2 Words in 1

The Meekness and Gentleness of Christ
Justifiable Condemnation

 

The Meekness and Gentleness of Christ

Our message is going to be lost, if we go about it in the wrong manner. There are several reasons for that. One is that we have an entire generation today, that was raised on what was once called the hell, fire and brimstone kind of preaching. It was alright for a good while, but we often sought to control people by fear. This in no way means to imply, that there is not a hell and that we will not all be judged on that Day. It just means, some people, ended up very bruised.

It can be a long journey, to learn the true value of living for God, because you actually love Him; not because of fear of what He might do to you. We threw aside the teachings of some denominations, because they did not seem to agree with what our own churches taught. But it’s clear today, that one thing we should have also endorsed, was that each person, should have their very own, personal relationship, with Jesus Christ. You hear reference made to that, often times in these days; that we all need to know Him, not just know about Him. We must realize, there truly is a difference.

The Apostle Paul, spoke of the meekness and gentleness of Christ. There were times, just as we have them, that he said he could have spoken out in a much harsher and stronger manner. But the Spirit, through him, sought to teach the true believers, that manifesting the fruit of the Spirit, was not only the proper and necessary way to do things, but it worked. He also told of how they entreated people as they went about their evangelizing; they did it, in the same meekness and gentleness that Jesus did. We know that they also taught, we should speak the truth, but we must speak it, in love.

As far as those younger than many of us, we need to also understand, that they have likely seen every kind of violent movie or video and just about every kind of language and high action there is to see. We are not likely to scare many of these with threatening them with hell fire and any brimstone. Again, it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t preach about hell, we should. But I can pretty much assure folk, that trying to put people in hell, before they ever get there, will only turn them off. I think Paul reached the point, that even he realized, that if you cannot first preach Christ and Him crucified, the rest of what you have to say isn’t going to matter to people; they won’t hear it.

Some will likely accuse me of saying we should water things down; I am well aware that many are doing that. But I believe the Spirit would have me say, that if we do not use the fruit of the Spirit to say what we want to say, most people, will consider it, of the flesh. What might need watering down, is a superior and condescending spirit, that we likely learned somewhere, from someone else.

When flesh is doing the talking; it doesn’t sound the same, at all. The message we are declaring in this hour, is far too vital, to be lost. We are called to tell it; but, only as the Spirit, gives the utterance.

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Justifiable Condemnation

I heard some people earlier as they were really ripping up, this minister who had failed. I mean, they cut it up this way, and diced it up the other way, and then patted one another on the back for speaking the truth. First of all, some may have noticed, that I do not call people’s names on here; I don’t spell out the name of the group they belong to. For one thing, I don’t have their permission. Secondly, I do not think it helps in the message I pray the Spirit has given to me. Thirdly, it does not solve anything; people get it, without us just lambasting others.

Fourthly, I think it is out of order. In recovery circles, we are taught that it is incorrect and off-handed, to discuss another person outright, and they are not there to defend themselves. I didn’t intend to, but I suppose, to be real, I think all of this calling out people’s names and participating in trashing other denominations, is not only poor taste, it’s a symptom, of growing the wrong fruit. We can address issues and speak what we believe, without being offensive to people and harming their spirits. If someone thinks that calling a spade, a spade, is the only kind of approach, go for it. But we need not get offended or riled up, if someone is too happy to dish it back.

When I first came to this social media networking, I visited certain sites that I thought might be conducive to growth and genuine sharing. What I found, was some people who claimed the Holy Ghost, who were some of the most critical, mean-hearted, tongue wagging gossipers, I had ever heard. It was like trying to drink, pure acid. That’s why I don’t visit their sites now; I haven’t been back; and I don’t allow such remarks to be made on my page. If that’s what someone is about, do it on your own turf. I heard that kind of mess, since I was a child coming up in the church; preachers and laity included, telling every lowdown item they could re-tell on another brother.

At first, I felt anger; just to know that after all of these years, church people are still doing the same old thing, and justifying themselves. One lady told me a while back, not to let it make me angry and cause me to lose my soul. Don’t worry so much; I already did that. I recall two responses proper to make here. Don’t let it make you sin, and remember how Jesus truly felt about it.

After the anger simmered down, what I felt next, was pure pity for these people. Obviously, they have no idea what it is like to reap the last part of, “lest ye also be tempted…” Galatians 6;1. Well, I do! And I don’t want to pay like that anymore. Can anybody hear? Some of us, did not survive our reaping of it!

And now, I have to pray for these people and what they are doing. I don’t think the way I once did. I would cry to these folk today; I would beg them to reconsider how they’re hurting people. Oh God, how I could weep and tell them, you can’t do this. You don’t know, what you are going to bring upon yourself.

If there is a proclamation that some need to get a hold of, if they don’t know or quote any other single scripture, it’s this very one. “Be not deceived, God is not mocked” Galatians 6:7. What we have done, is going to come back on us. Our condemnation of others, is never justified; and more the same, if it is one of our brothers or sisters. God, will turn it around; on us.

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Robert Blackburn