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It is one thing for the whole world to be deceived into thinking the devil does not exist and that God is at fault for everything bad that occurs. Many believe God "turns a blind eye" and does not care about all the pain and suffering going on in this world. Some know this to be completely erroneous and fraught with full-on deception, therefore no matter how hard people try to see through this thick veil of deception, it remains completely impossible unless God is involved to help turn us away from our wickedly sinful ways. I know this for certain after living the majority of my life as a pagan. Then, one night after blurting out and declaring that the world was full of wickedness and too evil for me, God began working with me by changing my mind and heart through the miraculous event of my calling on the afternoon of 14 November 2006. Incredible and unbelievable as this sounds, it is still nonetheless true and I profoundly stand by this declaration for the rest of my life. Reflecting on the miracle of my calling as the anniversary will be upon me in less than one month, it is even more spectacular now with hindsight how God can work with any one of us to achieve His purpose. Christians never grow tired of hearing about one another's experiences as we each have different circumstances and accounts to share about our calling.
People in the world like I once was have no idea about what is going on even though they may think they do. They are missing the spiritual component of having God's Holy Spirit dwelling in them, leading them to follow righteousness by emulating our Creator and Saviour, Jesus Christ. For how can they when they are incomplete, missing a vital part which will make them whole. This piece of the puzzle is an essence, a power, an unseen part from our Creator -- His Holy Spirit known as The Helper. We are given this upon baptism when we are mature enough as adults to choose for ourselves before going under the water in full immersion and then having hands laid upon us by God's minister/shepherd. After more than a decade following Christ, it would be realistically plausible to say that I have had my share of trials and tests to resist and overcome sin while developing righteous character. Along the way on this journey of ours there have been many highs and lows likened to peaks and troughs, hills and valleys, for which many lessons have been needed and learned. Yet there is one such experience that has confused and confounded me when faced with somebody who repeatedly causes me pain and anguish. Perhaps you know of this sort of experience too? It is something that is hard to make sense of especially when we know right from wrong. We know God's way and the other way that we once followed out in the world. Yet God informs us that there are tares among the wheat and there is purpose to all of it (Matthew 13:24-30). King David experienced this sadness that I have come to know and want to escape from.
For quite some time now I have felt the sting of pain and meditated upon David's words from Psalm 55:12-14 which says "For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; then I could hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in the throng". David is lamenting the fact that his good friend betrayed him, which he never saw coming nor expected. They attended Feast days and festivals together worshipping God. They had a loving Agape bond. While reading this from the Psalms each month over the last couple of years it always caught my attention as particularly hard, sad, difficult and a terrible thing to happen. Talking to God about it as one does, He knew that I couldn't relate to the situation and never wanted to. However, the time eventually came as a recent pre-Feast trial, that I now know what this feels like and it is tragic. Joy stealing. Many hours of anguish and wrestling with torturous thoughts. Going to sleep with a wet face, waking up with intact memories instantly reminding me of a situation that should never have occurred. How can a converted person speak in such a sinful way and think nothing wrong of their words and actions? It is too upsetting for me to deal with so it goes where it belongs -- to God to sort out. He knows everything and will fight our battles for us.
The importance God places on unity of the brethren is vital and so important for every single one of us to take careful heed doing all we can to promote peace with all (Romans 12:18). The hymn we sing "How good and how pleasant for brethren to dwell" is a beautiful way to share in song to God of our willingness to be as one with others of the same faith. In Philippians 2:1-4 "Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others". So what happened in my case? My choice was to not get jabbed and the other person has already been doubled jabbed months ago. That was their choice. This difference seemed to open a floodgate of division on many matters and the person did not hesitate to express their disgust and outrage on this and other matters. I was so tempted to react but instead took it to God in prayer for help via strengthening in self-control of the fruit that is greatly needed (Galatians 5:22-23).
This is what I would humbly like to say to the person involved when the time is right and their brick wall of separation is removed...Ephesians 5:1-2 "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma". Following along in Ephesians 5:8-11 "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them". Then continuing on again in Ephesians 5:15-21 "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God".
Despite the continuing verbal attacks it is important, even imperative that when we experience these things that we maintain a Godly example despite how we may feel. The devil maliciously enjoys pressing our buttons to provoke us to sinful behaviour. Don't fall for this as the one initiating the drama may not even realise they are being used by the enemy. However it does seem that they are somewhat aware as these occurrences are always done privately.
My conscience is awakened by Proverbs 17:9 "Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends". Writing is incredibly therapeutic in addition to prayer and the confidence is there that God will make it right as long a we look to Him with a humble attitude knowing we are doing everything possible to emulate Jesus Christ. It is not easy but it is always the right way to proceed. Recently, in a sermon one pastor referred to people that we will come across in our lives from time to time as "Sandpaper People" -- they certainly rub us up the wrong way, they are abrasive and lack tact and diplomacy. No matter how hard they may try to be rude, inconsiderate, deliberately exclude us, cause arguments, tell us that we must do things their way, or criticise us, even accuse us wrongly in front of others, we will choose the better way and apologise to show love to them. Our example speaks volumes. For me, it is monumentally hard to be wrongfully and publicly accused -- isn't that exactly what happened to Christ? Shouldn’t we then handle it in the same manner as He did? We are told we should be shrewd as serpents, yet harmless as doves. Let’s follow His example in all things.