First off, let me begin by saying that I really, truly, beyond a doubt did not want to write this.
However, it has been shown to me that my reason for not wanting this out in the open is because of my pride alone. I did not want others within the situation to think they had gotten the better of me and I was in an irrational mess. That's when I saw how it was more about a me vs. them fight. And I was reminded the battle is not mine, but the Lord's. Anyway. I would ask you to read Mark 12:13-40. I wanted to type it out, but it's a bit long. Read it? Great. What's the point of reading that passage? Well, this week I have felt like Jesus. Let me tell you that does not happen often. I'm normally more of a Peter. I mean well, but I usually get fired up and stick my foot in my mouth. In this passage, Mark tells us the story of Jesus is being tested by the leaders of the Jewish community. At the beginning, the Pharisees wanted to know about taxes. Jesus answers to give to Caesar what is Caesar's and give to God what is God's. Can we take this for what it is? The world has its own. God has His own. There is a difference. We do not give to Caesar what is God's and we do not give to God what is Caesar's. (Don't start with the argument of all things are God's. They are not. Sin is not God's. All things are subject to His authority, that doesn't mean it belongs with him.) He moves on and the Sadducees pipe up. They want to know who gets the wife in heaven if she has been with seven (legally and by the law of Moses). Jesus says, "You do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God." *gulp* He finishes their argument with "He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken." Woah. Let's place this in context. Jesus has told us that HE is the bread of life, not Moses. Jesus came to fulfill the law. It's done. The old testament law is done. He fulfilled it. There's a new sheriff in town, and He is the law, and His law is life abundant. I wish I could unpack all of this, but I can't. I encourage you to read "Irresistible" by Andy Stanley to grasp it better. He then moves on to a scribe's question, and the scribe is told, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." In other words, keep going, you'll find the truth soon. And what does the truth do? Sets us free! Versus 38-40 are remarkable. "In His teaching He was saying: 'Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows' houses, and for appearance's sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation." *mic drop* The issue that led me hear was very unusual. An individual was questioning a post I shared on social media. The first comment left on the post was accusatory and came from misunderstanding the post. The next morning, I awoke to a message from the individual. Immediately, my spirit was in a state of unrest. I did not look at it, nor respond until after my quiet time so as I could hope to focus my heart and mind on the things not of this world and be a good representative for God. Reading the question, I knew something was up. It was worded as if to be seeking understanding, yet I knew that there was accusation behind it. My anxiety rose. (In my case, that means bad news physically.) I responded stating the point behind the post, while also expressing that a lack of personal experience probably keeps them from gathering what the person was saying. The next morning I was inundated with more messages. My immediate response was - Yo, I got kids to homeschool, a house to clean, and clients that pay. You can get a response when I get time. I didn't. I entertained these repetitive questions. I attempted to express that he was bringing in points that were nothing to do with the post and making more of things that were there. And when he questioned my foundation I almost decided to lose my Jesus, but thankfully kept it together. As I tried to put together the incoherent writings to try to gather what point he was attempting, I responded with this: The Bible tells us that we are to hold each other accountable as Christians, but the judgment of non-believers was left for God. I believe the reason this person could not accept a decent post was because the person saying it stated that they were gay. The point he was trying to make, to the best of my understanding, was that since it wasn't from a Christian we couldn't agree with it. Kind of like, if it wasn't from Moses the first century followers couldn't agree. It was a difficult two days of unnecessary discussion leading to unwanted pain in my body. But I will say this. Tuesday morning, I prayed. I prayed that if understanding were not possible, to just let this end peacefully. I prayed that if there was something I was missing, that I be shown it. I prayed that if I was doing as God wanted, that he would give me peace. Before I finished my prayer, my legs were no longer in pain. I knew from the Holy Spirit that the sin was not on my head as the pharisee believed. I resigned myself to not respond. I knew that there would be no common ground, and that this was a ruse for him to throw his legalism onto me in the crusader fashion while I had committed no crime. I did, however, write out a long response by hand so that I could type it with clarity if necessary. I didn't use it. Instead, I handed my phone to my husband and gave him the option: respond as you or as me, use my pre-written or your own, I do not care. I will not play this game anymore. For a moment, I wondered if he would think that he won because I turned over my phone to Charlie. Then, I realized. I don't care. For as competitive as I am, I don't need to win. I know he didn't win. I know my Lord will win. Whether it is today, this week, or when he comes again, the victory is His alone, and I as His daughter will share in that victory. It's a shame that some what people will miss when they add their own agenda to it.
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