Visual Parables

Have we destroyed discipleship this way?

An often overlooked truth about this verse is that we need to deal with our own mess in order to effectively assist others with their mess. Which is revealing in the sense, because so many believers are not helping anyone. Is it because there is an inherent fear of exposing how unclean we really are in the process? That our holiness is but a whitewash. We can’t give what we don’t have after all. So it’s no wonder we turned seek and save the lost into seek and criticize the lost. There is nothing sacred about that approach, it is human nature. It is a product of the sinful nature of the flesh. Even the secular world does that.

One must ask if we are truly loving as Jesus did, and do we even ask ourselves what that really means? He always tempered his love in truth. Yet so often we just patronize people, and accept their self destructive behavior as not to offend them. Or the opposite extreme of forcing submission without concern for sincerity on their part. Either extreme is only tempered in our comfort, not his truth. By denying uncomfortable truths, or whitewashing a mere illusion of truth, our love is anything but Christ like.

Remember, Elijah wasn’t excused from his mission. He was granted the strength to carry on. Yet many of us never start in the first place.

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,” -Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭26‬ ‭📜

“For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” -Hebrews‬ ‭2‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ 📜 We often dismiss the human side of Jesus since we equate that with imperfection. Yet because he experienced mortal life in all its messiness, he can be empathetic to our plight. So don’t let his divinity make you treat him as distant.

Never mind the safe space, seek a salvation space.

The irony of the “Be Kind” mantra.

“But to the wicked person, God says: “What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips? You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you. When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers. You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit. You sit and testify against your brother and slander your own mother’s son. When you did these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly like you. But I now arraign you and set my accusations before you. “Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:” -Psalms ‭50‬:‭16‬-‭22‬ - Torn to Pieces

Reflect vs Ruminate

Are you sick of all the accusations and rationalizations of similar toxic behavior?

“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are Spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.”‭‭ “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”-Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬-2