Hope for Repair By Christ Jesus.

Grudging.  Dictionary definition- 'done or given reluctantly, or doing or giving something reluctantly.

Murmuring.  Dictionary definition- 'a complaint made in a discreet or secretive way.

Disputing. Dictionary definition- 'strive against something, disagree, argue about something, opposing something.

In the battle against Satan's wiles we truly need to recognize that he will use everything and anything he can against us. He will disguise the evil we commit as being justified in some manner. He will present excuses, reasons, theories as to why the evil shouldn't be evil at all but something we can't but help to do. We are after all- only human. Why then does the word of God hold us to a higher standard? Why are we allowed to comprehend the truth right before Satan immerses it in his lies to distort it so it is no longer recognizable as being truth, but a variation there on which we can mold to fit our evil tendencies. Isn't is much better to admit the truth plain and simple and recognize how we fall short of that truth? Shouldn't we choose to die daily to the sins that would so easily beset us every opportunity they get- rather than excuse the sins away so we don't have to feel the weight of our need to die to sin constantly? We live our lives with that hope of perfection and Satan uses that to shame us over and over. The only way Satan can use that hope to shame us to the point of despair is if we are living with the hope of perfecting OURSELVES. If we are living with the idea that we will achieve a day out of the refiner's fire. If we are looking for a life here without temptation, without the pulls towards sin. We will find shame every single time we try to find the hope in ourselves apart from our hope in Christ.

I have a problem with being grudging, with murmuring and disputing. I do, and by the grace of God it is being revealed to me over and over again. Right now I can't imagine going a single day without an internal grudging, or silent complaint, and even without disagreeing with even the smallest of things. We have things we call the bane of our existence (a bit dramatic I know) but we do have those things and these are some of mine.  I'm admitting to this even though there is the possibility someone I know in person might read this (I've no clue who does or doesn't), and they'll know that while I may appear all nice and good, that's not always the case. I have what I'll call social anxiety and Satan would have me use this as an excuse for a lot of my grudging, murmuring etc. However, I know that I grudge, murmur and dispute even out of anxiety producing situations. I need the touch of the Savior on my heart to rid me of these things. I need to constantly seek forgiveness for my recognized failure to be what I know I should be. I need to keep my HOPE for repair in Christ.  Yes, I said hope for repair, because He is the One I need to fix in me and all the sin tendencies I have. By His grace He will fix what needs fixing and for what cannot be fixed in my own understanding, I need to trust He will complete what has been started in me. He is my HOPE, I'm not my own hope. He is my Redeemer, my Savior.  May my life belong wholly to HIM.

1Pe 4:9  Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 

2Co 9:7  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 

Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 

Php 2:14  Do all things without murmurings and disputings

Jas 5:9  Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. 

Intense Love Forgives

1Pe 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 

Pro 10:12  Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. 

Love, intense love. From the brief study I've done on this verse the word charity is love, not necessarily charity as in giving things to others. One study mentioned that some religions believe that if you do give money, time, etc to others you are in affect paying your way to forgiveness. You are paying for your sins to be taken away, but we all know that's not how it works at all! There is NOTHING we can to do take away our sins, all the money in the world would not pay for a single sin committed freeing the person from the penalty that sin warrants. ONLY the forgiveness that comes FREELY from the Son of God can take away our sins, from the least sin to the greatest. Truly, what awful kind of God would our God be if only the rich could be forgiven? If we could work our way to heaven if not with money but with acts of charity, are we still not relying upon ourselves to save ourselves?

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

Grace is a gift of God- no man can boast that they saved themselves through any action- money, working, none of it.

That brings us back to the verse above-

1Pe 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 

We are to have a fervent, or intense, love with those around us. Why? Because that intense love will cover - NOT do away with - a multitude of sins.

If we are intensely focused on the sins of those around us are we loving them?

I've often wondered how various people can love other people who seem cruel and bitter, unkind and nasty and I've often wondered how people can love me with all my many faults. The saying love is blind means what? That love turns a blind eye to a lot of faults. Some might question how another person can live with someone who seems awful to them, and the only answer that appeases the curiosity is that love is blind. The person is choosing to be blind to the faults because they choose to love rather than despise.

Intense love of a parent towards a child will often be the same way. They choose to love their child and overlook their faults. They choose to focus on the good in their child, not the bad.

To those outside looking in we say we are shocked and we may possibly even say stuff like we'd never love someone like that, and we don't know how another can, and yet we do the same thing with those we choose to love, don't we?

People are not really blind to the faults of others, they are forgiving of those faults and yes, often to their own detriment. That detriment is what others who are choosing not to love and forgive the faults of that person will focus on. They won't be able to comprehend how that person puts up with what they believe are unforgiveable ways, they surely wouldn't do so if the shoe were on the other foot, and that is because they are choosing not to love the person in question. Their love is conditional. However, it is very interesting to note that often what we say we could never endure in another person, ends up being what we choose to endure after all. Why? Because you choose to love when the sins come from those you give your love to.

Intense love will love in spite of the sins apparent in others.

Jesus' intense love for us, for humanity had Him sacrifice Himself in order for us to find forgiveness for our sins. His blood washes us clean of sin. God is love.

We are to intensely choose to love with the love of God- forgiving endlessly the sins of those around us, for we too need the same forgiveness from others for ours.

I have to remark here though- that anyone in an abusive, life threatening situation should not believe they have to remain in the situation in order to forgive their abuser. You should not remain in a potentially deadly situation, but your choosing to love intensely can be done from a place of safety, out of harm's way.

1Pe 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 

Love forgives. Love chooses to forgive. Intense love for others, the intense desire for the love of God to be all hearts is what we need. The love that forgives, covering a multitude of sins.

God help us all to love fervently!

All through Jesus Christ our Lord, our Savior!

I Need A Renewed Heart.

1Co 10:24  Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. 

Uhm, this isn't what we are taught growing up, is it? We are taught it's a dog eat dog world, and every man needs to fend for himself, that people will have to step on other people as they climb to the top of the ladder- which by the way is where everyone is trying to be. This is a do crazy stuff just to be wealthy. This is a sin until the cows come home as long as you are bringing in the bucks. This is a sacrifice all your principals because it is the way of the world. This is a change your stance on morality in every single way you can just so you don't get kicked out of your money-making job. As we line up some of the world's idols let's note quickly- movie stars, singers of all genres, athletes-  these are all at the top of the world's idols list.  Ask a child who they like the most and more than likely you'll get someone from the above short list (outside of perhaps a mom, dad, grams, gramps, sibling- which some kids do choose). I have a pre-k work folder (I'm 56 years old now) in my Baby/Child Memory Box and one of the questions on a worksheet was along the lines of who you admire most and I think I chose Judy - from Lost In Space ( a televison show).  I was in PRE-K guys, that means pre-5 years old! That was 52 years ago if I was 4!  It seems almost all of us have this inner desire to be famous, barring that, to be rich by some means- even if it is just through winning the lottery (most of us have a better chance at stardom than winning the lottery (the big one that is).

Years ago being a millionaire was a guarantee you're set for life situation- it isn't that way any longer. The bar has been raised because the cost of living has raised and so on and so forth. Not that I'm knocking a million dollars by a long shot. The point being with all this- we seldom seek the wealth of ANOTHER over our own wealth.

That Bible verse isn't advocating taking (stealing) another's wealth by the way, I know some people love to twist words and play games with meanings.

1Co 10:24  Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.

We are not to seek wealth for ourselves, especially above another's wealth- IT IS NOT A DOG EAT DOG WORLD, or rather, it is not supposed to be.  The way it is supposed to be is we are supposed to seek OTHERS welfare OVER our own, before we take care of ourselves. It's the oddest thing isn't it? To believe that is true. When we mostly take care of ourselves and those that we consider belong in our special circle of family and friends.

Others before ourselves.

I struggle with this on an unbelievable personal level which only reveals the depths of my depravity and my unending need for repentance, forgiveness and renewal through the Holy Spirit. Some people have a spirit of charity that is overwhelming and amazing to witness, while others don't come by that spirit of charity naturally and the claws of the world's fend for yourself at all costs sink deep into the hearts of others. I don't want these claws in me! I want to be charitable and NOT because others make it easy to be charitable, it shouldn't matter whether another is making it easy to be nice! If I am a Christ follower I need to learn to TURN THE OTHER CHEEK and allow it to be slapped without resentment.  What good is turning the other cheek at all if it is done with bitterness and not compassion for the cheek slapper?  If all good is done begrudgingly is it good? I need this STONEY heart taken out of me and I need it replaced with a heart of flesh- of compassion, of love, of the love of GOD because my love is tainted bitterly with selfishness, with self-serving, with seeking my own. God help me!