We watched Lincoln a few weeks ago and it sparked some clarity in what I’ve heard God reveal to me.
“If you’re only willing to follow or gain wisdom from those who think, act and believe as you do, you’re setting yourself up for a stagnant and arrogant life making yourself to be as a god. It’s when we can see, without judgment, all people’s have something to give, whether through their brokenness or life experiences, strong faith (even if different from our own) we will not only gain wisdom, but put The True King back on the thrown, loving more like He. Amen.”
I read to Andy this quote and he said, “You are talking about believers, right?” And my response was, “No, actually.”
Here’s why. I had a pretty thick head when it came to my beliefs and those who “claimed to be Christians” but had a faith very different than mine. I use quotation marks because that’s exactly how I would say it. Sarcastically, as if they weren’t really Christ-followers.
I was so very concerned about how others’ theology looked that I barely took into consideration whether or not they believed the one thing that is core to being a part of the Body of Christ,
That Jesus Christ is the son of God, was sent down to earth because we needed (all of us) a Savior, who lived a perfect life as fully man and fully God, died a gruesome and undeserved death out of love for you and me, rose again and is now sitting on the Right Hand of God. He’ll come back again making ALL things new. All because He first loved us.
This is important. You must believe these things as they are The Gospel. Jesus is the way to heaven and there is nothing you or I can do enough of to get there.
*Sorry, I’ve been all preachy and even had a spontaneous, mini sermon with my kids today about Jesus and His kingdom and it’s okay because I got a few “amens” from the crowd! 😉
But, what is sad is that until I’ve come to a place in my life where I’ve been completely desperate for prayer for my son who is extremely ill, I didn’t have the eyes to see The Kingdom, The Body of Christ all around me, some believing things I didn’t or do not.
But these same people are loving on us like crazy during this trial we face, helping to make this season livable. These same people are coming along side us, giving up time and love to serve us in this extreme time of need. These same people are praying fervently for our son as if he was their own.
I didn’t believe the way I do now, before this trial as far as healing…God started building my faith way back when He told me to pray over a man in Target, on Father’s day who was revived after God kept telling me to pray almost 2 years ago.
So, why do we judge? Why are we so quick to make fun of those in The Body of Christ who see things differently or at a different part in their walk as you and me? It’s not right and I want to stop!
Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world, but to save it.(John 3:17) Is he telling us to condemn, then? Should we be quick to point fingers when their worship or their preaching looks differently than ours? No.
With that being said, there is obviously discernment needed and Spirit led guidance when attending a new church or listening to someone who is truly speaking out of love but may not be completely speaking truth to you.
There are sheep in wolves clothing and we want to keep watch for that, again, not to judge but to steer clear and if it’s appropriate, call them out as you feel led (out of love, people and IF IT’S YOUR PLACE!).
I want to be clear on the importance of discernment but discernment is NOT supposed to look like we are disregarding or even making fun of those who do this Christian life differently. Of this, I am guilty and of this, God has opened my eyes to loving on a whole new level.
Part of that is this vision I had when thinking of where people are in their faith. I don’t picture it, anymore, as like a running track with a beginning line and a finish line and people are further ahead or behind. There is so much more depth to it. It’s more like an actual body. A body doesn’t have a perfect beginning or ending line where we start and finish. There are many parts to a body and all are needed for it to work well.
Here is what the scriptures says about The Body of Christ
Spiritual Gifts
One Body with Many Members
Our family is being served, prayed for and loved on by MANY different parts of the body and guess what, it all looks different. I have seen The Body of Christ come together on a whole new level and I am humbled and completely thankful.
People are loving us the best way they know how. “Sending thoughts your way.” or “praying every day” or coming over and cleaning my house because they know my life doesn’t really allow for even that. Some of you pray more than you have ever before because you love our family that much.
Again, I’m not here to judge. I want to use this season in our life to draw others to Him and help you see that God is still good, even in the trials and that this trial, although it has shaken our faith, we have kept our faith and truly want to point others to Him as God will get all the glory out of it. Heck, he’s even going to continue to bring good out of it! Amen? < —- See? I’m all preachy today. I can’t stop.
So here I blog, staying up much later than I should because God knows when Zeke will be up screaming. I just wanted to share some wisdom God’s placed on my heart as someone who is going through the fire. Any good you see in me or Andy or in my strong children, it’s by God’s grace and mercy and I will take no credit only that I keep going to Him as my need for Him is great.
Amen and thank you agian for the way you lift our family and sweet Zekey up as we pray for God’s healing hand to come upon Him, in His perfect timing.