Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
Why does life have to be so complicated?
Wouldn't it be better if there were only one clear choice-
Only One Right thing to do in every situation?
Easier, Yes-
Better-
I don't know.
What about the choice between Love and Truth-
Now there's a tough one!
You know what I mean don't you?
Think of the classic question of every wife to her husband-
"Honey, tell me-
Do these pants make me look fat?"
Careful fellas!
Now think of the times when friends or family go wrong-
Seriously wrong-
Confrontation or Tolerance?
Preserve Relationship or Stand for Holiness?
Tough huh?
It's so easy to take a stand for Holiness in the abstract-
Or if I am talking about some distant relationship-
Or when I am talking about someone else-
But what about when standing for Holiness-
Will jeapodize a close relationship-
Or bring on some persecution?
Is there a way to do both?
Can we stand for Truth- Holiness-
Yet still preserve relationship?
Can we have our cake and eat it too?
Maybe yes- Maybe no.
(How do you like that for decisiveness?)
Remember-
Relationship is always a two party undertaking.
I can not control another person's responses-
Oh maybe I can try to manipulate to get what I want-
But the other person will do what they will do.
I wish I could tell you I have it all figured out-
I wish I could come up with a magic formula to live by-
One that always makes everything come out right-
And not only come out right-
But with no conflict in the process.
I haven't found it.
I do have some ideas-
Some Maybes.
Maybe I can try to speak Truth-
In Love
Maybe I can Love my enemies-
That is-
Treat them kindly-
Be patient with them-
Keep no record of wrongs-
Bless them-
Pray for them-
Be Humble towards them-
Maybe, because Jesus is in me I can treat those-
Those who trample God's Holiness-
As He has treated me-
As I trample His Holiness-
Maybe I can live out the Holiness of God-
By pouring out His Grace-
Even when I don't feel particularly Loving.
So what's it gonna be?
Hold to Truth-
People be damned
or
Cling to relationships-
While compromising Truth?
Choices, Choices, Choices-
Oh, but wait a minute..........
What if Loving God by Loving people-
Is Truth-
And Conversely-
Loving People by Loving God-
Is also Truth.
Please make no mistake in all this-
My First and Last Loyalty is to God-
To my Lord and Saviour Jesus-
And the Holy Spirit Who has come to lead us.
I am just coming to believe more and more-
That Loyalty to Him-
To the One and Only Triune God-
Looks like loving people-
Matthew 5:44-45 Jesus said,
" Love your enemies-
Pray for them-
That you may be sons of your Father in Heaven.
He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good-
He sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."
Father, Lord Jesus, Spirit of the Living God-
Be powerful in us today to choose You-
To look to You in all we think, say and do-
So that all may see Your Glory-
Your Great Love and Your Goodness
As You pour Yourself out through our lives-
The lives of those who Love You.
Amen
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