PRaP 7-23-2005

"Caring"

I love the labels (NOT!) I receive when I show compassion and caring for my
brother or sister in Christ. You carry the weight of the world. You think
you can fix everything. You can't heal everyone. You can't fix
everything. All you are doing is depressing yourself. All of your caring
and compassion will one day come back to slap you in the face. Don't give
suggestions it will only come back to hurt you. Don't tell this person or
that person how to do anything it will end up being your responsibility. I
sit here and I wonder what life would be like if Jesus stopped? I wonder
what it would be like if God just stopped mercy and grace? What if the
Holy Spirit just stopped being there for you when you need comfort or
guidance? OK, here is a scenario for you. Your an alcoholic and you know
you need help and you know that you have messed up over and over again say
for 10 years. You finally reach out to God and ask for help and He comes
back and tells you well you took too long so I am not going to help you.
Nope I am not going to send anyone in to lift you. Is that the God of
heaven that you know? I don't think so. If we are to be true followers of
Jesus Christ if we believe what we read in scripture, if we truly love,
then these labels wouldn't be put on me. God doesn't stop trying to help
someone because they keep messing up. God doesn't stop the trial because
you cry about it. God doesn't ask you to pay Him back for what His Son
paid out for your sin. Why is it when someone cares deeply about a brother
or sister in Christ that needs help, they are labeled? Why is it that when
a child lashes out and abuses a parent over and over again and maybe even
put the shoe on the other foot a parent that lashes out on a child and you
step in to be the hands and feet of Christ you are labeled a fool? Well my
beloved people I tell you now that I am blessed, because it says in
scripture that I should rejoice. Matthew 5:10-12 "Blessed are those who
are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely
say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad,
because great is your reward in heaven for in the same way they persecuted
the prophets who were before you." Today I rejoice, today I am glad
because I have been insulted and false things are said about me because of
Christ who lives in me. For those who have done these things I ask God to
forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. If they only knew
You as I do they would join me and not hammer me with their words. For
Christ even loves them.


PRaP Matthew 5:1-12