THE GATE CALLED BEAUTIFUL
About two weeks ago, during a night of prayer with those who are diligent to come together for such a time, it was brought to our attention that those deceived by the spirit of homosexuality were possibly going to be coming to our community for a previously planned event known as "Diversity Weekend". Anyone, having lived in the community for a few years, might very well describe the mix of people who have chosen to make their home here as diverse, but that particular adjective does not in any way convey the same meaning implied by those who use that particular weekend to make a public statement about their chosen, albeit perverse, lifestyle.
We, as disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, are becoming ever increasingly aware of the fact that the body of Christ has (for lack of a better term) dropped the ball when it comes to actively using our vote to promote our community as a wholesome, family oriented destination. It is also abundantly evident, some, who are in a position to prosper directly from such ungodly activities, also just happen to be people who profess to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour.
As I have mentioned in the past, during times of sharing, my devotional time to prayer and the reading of the Holy Word of God is a bit different than what I assume (perhaps incorrectly) the majority of believers do. First of all, I spend time in prayer. Then, prior to the opening and reading of God's Word, I ask our Lord to tell me where HE wants me to spend time in HIS WORD. I ask our Lord in the name of Jesus to bring upon me the power of the Holy Spirit to show me what HE wants me to learn about HIM.
Truly, I thank God that HE knows the beginning and the end of all things! The Lord brought to my thoughts a few weeks ago the book of John, chapter eight. In the first part of the chapter, the Jewish leaders bring before Jesus a woman caught in the act of adultery. These leaders, all men thirsty for blood, set the woman before Jesus and proceeded to question HIM about what should be done with the woman. Jesus at first ignores them, but after being pressed, cuts them to the quick when HE says, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." The Words of Jesus (I believe empowered by the Holy Spirit) brought to the woman's accusers our Lord's awareness of their own sin; some of them having been the very men with which this woman had had intimate relations, thereby showing them to be hypocrites of the very law which they supposedly represented in godliness.
Once the men who had brought the woman before Jesus had departed, the most wonderful part of this incident comes unto us. Jesus says to the woman, "Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?" And the woman responds, "No man, Lord." Here is where the love of our Saviour speaks to our own hearts when Jesus says to the woman, "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."
Note that Jesus doesn't deny the fact that the woman did indeed sin, but HE tells the woman to change her lifestyle. But I want you to see what I believe isn't said to the woman, yet conveyed by Jesus. Jesus was telling this woman that although HE didn't approve of her sin, HE still loved her.
I know I have been every bit as guilty as those who accused the woman once I examine my own past thoughts and/or actions. Maybe not in the exact circumstance, but certainly in similar circumstances. So my own dilemma, knowing I also am a child of God that knows without Jesus I would be condemned were it not for the Grace of God through Jesus Christ my Lord, is how do I convey the love of Jesus without condemning those I know are also every bit as much loved by the same creator.
Some of you may recall my question regarding Acts, chapter three, when I asked what it was that Peter and John gave the man crippled from birth which caused the complete turnaround in the man's circumstances, not to mention life. I bring to your remembrance the book of The Acts, chapter 3, beginning at verse 2: "And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; (3) Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. (4) And Peter, FASTENING HIS EYES UPON HIM with John, said, LOOK ON US. (5) And he gave heed unto them, EXPECTING to RECEIVE something of them. (6) Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; BUT SUCH AS I HAVE GIVE I THEE: In the NAME of JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH rise up and walk. (7) And HE TOOK HIM BY THE RIGHT HAND, and lifted him up; and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength." So what did Peter and John give the man which caused the man to be healed? I believe they gave that man the most precious gift in their possession, the purest form of the love of Jesus. Okay, so how did these two disciples impart the love of Jesus which healed the man? I believe it can be best described as "A+B=C"
(A) Peter had to BELIEVE that what he was about to say to the lame man was THE TRUTH and going to produce the end result, and (B) the lame man had to BELIEVE that he was being told THE TRUTH and going to RECEIVE. Also note that Peter, believing, reached forth and took the lame man by the hand and physically began to lift him up.
I believe THE TRUTH is JESUS LOVES me. And I also believe Jesus wants me to not only be healed of my physical afflictions, but also those associated with mental and spiritual grievance. And I also believe that what Jesus wants me to know is the same thing HE wants every one on the face of the planet to know. But not only does HE want me to know HE loves me and "by grace am I saved by faith in HIM", but HE wants me to share with others HIS LOVE. And one of first things I have to learn to do is replace all the condemnation directed at others by the "flesh" with the SPIRIT of the LOVE of JESUS. That, I believe, is the crux of the answer regarding an unbelievers lifestyle.
I know from experience the Lord has given me opportunities to share my faith (or, what I believe because I know it is true) with others. When I'm honest in sharing my faith, looking the person directly in the eyes, I've personally witnessed the power of the love of Jesus going forth and affecting the person to whom I was speaking. But I have also noticed of late, it can be said of me, I've let the wear and tear of life affect my own personal relationship with Jesus. Never the less, when given opportunity, and seeing an opening to share the name of Jesus with others, I hope it can be said of me that I was able to forget about my own self-condemnation and express the love of my Saviour with someone else.
Prior to the day that God showed himself to me in a way I pray I never forget, a few months before the day, I used to speak the following when tempted to judge someone else: I'm not the judge, or the jury. I'm not the prosecutor, or the defense. I am only the witness. (Romans 3:4?)
By HIM, through HIM,
because of HIM:
and HIS name is
JESUS. |
