God did you say last night that if I tackle him consciously then I’ll fare much better in the battle?
Have you ever been tempted to write a scathing letter to someone who hurt you? Have you done it? After the passage of time did you think it was better to send it or not? My word teaches you to resist not evil, but if someone strikes you to turn the other cheek, or steals from you to give him more. This is a radical teaching. Do you feel you have no opportunities to apply it directly? Yet you can apply it in a general sense. Life will give you many chances to be involved in the cycle of evil even if it only involves words – attack, counterattack, escalation. You can break the cycle of evil and defeat it by not resisting it.
Are you aware that you live in a supernatural world? Your culture has a strong bias to deny anything that is not material and physical, but the Bible is full of references to supernatural beings, events, and interventions. You don’t have to believe this for it to be true. You are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, and when the eyes of the prophet’s servant were opened he was able to see that there were more for us than against us. This same reality exists around you today. If you open the door to acknowledge this possibility you will begin to see it more and more.
Were you taught to put your best foot forward? Even without formal instruction most people naturally present themselves in the most favorable light, to keep their flaws hidden and make a favorable impression. Is this ever a bad idea? I told a story of two men who went to the temple. One prayed with himself rather than me and listed all of his religious achievements. He was glad he was not like the other man who acknowledged he was a sinner and cried out for mercy. He would not dare to raise his face toward me, but l looked down and accepted him. You don’t need to make an impression with me. Come and put your worst foot forward and you will be justified too.
God this is getting crazy. Now I’m seeing angels. At least I think I am.
You are.
COME ON GOD – CUT IT OUT!! This is getting too weird now. Until now a lot of our conversations have been arguably rational. Well at least at a Christian level.
How do you mean?
Well the stuff you say, even though at the time I’m still incredulous that we’re actually talking…
Why are you always incredulous??
My word promises you victory. What do you think this looks like? The stories of great struggles you are familiar with from your culture involve an escalating conflict that moves inevitably to a final dramatic showdown in which the victor clearly triumphs and the foe is completely defeated. Is this what you expect? For my word also teaches you to be patient and endure, even as a soldier or competitor. This is not as dramatic, and implies that all you have to do is stay in the game. All I ask of you is to run to the finish. Blessed is he who endures to the end and if you understand this you know that enduring is prevailing. Run to the finish and you will win.
My word teaches you to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Do you find this to be difficult? Yet you can continue to advance. How can you make progress? If you can’t stop making mistakes, at least you can improve the quality of your mistakes. Are you prone to making mistakes of being judgmental, self-righteous, narrow, exclusive, and rejecting? You will make better quality mistakes if you become less judgmental and more accepting and inclusive. Is it even possible to err in this direction? Even if it is, mistakes of this type would be an improvement over the former.
How do you treat people of other faiths? Your basic beliefs are in conflict with theirs. Do you view them as enemies? You have a real adversary, but it would be more accurate to view those of other faiths as captives rather than actual enemies, and it isn’t necessary to attack them. You can approach them and inquire of their beliefs out of genuine curiosity. It is OK to engage in a dialogue, and to acknowledge that you are on a spiritual journey yourself. You are called to have an answer for the hope that lies in you, but you don’t have to have an answer for everything. In order to let you light shine and preach the good news of the Kingdom you first have to engage.
Ouch! I didn’t like getting this and you may not like reading it. Sorry.
My word teaches you that your righteousness is as filthy rags. Do you think that this is stated incorrectly? Wouldn’t you expect it to say that your sin is as filthy rags? Yet it is stated correctly, and consider how much stronger and more powerful a statement this is. Do you tend to judge people by the worst thing they have done? This verse suggests that is the wrong criteria, and that the things you consider your best and most noble may in fact be your biggest flaws and failings. Consider what strong rebukes I gave to the religious leaders of my day. Examine yourself that you don’t fall in the same trap.
Do you say, ‘I’m sorry’ when you need to seek forgiveness from someone else? You can use the same words to express a general feeling of sympathy for events over which you had no control over, such as ‘I’m sorry you wrecked your car’. My teachings about giving and receiving forgiveness are clear. They imply that you also need to seek forgiveness by way of apology for offenses you commit. In doing this you can graciously apply a higher standard of conduct to yourself than you expect of others. When others tell you they are sorry you can accept it as an apology, but make your own unambiguous and unmistakable.
