"This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus." - 2 Timothy 1:15-18
I deo not think that I would be understating it to say that I have met more resistance from other professing to be Christians than from those declaring that they were not. Apparently Paul experienced something similar from Christians in Asia. Not a lot of details, but it is a reminder of the realities of ministry.
Christian leaders have a responsibility to "protect the flock" from outside threats. But there are times when the threats are from within. Why is that? Because Christians carry their new life around in jars of clay. What can start as a genuine call of God can turn into an expression of the old nature. How do you know? The Word gives us a reference to use.
"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like" - Galatians 5:19-21
I could share a number of examples from my own experiences, but I will limit it to one. We were serving in a disaster area. It is very stressful in those places - not just on the locals affected by the disaster, but for the people who have come alongside to help them. You have to work at keeping your focus on your mission and your strength from God. Martie and I had left everything behind, believing that God had called us to service. It was not long that I was being accused of a number of things that were contrary to representing Jesus by a particular person in the group. The volunteers were dumfounded as they knew that the accusations were blatantly untrue as they were witnesses. I was beside myself. My reputation and character were being impugned. So, I talked to some mature, impartial Christians about the problem seeking their advice. They first discounted what was being said as false, and then told me to do and say nothing. To let God vindicate me.
I must say, that is not what I was thinking about doing. The temptation was to stand up for myself. Confront the person - mano y mano. The "old man" wanted to rise up and settle things. But my spirit was affirmed that the spiritual counsel was the right course of action. I was reminded that Jesus had been silent before his accusers. And I was vindicated although my accuser continued to resent me from that day. That experience became a spiritual marker for us. It was a pivot point. God had already shown us that we were to start a ministry which is now Pathfinder Mission. It was that provocation that resulted in our yielding to God stepping into His call.
We learned that love is the motivation for praying for those who despitefully use you. That you must choose love and trust in God when you are in the midst of a trial and not trust in yourself.
"But I [Jesus] say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" - Matthew 5:44
That is an act of faith and not of will. You don't do it because you "have to" you do it because you "want to". That happened about 17 years ago - but I still remember the spiritual lessons learned. I had forgiven the person back then. I still remember the incident, obviously. I tell people that you forgive but not forget. The way that you know you have forgiven is that no emotion rises up in your heart when you do remember - only love - grace and mercy.
Had I not experienced the hardship, I would not have learned a great spiritual truth. I better understand why James wrote what he did.
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." - James 1:2-5
Godly wisdom is knowledge plus experience wrapped in obedience and tied with a faith bow.
Not everyone you meet or even serve with will be cheering for you, but God has your back.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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