So often, we have not discussed real issues because people don’t like to hear things that go against what they believe to be true. Not hearing or discussing an issue will not make the issue go away. What it does is allow the issue to grow unchallenged and in many cases get bigger and bigger. The question is what issues are we allowing to get bigger and what issues are we allowing to diminish in not discussing them?
So far by not discussing the real issues, lawlessness is growing bigger and bigger and bigger and God’s truth has taken the back seat on public transportation (don’t talk about it) and in some cases is not even allowed on the bus.
So what is our example in what to do when we see something is not quite right…do we ignore it, or do we address it? Well, most say that if it does not concern you leave it alone. Well, that may work for a while, for a lifetime maybe as long as you know how to stay away from people. But, sooner or later complacency will destroy all you loved and held so dearly.
Imagine, 33 A.D., Jesus is entering the Temple courts. He sees the merchants selling their wares for a great offering that assures great blessings. He starts to make a whip from cords and you are there…do you advise him to look the other way and all the merchants mean well. Do you tell him not to rock the boat they do this all the time and have for over 50 years now and much good comes from it? And if you did say those things, do you think Jesus would have decided you were right and stop what he was going to do? Think what he did… in the middle of much shouting and pleas for him to stop (I’m sure they just didn’t sit there as their tables were thrown over) and the whip driving the animals out of the market place must have been quite a disturbance.
John 2:13-17 13Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers [b]doing business. 15When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. 16And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” 17Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house [c]has eaten Me up.”
They later arrested Jesus in the Garden, accused him, scourged him and crucified him. But, that never made them right. It only condemned them further.
When we look at the scripture “Zeal for your house has eaten me up.” that is a powerful statement. Ponder it, pray about it, and see what the Holy Spirit speaks to you about that.
Psalm 69:9 For the zeal of your house has eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached you are fallen on me. Psalm 119:139 My zeal has consumed me, because my enemies have forgotten your words. (Read these in their full context.)
SEARCH FOR TRUTH OF WHAT JESUS HAS SAID TO THE CHURCHES…NOT MAN
So in these latter days that started at the time of our Lord and savior Jesus the Christ, we must search for truth and read the scriptures for ourselves. We will never be perfect, but we can strive to seek the truth in the Word of God. There are things we will not always understand, and times when we believe we understand a passage, only to grow more later and see with fresh eyes it means something we never knew before. One small verse can have many meanings…at deeper levels as we grow in our faith, but always take it within the context that it was given in.
We can pull words out and one liners and use them as weapons, even making them say what we want them to say brow beating any young believer or older one into doing what you tell them to do out of fear of hell fire or God not blessing them if they don’t do as you are instructing them to do, especially when it comes to sending in your money. Yet, is that of God? His word is line upon line, upon line, precept upon precept, upon precept, here a little, there a little. All scripture is for edification and meant to be received in love and shared in love.
As we know in part and learn in part, let us share the truth of God’s word and be bold in proclaiming it.
Many write from first hand experience, and some from opinion. Many write from their own form of justification. We are in a season of threshing and gold tried in the fire. It is what it is. If your house is in order, you have nothing to fear nor to change. If not…now is the time to get things in order.
God bless us all, stay strong and trust in the Lord.
Dianne
