It may be today that grace is manifested in all its glory--when truth is more than another's opinion of reality. It may be today that we see pride swallowed, and grace truly abound. It may be today we read truth instead of embellished fiction. I do not know. I can only hope.
Sometimes I so long for Christ to come, my soul burns. My heart reels, my stomach churns. I so yearn to hear the trumpet sound, the Eastern sky to part and see my Savior's face--to greet Him and see man perfected--flawless, pure and holy--without guile, deceit, and self-centered ambition.
I am not alone. Paul wrote, "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." Romans 8:22
I sometimes grow weary. I really do. I groan so deeply I cannot pray when I see some things Christians write about other Christians. I am comforted to know that the Lord Himself bears witness with my spirit and cries out to the Holy, Holy, Holy for me. For my heart breaks that some people show so little regard for fellow Christian brothers, they write falsehoods and call them truth. I know I am not alone. I have brothers and sisters who join in heart and mind, who seek a more fruit-filled spirit manifested in the lives of the Body--the Bride of Christ. Peace. Love. Forgiveness. Tolerance. Patience. Kindness. Humility. Joy.
Where is the fruit in our words, our actions, our deeds?
Where is the ministry of reconciliation? Hidden behind words of retaliation?
I'm not so naive that I think Christians will all agree on every iota of every issue. But our words mean things. And some words are just plain mean. They're hateful. They are unholy, unkind, and unworthy of the blood shed to forgive us of our sin. If this is the kind of witness we are to the lost in the world, it's no wonder our efforts are fruitless, our baptismals are dry.
I've been praying quite a while for another spiritual awakening. How, pray tell can this occur when God's people find nothing but fault to lay at one another's door? Can we not look at our own hearts and see the evil within and praise God for the attoning grace we have in Christ? Can we not smell the stench our unholy attitudes and careless words offers up to the nostrils of our Lord? What kind of sacrifice is this? Where is truth?
Oh, Lord, forgive us. May we all bow down and confess and repent and seek Your face. May we weep for the souls of men and the growth of each brother and sister. We cannot know. It may be today You come to take us home. May we be found faithful in Your sight, true to our calling, and abiding in You. selahV
