TGIF
“a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory;”
(Matthew 12:20 ESV)
Over the last few weeks I’ve gotten a lot of emails with basically the same subject.
‘What are you going to do about (fill in the name)?”
You see, I’ve been online a long time and over that time people have come to associate other people with me as friends.
Some of those people have appeared to leave the faith and they speak ill of the church.
Some of them are going through divorces or recovering from one.
Some of them have been hurt so badly by the church that they have adopted strange new beliefs because at the end of the day they must believe in something.
Some of them just seem to be lost, yet still broadcast their location on social media.
“So…”pastor”… “what are you going to do about (fill in the name)?”
My answer usually is found to be inadequate.
The expectation is that I will rebuke, chastise, correct, threaten, or damn the straying one… and do it on social media so all can see that it’s been done.
None of the above is the answer I give.
The answer I give is that I will love them.
The bruised and bent reed once stood straight before it was struck and wounded.
Another strike will not straighten it and may break it.
The smoldering wick was once on fire burning brightly until someone or someones snuffed it.
It could go out entirely unless gently coaxed back to a flame.
We have no shortage of folks in the church today who specialize in striking and snuffing…especially on social media where you can’t see someone break or a ember die.
What would Jesus do?
We know what He won’t do.
Break or snuff.
I’m with Him.
I have to be…I’m a bit bent and flickering myself.
Make your own application…
A-MEN!!
often someone will post something here to the effect “I’ll take the company of a compassionate non Christian of any stripe over you condemning legalists…”
a glittering generality, they have a point… i think my two best reference points for Christian conduct have come from my grandfather who was an old member of the Holiness Movement and some older priests out of the Roman Catholic Church – they understood the holiness of God, but also understood the condition, the vulnerability of man
we so need to learn how to STAND… in and for the Faith without throwing stones
Amen. Sometimes we can love people and try to show it through words of encouragement, yet it gets misunderstood. What is meant as a word of comfort, instead comes off as a slap in the face.
I’m learning that there are times where the kind thing is to back away and love from a distance, and continuing to pray.
I don’t think there is any “pat” answer other then the loving desire for God’s best in their life…how that is played out…..God help us and direct us.
Nonnie,
I’ve learned to wait until I’m asked…I have had a few of those misunderstandings as well.
I try to stay close enough to help if needed and far enough away to avoid getting mashed. 🙂
“What would Jesus do?
We know what He won’t do.
Break or snuff.
I’m with Him.
I have to be…I’m a bit bent and flickering myself.”
Most quotable! I will grab this and pass it on (with attribution, of course)
http://41.media.tumblr.com/25dd6a6b53fde810cd50e43e059c22d7/tumblr_npsllnIsyD1sh491mo1_1280.jpg
G… that cartoon is priceless…
I’ve become a collector 😉
theres a fine line betwwen graciousness and enabling
London,
True…and I don’t always know where that line is.
Ask T’s mom… 🙂
At the end of the day, I’m responsible for my actions and my attitudes…which I hope are growing more gracious.
when in doubt, graciously enable, then let God sort it out
#8 – exactly right … good post for thought today and good comments all IMHO
G’s cartoon has me thinking… when i was a child, i was told that finger pointing was impolite – even to give directions (geographical ones) 🙂
my late father-in-law used to point with his middle finger the way everyone else points with their index. My wife pointed that out to me once privately, now it’s under the heading “can’t unsee”
Michael,
Good post. Thanks for highlighting a much-ignored verse on the internet and in real life. So many people are quick to throw everyone under the bus who is not spiritually perfect. Thanks for the reminder!
A good word, Michael….thanks!