"Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us." But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side."
~ Luke 9:49-50 (NKJV)
For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist... He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him.
~ 2 John 1:7-10 (NKJV)
Whenever possible, I try to write these posts first thing in the morning, after time devoted to the Lord and before time devoted to life and family. Once five children are awake, the day will be peppered (hopefully lightly) with contentions over my time and whatever else they don't like to share.
Contentions most often arise over conflicting perceptions. "He hit me" vs. "I bumped into him." "He's supposed to" vs. "Mom said." The ever popular, "It's not fair." (Masculine pronouns include all five of my darlings.) I try to respond with principles like "treat others the way you want to be treated" and "is this important enough* to argue about?" and "please—love each other!"
Our Father surely grows weary with all the ways we His children complain about family members on our side. Conflicting perceptions distract us from the real enemy. We have real demons to cast out. The spirit of the antichrist roams the earth to deceive saints and unsaved alike.
Our strength against the enemy is in our unity in Christ.
Our Father in heaven, oh what manner of love You've poured out upon us that we should be called the children of God! Please help us see our blood ties in Christ in moments when we are offended. Please alert us to that for which we should contend. Unite Your children in strength.
* Often expressed as, "Do you really want me to get involved in this since you're more wrong than him?"
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
You really bless my heart daily, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this wonderful post. As human's we tend to come to blows with even our brothers and sisters in Christ. What a great reminder that we are on the same side.
ReplyDeleteWe really do act like children, don't we? No matter how old we happen to be.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, our Father's patience is much greater than ours.
If we would learn to contend with the things that truly matter, this world would be a much brighter place.
Great post, Anne!