February 14 TRUE WITNESS James 1:19-20
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:19-20)
Is it possible to disagree about processes and procedures and still demonstrate the Biblically Mandated Command to Love One Another? Is it possible to disagree about the spending of financial resources, accounting for the allocation of financial resources, and the rules necessary for the maintenance of said monies? What is a pastor to say to a new believer that has witnessed a contentious business meeting of the local church where disagreements end in overt anger and heated, emotion driven words that are not indicative of any measure of tolerance, love for acceptance for anyone? Whether it is the “Color of the Carpet,” or the “Color of the New Paint for the Walls,” or the “Funding of Mission Projects,” or the idea that we should tolerate expressions of worship that we do not practice ourselves, WE, THROUGH THE ATOINING BLOOD OF JESUS ARE TO ACT FORGIVEN, SPEAK FORGIVEN, THINK FORGIVEN AND BE FORGIVEN! Jesus DID NOT DIE ON THE CROSS ON CALVARY’S HILL so that we, as Born-Again FORGIVEN Believers could squabble over insignificant things that DO NOT EDIFY the SAVIOR! “Well, preacher, you ought to recognize the issues and you should be telling that person that they are wrong! They are trying to ‘Run Over’ everyone and they are changing what we have done for the past 50 years! (actual comments that have been shared)” Agree – Disagree – It Really Doesn’t Matter! What Matters is our Witness, our Actions, our Words, and our Love for One Another (Even when we disagree), regardless of the circumstances! We are to be Christ-Like in every situation, in every action and word that we speak, and in every circumstance! “Please Lord, keep me from being a stumbling block that might cause a young believer to stumble and fall! Please make me an encourager and an example of Your Love in everything that I am blessed to be a part of making happen!” Consider the admonition from Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” What are you focusing on? Are you “locked in” on the temporal, earthly issues, while allowing Satan to use you to be a stumbling block for others? That is an issue between you and God, but I can tell you that the demonstration of hostility, anger, unkind words and the ability to exercise harsh words towards your neighbor and fellow believer are good indications of a level of spiritual immaturity! Take a moment to inventory and assess your motives, your actions, your words, and your witness! Are you bringing someone closer to a relationship with God, through Jesus, or further away? If you met you, would you be excited and curious about this Jesus? I understand that as long as this world, in its present form, continues to stand, there will be challenges, conflicts, disagreements, chaos, hurt-feelings, anger and a laundry list of other issues. Matthew’s Gospel tells us that there are “Tares” among the “Wheat,” and that this is simply the reality of things, but when Jesus returns, the “Tares” will be gathered up and tossed into the Fire! Please get your “Act” together! Please recognize the reality of His Grace and Embrace it, Claim it, and Live it! Please choose whom you will serve! PLEASE BE A PART OF THE VICTORY IN JESUS, NOT IN THE WRATH OF GOD! Stay Strong, Stay Focused… THE BEST IS YET TO BE!!
POSTSCRIPT: Recently, I inquired of a fellow pastor about some comments that were attributed to him, that didn’t fit with the man that I love and respect, and he became quite animated (Defensive & Bitter) in his response to my inquiry. “How dare you question me? Who do you think you are? You are not my judge! The Bible warns us about people like you!” Shocked, amazed, stunned, I stumbled for a response. “Brother, why such hostility and hatred? I was simply asking because it didn’t fit with the man that I know, love and respect!” From this point, our conversation took a weird turn, and he began to talk about politics and faith, and the more that he spoke, the angrier he became. Finally, he said that he was tired of people that would not understand the way that he was teaching and that he was close to being through with pastoring anyone or anything, because they would not see that he was right. Wow! Okay! “Brother, when is the last time that you prayed? When is the last time that you read the Holy Scriptures?” He became even more agitated, and I determined that discretion was the better part of valor, so I politely bid him a good day and beat a path away from him. Why this account? This man, fully believes that he is righteous in his position, his beliefs and his intolerant attitude towards anyone that opposes his stated position. He is using, as his standard, his emotions, his feelings and his pseudo knowledge of right and wrong, and not the Word of God! Why did my God allow this man to cross my path? As I have prayed over this, and have meditated on the implications of this encounter, I am so grateful to God for allowing me to see the folly of “My Way,” versus HIS WAY! “Please Lord, make me a channel of Blessings and make me a witness for YOUR WORD, not my Opinions!