check my own conscience for whatever repentance I need consider myself (like David).

We must not overlook our own need for repentance when wronged by another. We must not look past our need to offer reconciliation — or we might think ourselves David in the story when our heart and thoughts toward the other person has truly been more like Saul — and we were blind to the log in our own eye because that speck in theirs just kept driving us mad.

Don’t let hatred and unforgiveness and an unwillingness to communicate and reconcile leave your mind twisted and hateful, prideful and wrathful.

Enter the gate.

Come to Christ for real.

Not just in religious outward motion. Not just in many shameful, remorseful tears (don’t stop short at remorse and never make it to repentance), but in faithful surrender to walk in The Way.

Come to Him today, count the cost of being a foolish, naive, humble sheep of the Master’s flock, and see that you need not work against others to enjoy the blessings, that you need not earn honor among honorless men, that you do not have to strive for victory when He is already victorious. Amen.

“Alternatives to Honesty”

Another wonderful set of questions from my childhood friend Brian Eshleman, related to his blogs here:

https://brianesh73.livejournal.com/4290495.html https://brianesh73.blogspot.com/2020/07/jeremiah-2612-prevailing-sense-of-sent.html

55 Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word. John 8:55, New King James Version

Question: Jesus, Teacher even in the crux of intense criticism, lays out the alternative to honesty about His relationship with His Father. “If I said what you expect, I’d be lying.”

Where have the real risks of saying and living Christ’s Truth been put in perspective by the even more real dangers of the alternative? John Piper calls this the Myth of Safety.

Answer: The “alternative to honesty” is easy on the tongue of liars. They will call it half truths, or spin, or positivity, or lots of things that make something easier to swallow than the simple, factual truth.

Whether falsely accusing or using unjust scales against those they wish to control and oppress — or white washing bad things to look good to those they hope to impress — a liar is more interested in “how it might sound” (subjective) rather than verify and speak actual truth (factual).

The risks for speaking truth in the time of Jesus and His disciples included torture and death. And in today’s age, speaking truth with a pure goal of moving things forward in truth — with little regard for the politics of the matter, or how ones wording might be twisted — can cost people their jobs and all kinds of other costs socially, financially, and personally. I definitely know this from personal experience.

If you don’t line up with the liars and play their game and tell their lies, you may be identified as a threat, and they may do whatever they can to eliminate you. And if there is no actual evidence to be found to bring against you, they may twist your words and say, “He said ________.” and then say “_______ is how he meant it. Can’t you see how it has to be read/understood ______ way. That is how he meant it to sound.” And in the day of the disciples, we see that it didn’t matter that the accusations dont match up to what a disciple actually said, did, or meant. So whether someone is guilty or not will bear very little consequence. (But don’t we all consider ourselves fully justified in the moment anyway — so beware your own deceitful heart.)

But whatever loss of social status or loss of job or persecution a Christ follower might encounter, it is nothing in comparison to the price liars will pay for eternity in the pit of hell. At least that is what the Word of God tells us:

and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death. Roman’s 21:8b

So the cost to the liars in eternity is much greater than any temporary opposition or discomfort or unfair treatment we may face for not participating in their lies. Instead of being mad at them — we should pity them for their short sightedness and plead with God that He “Forgive them Father, they know not what they do.”

This isn’t always easy when facing the very real circumstance of suffering because we didn’t go the easy way.

Now therefore, amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your God; then the Lord will relent concerning the doom that He has pronounced against you. Jeremiah 26:13, New King James Version

Question: Jeremiah comes down to us with the sobriquet of the weeping prophet. His deservedly negative message gives us the word jeremiad. Yet he doesn’t become so locked into delivering the bad news, so set like Jonah on his own vindication that he fails to cast a vision for repentance and reconciliation.

What godly communicator have you known who did both well? In what instances have you encountered someone who could be confrontational about the costs of defying God’s expectations but also inspirational that the struggle to change was well worth it? In which aspect have you had to grow more?

Answer: Without believing and appreciating Christ’s suffering on the cross,  what justification could we make that wouldn’t have us seeking vengeance in some manner or taking joy in the pending destruction and devastation of those we might consider worthy of God’s wrath. It is easy to look at those who have wronged us and who we see as “liars” as deserving the wrath of God, but that isn’t the Spirit of God. Knowing the undeserved mercy we have received — even though we might detest the dishonesty — we must remember our own unmerited grace, and have a heart for even those who oppose us and wrong us. Not just saying, “I wish you the best” through clenched teeth, but genuinely hoping and praying that hearts would be changed, that prideful egos would be deflated (quite probably including our own in that statement), that repentance and reconciliation would triumph, and that God would be glorified.

Shouldn’t it be freeing, in the midst of great trial, to see clenched jaws and clenched fists and red faces and raised voices opposing you as enemies — when your humble offer in return is peace, is reconciliation, is an offer for collaboration, communication, understanding, and community? But isn’t it tempting to mimic the agitation and anger and pride instead?

I’ve encountered many leaders in my professional career (and in my friendships with “men of God”) who have been able to be both “confrontational about the costs of defying [] expectations but also inspirational that the struggle to change was well worth it” — and the key thing that made them good at this was that they were in the trenches with those they expected to influence and inspire. They were invested in and engaged with the people, not casting commands from afar, but seeing rough edges as an opportunity for constructive criticism and feedback and growth through their leadership — rather than seeing people as disposable commodities. If one cannot love and respect, he will condemn instead of convict — and he might correct but never inspire change.

And if one cannot love and respect and seek reconciliation, pride is the root of the cancer that eats at his insides and keeps him away from the life giving power of Christ. One must lay down pride, surrender, and die daily to self if he truly wants to live.

The confrontational part is easier for me because I’m by nature more “matter of fact” and “direct” in my communications. I would say that it is because I’m “focused on seeking truth” and “the best solution”, and I don’t care if it comes from me or from someone else. So I don’t get offended if someone else’s idea proves to be better, I’m actually excited to have learned something new that I can put into practice.

So, naively thinking that everyone has this same perspective, I step out boldly to speak, not expecting people to be offended, but expecting collaboration of ideas, questions, criticism, and a respectful consensus. However, I say this approach is naive, because thinking that everyone is actually mutually respectful and seeking to work together just isn’t always the case. Ego, hunger for power/authority, and personal insecurities in others can interpret this direct approach as intimidating — and my communication of the facts/specifics can be wrapped in an imperfect delivery — not considering all the ways it might step on egos and insecurities. And this can breed misunderstanding and division.

So, I would say that I need to improve in my understanding of those things that get in the way — grow in my understanding that everyone doesn’t think like I do, nor are they always going to hear what I’m trying to communicate from the simple statement of facts/circumstances/truth.

Lord, many times I only see my own side of things. Help me to be willing to care enough about others to hear and try to understand their side of things as well. Help me to not judge others harshly just because it seems that we are set in opposite directions. Help me to appreciate differing opinions and perspectives and not stifle communication and understanding, but to listen and consider and to seek reconciliation where possible. Help me to make every effort I should, yet to also know when to shake the dust from my sandals if reconciliation is impossible. Amen.