I can only speak for myself, but I’m hoping that since I seem to be struggling with this maybe Holy Spirit is directing others with the same issue to this post. 🙂
Being in the center of God’s will for your life involves something Jesus spoke of – something that just about everyone I know who is truly seeking the Lord for their lives, is combatting… If that sounds like you, you are probably going to wince at reading the next sentence… (dun, dun, daaaaah):
WALKING IN LOVE!
The Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 3:2:
“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power.”
I think you can agree with me, that we are ALREADY living in those days… In fact, I’ll take it a bit further to humbly say – I know that sometimes (okaaaaay – MOST times), THAT even describes me…. (Wincing).
I can honestly admit that Holy Spirit has shown me, I need serious work on loving – as I have passionately and devotedly prayed:
“Holy Spirit, if there is anything displeasing or evil within me – I pray that you would bring it to my attention, and remove it or help me to change it!”
I identify most with the Apostle Peter, my favorite Apostle, who definitely spoke from his heart -passionately but then had to BEHIND the passionate, heart-felt words, had to learn from Jesus, exactly what actions would prove His love (by following Jesus’ instructions). Holy Spirit’s response to me this morning, when I prayed that prayer was a stern word… (I’m being very transparent here). He directed me to Revelations 2:2-6:
“I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.”
“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do.”
Now, I recognized that Holy Spirit bringing that scripture to my attention, was NOT referring to the love I have for the Lord – but to the love I have lost in my tolerance of people… He gently, but firmly was making me aware that I haven’t been “walking in love” I have been “crawling.” Perhaps that describes you too?
It certainly was an ouch word for me, but it is one that I have to examine, because Jesus told us to walk IN love. He did it, and He expects us (that are called to show the LOVE and light of Christ) to do the same. If we want to be in the center of God’s will, we need to PRAY that Holy Spirit will INCREASE our love for others… (Talk about having to die to self!!! 🙂 )
It is okay to have holy indignation – Jesus did! Take a look at Matthew 17:17:
“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you?”
The difference is, Jesus had a right to saying that – He LIVED a sin-less life. I know I’m not the ONLY one who can say, I can’t say the same… I sin EVERY day, either knowingly or unknowingly and I have to ask the Lord for forgiveness EVERY day. It is okay to recognize that when someone who isn’t saved and doesn’t know the Lord handles themselves in the manner described above in 2 Timothy 3:2 BUT the difference is – WE KNOW THE TRUTH! And those that DON’T know the truth are spiritually blinded. Now even when you are dealing with people who call themselves Christians and condone things that God has spoken against, or that the Bible is clear in defining right from wrong – we STILL have to walk IN love. The truth of the matter is, we ALL need to do as spoken of in Matthew 7:5:
“First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
You very well *may* be in a place of spiritual maturity, or insight that someone else is not. It is not for us to “deal with that individual” it is for Holy Spirit to TEACH them or SHOW them what THEY need to work on, as He is TEACHING and SHOWING you! They may not be at the same spiritual place that you are – but that doesn’t mean that God isn’t working on YOU in ANOTHER area, because daily we are instructed (as in Romans 12:2):
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
As long as we have breathe in our bodies, we are being transformed by Holy Spirit renewing our minds – we just have to be open to that transformation! Some that call themselves Christians are not open minded (or concerned) with what it is the Holy Spirit wants to renew within them – that is between THEM and Holy Spirit! Not YOU and THEM and Holy Spirit! This is where the “walking in love” part is shown by us praying:
“Kingdom of God come, will of God be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.”
(That’s the love part). We are responsible for walking IN love, as Jesus walked in love. He didn’t SAY it would be easy… He didn’t even SAY we would ENJOY doing it – but if we want to walk in submission to what God has asked us to do, we need to recognize how important the loving part… And oh yes, I can tell you (what I’m sure a few would agree with) their are parts of me that others would deem unlovable too… (They would be wrong of course… 🙂 )
Jesus knew the truth in the power of love, because God IS love. God SHOWS love and all throughout the Bible, this is apparent. If God can look at nasty ol’ me – and love ME (and by the way YOU TOO) enough to leave the sweet confines of Heaven, venture down here in the form of man (Jesus), JUST to reach me where I am at (it doesn’t get ANY more personal than that)… Live a sin-less life and then show me HOW MUCH He loves me – by taking MY sins (and by the way YOURS TOO) on Himself, and die on the cross for forgiveness of those sins, then He rose from the dead and STILL in THAT love is seated on the right hand of the Father interceding on MY (and by the way YOURS TOO) behalf – than I can love that person(s) who irritates the heck out of me. That Christian who (by the way IS my Sister or Brother in Christ and is going to be with me for ALL eternity) is not as concerned as representing Jesus as I think (who am I to think?) they should… Or that unsaved relative who satan uses to poke the bear in me time and time again. I CAN walk in the love that God requests me to walk, because as in Romans 5:8:
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Ol’slewfoot purposely wants us NOT to walk in love. He wants us to resent those around us, judge those around us, HATE those around us – so when we choose to stick our noses in the air, or look like a Christian who has been sucking persimmons (what are persimmons anyhow, and why would want someone want to look like that? I’m joking)… The point is, you can’t truthfully intercede for someone you don’t love. How can they see Christ in you if you treat and talk to someone with animosity or disdain? If your voice doesn’t drip of it, your eyes may show it – and even more than that – God LOOKS at your heart, so even if the individual isn’t aware of it – GOD IS. We need to pray about our feeling a lack of love. Pray that Holy Spirit will renew it. Pray that God will forgive us for NOT walking in the love He Himself walks in DAILY with US. If this doesn’t hit a cord with you, I know that it is hitting a cord with me. Maybe we need to pray something like this:
“Father God, thank You for the love You have shown me and continue to show me even at the times when I am MOST unlovable! Forgive me for the times when I have not walked in love as Jesus requested I do. The days seem to be growing darker, and I need Holy Spirit to pour out a fresh anointing of love over me for others. I repent of my lack of love. Help me to see others as You see them. Help me not to walk in judgement, to leave ALL the judging to You, but to concentrate MORE upon those things I need to change about myself, while believing YOU will work on the hearts that need changing, need converting, need maturing to bring them to a place where they can be sensitive to YOUR will. Help ME to be sensitive to Your will and to have my actions line up with what You are telling ME to change about ME. Please help me to die to self, as I have given my life to you. Jesus, please live in and through me and help me to remember that I am a vessel for You and I just *may* be the only representative of You that someone sees. Help me to be someone who builds up (and does not tear down). Help me to be an example of Your love and not to be a hinderance to someone who doesn’t know You, so that when my life is done and I stand before You I can truly hear, “well done my good and faithful servant.” Thank You for instilling within me MORE love. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN.”
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