Jesus made this rather straightforward statement in reference to one of the lowest in that culture. Despite that, many church people often have a tendency to implement a seek and destroy mentality towards the undesirable, just as the world does. While we can’t be that surprised that the world submits to the sinful nature of the flesh this way. We should be aghast when Christians make the same rationalizations.
“Anyone who is among the living has hope—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!” - Ecclesiastes 9:4
Once it’s over, there are no further chances to repent. So who are we to take that from anyone? To act otherwise just tells me that many believers are more concerned with their comfort in this world than the treasures in heaven that await us. (Matt 6:19-21)
“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are Spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”-Galatians 6:1-2
Tempted to what? It doesn’t specify, but what are our default reactions? Impatience, unkindness, rudeness, criticism, condemnation. Everything but help people with their burdens until they are strong enough to stand on their own.
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” -Romans 12:19
Do we truly have faith that God is in control? Or are we just trying to play God when we show contempt for the lost? All because we are too eager to see people experience punishment.
“Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.” -Proverbs 24:17-18
Again, we shouldn’t be too surprised when the world does this. They care not for God’s approval after all. However, we should guard our hearts when they reveal what they truly have stored within them. Recent events have proven that it only stirs up more anger and animosity. (Proverbs 4:23, Luke 6:43-45, James 1:20)
“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”-Matthew 7:2
Are you judging with grace, mercy, and understanding, or just malice, wrath, and disgust? Whatever measure we use, it’s destined to come back on us. Is that a good thing?
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” -Romans 12:14
Imagine if we really did this. Took the time to pray for those who want our destruction. Doing so without assumption, judgment, or trying to control the outcome. Treating our own blessing as secondary in a truly Christ-like way.
Let’s face it, the church has been fast and loose with a lot of these verses. This has only enabled the world to play the victim, making it hard to correct anybody anymore. Perhaps it's time to back off and allow room for God to move on this one. Until the world suffers the consequences of its own actions, rather than just our vicious tongues. They are never going to have reason to reconsider their choices until it’s the choice itself that bites. Then it will be our time to offer a hand up, rather than a condemning lecture. Which only inspires a flame of seek and destroy to emerge in their heart.
“Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.” -Proverbs 9:7-8
Let me close by asking you this. When did Jesus win over anyone by reason alone? He frequently tried to reason with the Pharisees and teachers of the law. Yet it never yielded a thing. While he had to do that for the sake of future generations, he must have known their hearts were too hard to turn. Maybe that’s why he framed so much through parables and figures of speech. (Matt 13:34, John 10:6) It encourages people to look beyond their initial reactions and preconceived notions. It’s surely why he put so much effort into offering mercy and care to the lost instead. These are the people he reached. Still, modern teachers waste their time trying to reason with the unreasonable. Never stopping to consider that behind every unreasonable person is a broken and hurting person just wanting a little understanding.
The Visual PARABLEist
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| “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’” -Matthew 25:40 |
