The purpose of why I write this I will never know but the bottom line is...
~TRUTH ALWAYS WINS ~ LOVE ALWAYS WINS ~ MY SAVIOR GOD ALWAYS WINS~
I, like everybody, struggle with things. Unexplainable things. Where my mind goes when life goes wrong, when someone else's bad decision effects me, or when words cut deep to the bone. Judgement does no good, being angry or bitter or even spiteful does no good. It is easy to forget how to handle the tough things in life when your clouded by emotions and hurt. I too am guilty of sin yesterday, today and tomorrow...I need God's direction.
I think about my little son, who has not yet learned bad from good. As my husband disciplined him today for (his continuous and dangerous) act of climbing on the desk to play with things he shouldn't - I sat and thought: What if Gods booming voice would speak disciplines directly to me?
"Son, do not climb on the desk. Its a no-no and you can get injured. Don't do it anymore from here on out, I love you." says the father to the son.
"Son, do not lie, cheat, steal, say careless words, have hate in your heart, do drugs or get drunk, do not murder or slander(etc). Its a no-no, you could be injured, incur hurt and pain or even cause death. Please hear me out, I love you.I will teach you a better way!" says our Father God to us.
God says plenty in the bible about how he disciplines those he loves(Hebrews 12:6), that in our weakness, we are made stronger in Christ(2 Corinthians 12:9-11), and how he loves us and despite our constant rejection and betrayal He forgives us and accepts us.
Still the words of Jesus ring in my mind:
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have
loved you, that you also love one another." John 13:33-35
Why is this so difficult to grasp? When a friend is walking out their faith and their theology doesn't line up with mine? When someone who is "supposed to love me" fails to do so? When my pastors or fellow church members let me down or don't live up to the "standard"? Or when despite all efforts I circle around the same sins and struggles?
Recently I wrote an original thought quote that struck question among friends as to what it means. A thought that has been nagging at me for a while. Here it is.
Just because a person believes in God doesn't make them God so there is no need to treat them like a God.
I will be honest. It sounds harsh or spiteful, or packed with an alterior motive but it's not. I will tell you why. There is an unspoken(hurt enducing) "standard" in our culture today that says "If you believe in God and go to church then you must have it all together." That means you don't sin. You follow the bible exactly. You always do/say the right things and you (heaven forbid) never hurt others. You have it all together.
Whoa! I am guilty of feeling this toward others, and I know I'm not alone. Once more, how wrong am I! That I would put others on such a high pedestal. Truth: Sin alone binds us, no matter whether or not we believe in God. HOWEVER! It is when we rush to God just as we are, sin and all, that He makes us whole again.
HE RESTORES: even when someone at church calls you a fake, even when the person who should care the most lets you down, even when tragedy hits and you've lost something or someone important to you. Even if your the one who hurt someone.
Did I make myself clear? Because I don't want either of us to miss the mark on this one. No matter who you are, where you come from, how much good work you've done, money you have, or how knowledgeable you are, nothing can take away the fact the we are human and we have a sin nature (Genesis 2 & 3) that will inevitably choose destructive behaviors despite our better knowledge. That there is a God, and He loves us so much! So much so He sent His only son to die on a cross as a sacrifice for our sins. That we may be reconciled to Him and who we were is no more when we accept Jesus into our hearts. Its the greatest miracle on earth and my hope is, that when I get to heaven and have the chance to meet this God who loves me so much, then I will fully comprehend the cross, and what He's done for us.
So back to "how easy it is to forget how to deal with the tough stuff". I forget the supremacy of God! If He is who He says He is, then He is capable of all things! Even helping me through bad theology, un-forgiveness, hurt, and pride. If all I have tangibly of God is the bible then thats what I will read and accept to understand Him - word for word. If all I can do is pray and have faith that God will listen and respond, then I will pray. If all I have to do to find a refuge from the pains of this life and the questions of eternity is believe Jesus died for my sins and through Him I can be forgiven and have eternal life, then I believe. I will be sold out on Jesus and have hope its Him who guides my every step and corrects my path as I walk. I will die trying. And when pain and afflictions hit I will remember what Jesus said "love one another" because its the greatest commandment He gave us.
I end with this: My prayer for you all is that God would reveal Himself to you in a personal and deep way. So much so that you are convinced as I am. That your lives would be filled with a passion and desire to seek Him. God is the ONLY one who knows your situations and your solution. If you want the right advice,seek God, look to Him and when He directs your path, listen! Beware of pride, its a sure way to cut your communication off from God. And please, love others above everything having grace and compassion on them because they're probably hurting as much as you are. Lets move forward on the same team encouraging one another and building into each others lives. Surround yourself with a support network of fellow believers who can give biblically sound wisdom. Salvation is worth fighting for, I promise.Because truth always wins, love always wins, and my Savior God always wins.
Did I make myself clear? Because I don't want either of us to miss the mark on this one. No matter who you are, where you come from, how much good work you've done, money you have, or how knowledgeable you are, nothing can take away the fact the we are human and we have a sin nature (Genesis 2 & 3) that will inevitably choose destructive behaviors despite our better knowledge. That there is a God, and He loves us so much! So much so He sent His only son to die on a cross as a sacrifice for our sins. That we may be reconciled to Him and who we were is no more when we accept Jesus into our hearts. Its the greatest miracle on earth and my hope is, that when I get to heaven and have the chance to meet this God who loves me so much, then I will fully comprehend the cross, and what He's done for us.
So back to "how easy it is to forget how to deal with the tough stuff". I forget the supremacy of God! If He is who He says He is, then He is capable of all things! Even helping me through bad theology, un-forgiveness, hurt, and pride. If all I have tangibly of God is the bible then thats what I will read and accept to understand Him - word for word. If all I can do is pray and have faith that God will listen and respond, then I will pray. If all I have to do to find a refuge from the pains of this life and the questions of eternity is believe Jesus died for my sins and through Him I can be forgiven and have eternal life, then I believe. I will be sold out on Jesus and have hope its Him who guides my every step and corrects my path as I walk. I will die trying. And when pain and afflictions hit I will remember what Jesus said "love one another" because its the greatest commandment He gave us.
I end with this: My prayer for you all is that God would reveal Himself to you in a personal and deep way. So much so that you are convinced as I am. That your lives would be filled with a passion and desire to seek Him. God is the ONLY one who knows your situations and your solution. If you want the right advice,seek God, look to Him and when He directs your path, listen! Beware of pride, its a sure way to cut your communication off from God. And please, love others above everything having grace and compassion on them because they're probably hurting as much as you are. Lets move forward on the same team encouraging one another and building into each others lives. Surround yourself with a support network of fellow believers who can give biblically sound wisdom. Salvation is worth fighting for, I promise.Because truth always wins, love always wins, and my Savior God always wins.
"How He Loves" Kim Walker
I
