Another round with local “Ministers” has me meditating on Jesus’s example. He was known for giving himself “for men” but not “too” them-“because he knew what was in them”. ( John 2:25). Deep stuff. Something of his personal identity and dignity maintained? Self consciousness without selfishness? Staying his course without distraction or self defense- no compromise with his purposes? I was deeply hurt and slightly offended. But should have known better at my age.
Most offenses seem to stem from compromising someones dignity with a self-serving perspective of an other’s motivations. A judgment of a heart condition-“No one should judge another man’s servant. Each servant stands or falls by his own master” (Romans 14:4).
God generally supports those stands and each individual. There are so many shades of gray between their chosen positions. Both more often than not can be right in particular context. They likely are “right.” from their perspective- but missed the others altogether. The Rabbis teach of the universal value of every human being. They believe everyone is the image of God and thus worthy of honor, respect, and consideration.
This Hebraic perspective brings us back to my teacher Art Katz’s comment in the “Spirit of Truth”. “The Church has succeeded at being right but failed at being real”. Surely this is an individual and personal problem rather than an institutional one. Yet, there is much dismissing of others as “heretics” in most religious cultures. Many assume others are missing it somehow. So many sure they know the only right way to be in Christ in its 47,000 sects.
I know Yeshua came full of grace and truth. But do we? Being judged doesn’t hurt as much any longer. I’m very much accustomed to the ignorance of others. They “look through a glass dimly” and do not know my heart, but they think they do. I seem to be a wild card Yahh plays on others to flesh out their judgments.
But I need to know how “not to give myself” to those people. I want to remain available for His use of me in their lives. I want to still love them without being offended when I’m not respected, dismissed or not loved back.
The Lord released me from my felt need to correct or teach what I know as true. We are each called by Paul “To be firmly convinced in your own mind” (Romans 14:5) As I am. He helped me understand those less aware of Yahh’s great capacity of acceptance of individuals free will. I am also mindful of Art’s probing question. “Do you know God as he truly is? Or as you think him to be?” Our theology often gets between ourselves and others and often God himself.
Yet Yahh reminds me to trust him with the paths others choose. He is sovereign. They are free to choose. It’s not up to me to correct those who are not interested, engaged or those resistant. We are generally called to stay in his peace. In these last days, the battles are all around us. We must carefully hear the Lord. We trust in his word and way. Picking our battles rather than one’s he has already won.
Rev 13:10 He gave as become a guide for me now. It is a quote from Jeremiah 15:2
‘This is what the LORD says: “‘Those who are destined for death will face death. Those who are destined for war will encounter war. Those who are destined for famine will experience famine. Those who are destined for captivity will go into captivity.’
A hard truth, but I am not the Judge. He is on his way…Jesus gave himself for them but he did not give himself too them. He’s come and will return, I am resting in his victory and finished work at the cross. I’ll follow Him with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength, leaving the judging to Him! I’ll stick in my lane I know where it will lead; they can see where theirs will. I hope to see you on the other-side!
works of words 