There
were times when Jesus spoke out boldly against sin (woe unto you
Scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites Matthew 23:13), and other times when
He withheld truth (I have many things to say to you, but you are not
yet able to bear them John 16:12). Of course even when He was angry,
He spoke and acted in love, and so we need to, too. And there may
be times when He would lead us to say things like “I don’t know
if you realize the hypocrisy of expecting us, in the name of
tolerance, to accept you unconditionally, while at the same time
soundly attacking and condemning any and all positions that differs from
yours.” Since a soft answer turns away wrath (Proverbs 15:1), we
would need not only to have His leading to do this, but also His
grace to speak what He would have us speak in a way that honours both Him
and others.
But
there will also be times, like Jesus, when we need to hold back from
speaking the truth until the time is right to speak it. Our
tendency is to look on, and try to deal with the outward appearance,
but the Lord may have a different priority and be wanting to deal with the heart. And again we need
to stay close to Him to know what He would have us do, or not do.
But some have gone too far, even to the extent that they affirm
others in their sin. If a skinny, young, anorexic girl weighing only
75 points has embraced the lie that she is fat, it is not merciful to
agree with her. And it is not unloving, hateful or fearful, in the
right way, to help her gently to see that she has believed a lie.
They
say that if you don’t believe the truth, you will believe anything.
And when we throw out God, and the traditional values that have
served us well for millennia, we reap the consequences of the lies we
believe. Having said that, it is important for us to acknowledge
that there has been abuse and fear and hate, even among those who
name the Name of Christ. And there is need of a change of heart and
mind and action, and the making of amends in identification
repentance. In many cases it is more than understandable that some
feel like victims. But to go deeper, this tendency for our culture
to encourage people to stay stuck in victimhood, and to operate out of
it, is not merciful either. Indeed even secular psychological
research clearly shows the negative consequences of bitterness and
unforgiveness. In particular it poisons us and those we love
(Hebrews 12:15).
Father,
Thank You for Your work in Salvation where truth and Mercy have truly
kissed (Psalm 58:10). We need Your help, Your wisdom and Your grace
Lord, to be like You in our dealings with the World.
Your Word tells me that in many things we all fail (James 3:2), and
I hear You saying to me this morning, that there are yet many things
that You have yet to say to me, but I am still not ready. Show us
Lord where there is even a trace in our lives of the things of which
we are so often accused, and lead us into repentance, and to change
us into those who are pleasing to You in these things. And show us when to speak and when to be silent, in Jesus Name
Amen
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