I Know I'm Not the Only One...

To see the hatred, the pain, the betrayal, the violence, the delusion, yes, even within the so-called church, among those claiming the name of Christ… 

It’s heartbreaking and also revealing.

It is becoming clear that some people are not ready for peace, nor do they truly desire it. They are committed to chaos.  

In the Bible, Romans 12:18 tells us, “If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  That phrase, “as much as it depends on you”, is the key.  Every situation does not require a back-and-forth. And while this is not a time to be silent, it is a time to be led.  Knowing when to speak and when not to comes from allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you, not your emotions.

There is so much happening in the world right now. So much to respond to. So much to speak on, but if you are speaking and no one is listening… what is the point?

When emotions are high, when people are cursing, yelling, defensive, there is no room for truth to land.  Anger, hostility, manipulation, and insults take the lead, and nothing gets resolved.

We cannot allow that spirit to get into us. We are called to guard our hearts. Gospel of Luke 6:45 says, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”  If the heart is not right, the words won’t be right, and if the words are not right, the behavior will not be right.

Our identity should anchor us, but that’s where many are struggling.

There is an identity crisis, and when you don’t know who you are, you will default to what’s familiar to you or conform to the culture.  This is why so many are operating in fear, anger, anxiety, and confusion.

Reacting instead of responding has become the norm.

But look at Jesus, in 1Peter 2:23, we are reminded that when He was insulted, He did not retaliate, and as His disciples, we are called to reflect that same posture.  So, when and not if someone disrespects you, insults you, or tries to dictate how you should live, yet they are not walking with the Lord and have no desire for truth, why keep arguing?

Yes, we are to respond with truth, the Word of God, but with control, with wisdom, and with discernment.  Because if our speech and behavior mirror theirs, what makes us different?  When you can clearly see they are not seeking truth, you must know when to walk away, and sometimes, “walking away” looks like setting boundaries, unfollowing, blocking, or simply disengaging, and other times, it means physically removing yourself.  Either way, we must remember who we are and whose we are, and we all will stand before the Lord and give an account for our words, our actions, and our responses. This is serious…

Whether you believe in God or not, that does not change the reality that He is.

Men and women of God, time is short, and we have been commissioned/commanded to share Jesus.  And not just share Him but to share Him in love.

For those of you who are not claiming Christ, yet are seeing hate, division, lying, condemning, and demeaning behavior, things that may feel familiar or normal to you, I challenge you: read the Word for yourself. Discover who Jesus truly is.  Because many who claim His name will hear the words in the Gospel of Matthew 7:23: “Depart from Me, I never knew you.” Let that settle.

I’ll leave you with this:

If some of the Word of God has proven true, through history, through science, through life itself, then all of it is true.

So get your heart right with Jesus… for real.

It’s late.  Midnight is here, and daylight is closer than we think.