Wow, the 6 antitheses of Matthew 5 (You've heard it said...I say...(Matt. 5)) are some of the more difficult passages that I have preached on in a while. When what Jesus says is so contrary to what the audience of that time, and we as the audience today are accustomed to hearing, it is sure to raise our hair at some point and make each of us a little uncomfortable. But, what I find is that being uncomfortable is not a bad thing. In fact it is at that exact moment that we have to take some sort of action. And these seem to be a few of the normal choices.
1. Pretend that I didn't hear it. While this may seem like I'm doing nothing, by doing nothing I've made a choice to do something. And that something is to do whatever I need to do to distance myself from the confrontation of the Spirit. I convince myself that the message was what "person X" really needed to hear, rather than believing the message was for me. I attempt to dull that rumbling in the core of my being because if I take the time to address that rumble, it will mess with my way of living, because God has already made it clear that he has some work he wants to do on me.
2. I can give it a little time in my brain, and then when I've found a way to justify the way that I live now, even through it's not quite what God has asked of me, I at least feel good that I have now convinced myself to feel good about the choices that I have made.
3. My third option is the one that is the most difficult...to wrestle out the truth of what I have just heard with God. This is not an easy process! It is not for the weak of heart. This is for the humble and contrite. It is for those who readily admit that God is doing a great work in them and he is not finished. And this person has come to the place of realizing that being obedient to God's voice is more critical to their living than anything else. And when the voice of God is heard, action is taken...no matter the cost or the pain.
It worries me when I see in myself either of the first two options. Because when I go down either of those roads I know in the pit of my stomach what I'm doing, but at that point I love me more than I love God. And it's that truth that hurts the most. It's when I stand back and realize that I would rather play pseudo-god than listen and respond to the God of all the universe who has given me life, hope and a future. What foolishness, what an ego-maniac I can be.
Oh God, that I would be more ready to hear your voice and respond to the convicting voice of your spirit.
This week will be a message on the next 2 of the antitheses...1) Divorce and 2) Oaths. It is my prayer that as the week goes and God continues to solidify the sermon in my heart that the words, tone and intention would be beneficial to the body and bring him glory in the midst of difficult teachings for his followers. The funny thing is that each week in my preparation, God has to do a great work in me as I prepare and that is not always enjoyable!
As we head into this next sermon I would love it if your would remember to pray for the service and what will be said as well as the hearts of all those who will hear the message whether in person or online.
Can I just say that our family definitely had to keep the whole, don't murder/don't be angry with another at the forfront of our minds on Sunday afternoon as we waited 1.25 hours for a meal while dining out in Abilene. Yes, reminders are real good and although a simple concept, it was difficult to not get really upset. Ok, we were all a little upset, some more than others. That may be a lame example for the whole anger issue, but it's real and it's everyday that we are challenged to be the salt of the earth!
ReplyDeleteAmanda, I really appreciate that thought at the end "It's real and it's everyday that we are challenged to be the salt of the earth!"Isn't it amazing to realize that everyday there are those moments where we are squeezed and sometimes what comes out isn't what we wish it were?! Thank the Lord that in those moments he helps us realize that which needs to be dealt with and we're able to confess it to him, learn and come a little closer to him!
ReplyDelete