I have endured many seasons of abusive nonsense in the name of “love” and “Christian” ministry. Most of which were propagated by so-called “Godly” people who were, in their own minds, doing the will of God.
This is not a new phenomenon and I am not its only “victim”, I have done my fair share of promoting this terrible reality.
So, in an effort to just communicate a simple idea, let me be brief. There are two ideas that every true believer needs to keep as our mission for daily living.
Number One:
Learning, Knowing, and Being settled in the promise of God’s redemption through Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Number Two:
Living and Loving, with the heart of grace, according to the example of Christ while continuing to grow in grace by the Word of God. (see number one)
I didn’t say it, God did. (Greatest of commandments…)
Loving your neighbor is EQUAL to loving God. For these things are the display and essence of righteousness in the gospel of Christ and thus should be paramount in the lives of His people.
Until we get this right, we need to shut up about everything else. Most of what I see in the “church” of America today is akin to a lot of toddlers having tantrums, not getting their way, crying about their rights and truth, and forsaking the very nature of Jesus; His eternal loving-kindness.
There is way too much noise in the mix and we need clarity. I’ve been saying this for a very long time, but in the last four years, I sort of lost my identity, my voice, my mind, and my heart. By the mercy of God, these have been restored.
Come all who labor, He will give us rest. That was the evangelistic appeal of Christ. Rest, quit working so hard. Be at peace… He is your peace…