The Point

The biblical perspective, where false teachers and and false teachings are concerned, is that we are to have compassion and love for those who are enmeshed in the teachings of the false prophets, but we are to vigorously oppose the teachings, with our primary objective the winning of the soul and not so much the argument.  It must never be forgotten that cultists are souls for whom Jesus Christ died...(pg. 23)

The Kingdom of the Cults: The Definitive Work on the Subject 

by Walter Martin, Ravi Zacharias, general editor. 

God has an interesting way of presenting currently relevant information to you.  I had a conversation about debating the morality of something with a non-Christian.  Then this popped up later in my reading.  It didn't apply to the situation exactly, but it said what I was trying to convey.  Coming up with the perfect argument (a "zinger") shouldn't be our goal, but pushing people to evaluate their position and hopefully seek a right relationship with Christ is what is important.  Debates can be fun and beneficial, but getting an agnostic to accept something like "abortion is wrong" won't matter much on Judgement Day.

Forgiveness (revised)

Note: I originally posted a version of this late last Sunday (a few minutes before my previous post). But I awoke with blogger's remorse and pulled it down because I felt it was too personal.  I think it is important I repost the ideas contained in it, though, because they are something that has been pressing on me again.  I've edited this somewhat to move it from "It's a couple hours past my bedtime, I've had a rough several days, I haven't slept well in days, and now I am inventing my own phrases," to more of a composed, thoughtful piece that I actually want people to read.  The same thoughts, Bible verses, and feelings are there.  They are just hopefully more readable.  Also, these feelings also aren't as raw at the moment, so I'm a bit more comfortable sharing them.

I've been having a rough time with oppression and loneliness lately.  I've also had trouble sleeping.  During my prayers [specifically last Sunday night], I began to think about a negative thought cycle in which I’ve engaged.  It was intensified after a dream I had a little over a week ago in which all of the people I have ever been close to appeared and (re)did something hurtful.  The emotional pain was quite intense.

I woke up in tears with this rolling through my head:

"How did these people hurt me so much?  Why did it hurt so badly?"

"Because you got close to them and let them get close to you."

"So every person I get close to will hurt me?"

"Yes.  So why bother with people? They will only hurt you.”

And it continued, but the path is relatively obvious.  I've had problems with this before, people do something hurtful, and immediately I think it is either an intentionally hurtful act or their plan all along was to hurt me (don’t you dare call me irrational! Just because I think people have nothing better to do than plot elaborate plans for hurting my feelings doesn't make me irrational!).  This works in almost a "he said, she heard" sort of way.  Bottom line: People will hurt me (I better not get to know them).  Friends move away (well, actually, they leave me.).  They have some inconsistency in their character (they were intentionally lying so when I got close, they could betray me.).  They say something hurtful (after all, I don't know why I convinced myself they actually cared).  They do something shouldn’t.  They don't do something they should (I obviously am not worth the effort to them).   If I hadn't gotten to know them, this wouldn't hurt.  I better not invest myself again.

Everyone has flaws.  Everyone is sinful.  People hurt each other because of this.  The Enemy wants to take advantage of this and leave people in despair.  However, we cannot simply give up on ever having a meaningful relationship with another person.  If we did that, we wouldn't have joy, either.  Our mantra would turn from “they mustn’t like me” to “why am I all alone?” We wouldn't have anyone to talk to when we are down and in need of encouragement.  We wouldn't have anyone to support and help.  God made us for companionship--we need a relationship with Him and with our fellow humans.  Relationships require forgiveness.

Letting go of the pain.  Stopping the constant replay of the painful event or action.  Forgiveness.  Yes, these are important things.  So many times have I resignedly said, "I'm done," in regards to friendships with people after a series of small offenses.  Thankfully, God is there to help me work through the pain and move from a begrudging "I forgave them because I have to, and that doesn't mean I have to have anything to do with them or work to restore our relationship to what it was before the offence occurred," to a healing "I forgive them because I want to, and now all is forgotten."  (That first stage of “forgiveness” sounds like a paraphrased Mrs. Bennet, “I’ll be civil to him/her on account of him/her being loved by God.  But no more than civil!”)

Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:22)

I actually do not find that verse convicting, but actually helpful especially in light of Matthew 6:14-15.  Christ doesn't ask us to do something if He is not going to be there with us every step of the way.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil 4:8) 

Late Night Contemplations on Confidence

One of my favorite verses is found in the center of the Bible.  Psalm 118:8.  I do not have a favorite translation of it (which is strange), so I would recommend looking at this link to see several translations of it.

When I recall upon it, this is how I remember it:

"It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in men."
(At one point, I thought for sure I had read "men" as "princes," which was something I really liked, but I have yet to find a translation that says that.)

This passage often applies to times when I'm feeling hurt by people, but especially when I feel lonely. 

When I am hurting, feeling alone, or wishing for a hug, this verse reminds me I have Christ.  He will never let me down and is always there to wrap me up in a comforting embrace.  He never lets go.

Afternote added February 12, 2011:  Last night I had a revelation! Two of my favorite verses are found in the center of the Bible.  Psalm 118:8 and Psalm 118:9.  Psalm 118:9 is "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in princes."  Hey, not all of us are perfect! :)  Especially at 12:30am. 

Proper Motives

This week was the start up of Focus on the Family's Truth Project at my church.  When I went through this program at another local church, I was very impressed by how God-inspired this program was and how much God worked in both my life and in the lives of my family while we worked through this program.  So, when the opportunity came for me to become a leader for the program, procure my own copy of The Truth Project, and start a small group of my own, I was very excited.  Unfortunately, I think I lost sight of the goal.  I went around telling people how wonderful this program was, how well it was done, and how much I liked it.  I was promoting it because it was a "good" thing.  I realized this, and promptly changed my approach.  "God will move you and challenge you through this program in a very real way."

A few weeks ago, I went shopping for books of a theological nature.  I looked for authors I had heard of from The Truth Project and also from friends.  I happily purchased some and also borrowed some from the library.  I eagerly dove into them once they arrived.  My intent, however, was not to grow/challenge my faith.  No, I wanted to acquire knowledge and that was it. I realized this, and have now refocused myself.  Growing my faith, not my knowledge base, is important.  Hopefully these book will challenge me, and through them, the authors will be able to convey something about God's nature I had not previously known.

So, I am working on this.  Not being good for the sake of goodness. Not learning so I can be "smart."  Not being part of something because it is "relevant."  But being focused on God, growing in Him, equipping myself to be used by Him, and learning to listen to His voice.