Three questions for the Tired Saints of God

I could have also titled this, how to totally take the “Word of God out of Context.”  But stick with me, I’ll bring it around to context at the end. 

It’s not a secret to anyone that knows me well that my mind doesn’t work like most others. I was listening to a woman teach at a ladies conference online this week and while her thoughts were ever so holy, mine were not. For days, weeks and months I’ve been frustrated with life for a number of reasons, not the least of which has been the behavior of the saints of God. Now I know that some of you are already on your high horse about me judging people. I don’t judge, that’s God’s job. But I will write about’em. Because they bother me. And although I have a plethora of my own sin and issues, I do my best to deal with my own and I like to ponder other peoples issues so I don’t add those to my own list. I got enough to answer for. 

So this godly lady, (for which I may have even called her out for being more than a tad self righteous) was teaching from the book of 2nd Timothy. She did not ask nor even insinuate the next three questions I’m going to ask you. 

Have you ever Grown Weary of Crap Stirrers?

2 Timothy 1:5-6 – When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

That was certainly not what Timothy was talking about, but it’s what I heard in my soul as she read the text. I thought to myself “I am so tired of people stirring crap.” Not so much with the unsaved, they do not have the Spirit of God in them, but the children of God are just as bad. As I cover the news each week, I have been accused of this being the reason behind some of my articles. I promise you, this is not the case. I hate reporting on stupid people. But somebody’s got to warn the community that they’re out there. You see it don’t you? The flesh coming out in me and I am borderline judging. I say borderline because 1 Thessalonians 5:14 says, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”  I consider it warning the unruly. God tells us that we’re to do that. We’re to do it in grace, that’s where the patience comes in. 

But when I see people of the community (saved and unsaved individuals) being cruel, calling people names and often doing it in the Name of Jesus, oh, that’s when I’m weary. Show me in the scripture where God ever told you that it was your job to call someone an ugly name. Tell me where God said it was okay to make fun and laugh at someone who is suffering?” Now I’ve gone to preaching, my Baptist friends will surely call me out.   

If someone is deceitful, and doing damage to the name of Christ, in grace and mercy you have every right to call them out. But not with joy. Tell them privately first,  “Hey, it hurts my heart when I hear you tearing people down.” If it continues, warn the brothers. and sisters of the deceit and have the facts to back yourself up. 

Paul told Timothy that he wanted him to remember the faith of his grandmother and mother. Family is important! If you’ve been raised by godly people, thank the Lord today! Because not everyone has. And even some who have been, have gone astray. But I don’t want to stand before the Lord and answer for causing someone to be unsaved because my behavior didn’t back up the Word of God or I used my gift as an orator to tear someone down. My gift of speech is to encourage and there is no enemy in my life that I want to go to Hell. What is your gift? How are you using it for God’s glory?

Question #2

Have you Ever Wanted to Lay Hands on Someone?

I know that is way, way out of context for what Paul was talking about in verse 6. I have been in Church services where they laid hands on a preacher, deacon, or the sick in prayer and when God’s in it, it is the most amazing feeling to be in the presence of the Spirit’s work. 

But I have gotten so angry lately, that I literally wanted to lay hands on a person and not in a good way. I have never acted in violence. But in my head I’ve considered it. There’s just a few things that will bring me to that boiling point. Dead religion, false religion, self righteousness, and attacks on the innocent (such as children). 

As this lady speaker talked about how she and another lady called out a sinner in a restaurant, I had to turn her video off.  God is not in the way she did it. A waitress at her table had her pronouns on her name tag. My first thought when meeting a person who believes they are something other than what God created is, I feel sorry that they’ve believed the liberal lies. I am not angry with that person, I am angry with this bunch who have an agenda to send people to hell or destroy their lives. But in calling out this young lady, they didn’t glorify Christ. When Christ stepped up to the woman who was ready to be stoned, he didn’t call out her sin and condemn her, He said “Go and sin no more.” And whatever He wrote in the sand, guilted that tribe that was going to stone her to the point they dropped their rocks and walked away. 

When the Democrats pulled an abortion van up in front of their conference last year and mocked  killing an innocent child, I could have walked to Chicago and laid hands on people. When I seen religious leaders get behind that act and the rest of the liberal agenda, or leaders of my own community, I was very angry. I called it holy hostility and righteous rage. But in truth, it was just me being way too human. God tell us that vengeance is His. And I’m pretty sure if one of His angels can kill 175,000 people, God’s actions will be way worse than any thing I could do. 

My 3rd and final question is this:

Have you Ever felt Afraid?

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

I have felt fear. It’s one of the worst feelings in the world. There are people who thrive on creating a fearful environment so they can control what’s happening. Our community for more than a century has been controlled by one political party. Until this year. I’m not supporting any political party as a child of God, they’re all crooked. But the apostle Paul talked about politics. 

Paul told Timothy in  1 Timothy 2:1-5

[1] I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; [2] For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

So what if they’re not godly and honest? Should we leave them there to deceive others? I don’t thinks o. 

Proverbs 29:25 KJV

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

So those are my three, out of context/in context questions. It felt good to read the Word and see that my job is not to lay hands on people, be among the crap stirrers or sit silent when someone is inciting fear. 

My job is to pray for all of them, speak God’s word and make sure my own words and actions are biblically sound and defend the weak. Glory! That’s a good word.