1. Freedom to be yourself -- without criticism
|
CONTROL:
THE NAME OF THE GAME -- PEOPLE WILL ATTEMPT TO CONTROL YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS!
|
"The Lord told me to tell you . . . "
"I'm not trying to be critical, but . . ."
"I wouldn't want to judge, but . . ."
THE WORST: "Brother, I tell you this in love . . ."
(Whenever anyone says this to you, you had better get ready to duck.)
LET ME REMIND YOU OF WHAT THE SCRIPTURE SAYS ABOUT JUDGING ANOTHER , , ,
"Let no man judge you in meat or drink, or in respect of a holy day or a new moon or a sabbath day . . ." (Ga;atoams 2:16)
"Who are you to judge another man's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Yes, and he shall be made to stand, for the Lord has the power to make him stand." (Romans 14:4)
"Therefore, you are without excuse whoever you are that judges, for as you judge another, you condemn yourself, because you are guilty of the same things." (Romans 2:1-2)
WOMAN TAKEN IN ADULTERY: The only One who had the credentials to condemn this woman in accord with biblical law, DIDN'T!
THE 'MITE' IN ANOTHER'S EYE COMPARED WITH THE RAILROAD TIE IN YOUR OWN.
Some may argue, 'Yes, but what about Matthew 7:15-20 where it says "by their fruits you shall know them."
I suggest you read that passage agein.
Context folks. Context.
JESUS IS TALKING ABOUT FALSE PROPHETS!
The problem with throwing rocks at one another . . .
Water must ripple
When stones are cast
Into the depths
Calm comes at last
When the last
circumference
Of dismay
Is spent
Calm comes;
But the stone stays.
More emotional injury has been inflicted in the name of Christ Jesus, and in the name of love, than can possibly be imagined.
But do you have to agree with everything in order to walk together with a friend?
OF COURSE NOT! Relationships 101: You can agree to disagree and contine to be friends.
What is the PRINCIPLE being taught here?
Human beings and fellow Christians simply are not competent nor do they have the credentials to form evaluations and criticisms about other Christians regarding their fairh.
UNLESS: They are specifically invited to do so. In this case, the issue of competence and credentials have then been neutralized. And when this happens, remember that when Jesus had the opportunity to condemn, the invitation, reason and the justification for doing so, and the credentials to carry it out -- DIDN'T!
A good 'rule of thumb' is to never accept advice or criticism from anyone that you would not seek it from in the first place.
THEREFORE, INGORE ALL UNINVITED OPINIOINS WHICH YOU FEEL ARE CRITICAL, JUDGMENTAL, DISMISSIVE,OR DEMEANING TO YOU.
2. Freedom to be Vulnerable
What about the'WEAKER' brother?
First, this does not refer to Agatha Anguish from the Women's Missionary Circle.
Second, it does refer to those Christians who, if they did what you did, would be sinful for them. Just because someone considers eating meat, going to a movie, dancing, or partaking of an alcholic beverage a sin, does not mean that it is necessarily a sin for you.
How far should we carry this?
As far as possible, BUT . . .
God does not expect us to allow our lives to be controlled and governed by the spiritual hang-ups of other believers.
It is primarily a matter of consideration.
Do not KNOWINGLY lead a weaker believer into what for him wold be a sin.
STOP MAKING DEMANDS ON OTHERS, AND LIVE LIKE OTHERS FELT THE SAME TOWARD YOU WHETHER THEY DO OR NOT. BE READY WITH YOUR OWN ACTS OF LOVE AND SENSITIVITY TO ANOTHER'S NEEDS AND HURTS.
You can easily know the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.
Cultivate OPENESS AND HONESTY
Allow yourself to LOVE openly.
There can be some difficulty with this
3. Freedom to release others to God.
Apart from raising childreen, we must remember that we are not qualified or responsible to keep hisband/wife/brother or sister, or any other adult straight.
What about the pasage in Matthew 18:15 where it tells us that if our brother trespass against us, we should go to him and confront him?
Two responses:
(1) Jesus' point was to avoid civil/legal courts. Far better to settle an issue out of court that to go through an unconcerned thrid party.
(2) The whole focus of this 'confrontation' is reconciliation and healing, not exacting demands or attampting to control.
Let God have the responsibility. He will do a better job with it anyway.
TRUST THE LORD for the safety and well-being of those you love.
4. Freedom to be Involved
Actively engaged in the lives of those outside yourself.
TALK TO PEOPLE. LISTEN TO PEOPLE.
Tell them how you feel.
Tell them what you think
DO THINGS FOR PEOPLE with no expectation that you will get something in return, thus placing them in debt to you.
TOUCH PEOPLE. Learn how to express love without words..
THE HALLMARK -- indeed the telltale sign of how Christians should relate to one another is this:
"By this shall all men know that you are my disciples -- if you have . . .
The man who demonstrates his love is more to be believed concerning his relationship with God than the most intense, dedicated, committed 'believer' who does not.
