People
often say when they are confronted with their sin, "Who made you
judge?" "You are not my judge!" "You do not
hold the keys to heaven and hell." "God did not send you to
tell me that!" "Who are you to tell me what I did wrong?
What about you?" "Who died and left you boss?"
"If God wanted me to stop doing that He would tell me
Himself." "God loves me just the way I am." All
kinds of things we hear. And it's all foolishness. Foolish
speaking. Excuses as to why they WON'T stop doing what it is they know
they shouldn't. And very often they put it back on you and why you had to
tell them that. Making you out, of course, to be the bad guy.
Totally turning the tables and changing the subject. But get this,
and getting you off the course and out of the will of God.
But I
read in the book of Jonah where God was sending him to the people of Nineveh,
strictly to preach to the people because of their wickedness. Now Jonah
had some issues himself. He didn't think the people were deserving of grace.
Like some of us think sometimes. We don't think some people are
worthy of saving, in fact, I would go so far and say that sometimes we think
they can't be saved. (Not anyone reading this of course... hint, hint,
right?). But Jonah had his own issues, yet God STILL SENT him to the
people to tell them about their wickedness and their need to be saved.
Jonah did
not want to go, for whatever reason. He knew they were sinners and he knew God
wanted to save them. And God wanted Jonah to declare the Word to them, but
instead, Jonah ran. And the story continues with Jonah ending up in the
belly of a fish and repenting because of his decision to run.
Now I
have to say this, if God has told you to declare a Word to people, you better
go and do it. Regardless of how you feel about them, regardless of how
they will take it. Regardless of whether or not it is popular.
Speak the Word God has given you to tell that person, those people.
Go in boldness, knowing that you have the Spirit of the Lord upon you to
do so. Just go.
And if
you are the recipient of that Word, repent and do what God asks of you.
Don't blame the person for telling you so, the Truth about yourself.
Don't shoot the messenger, as they say. If you weren't doing what
you were doing in the first place, the Word would not have come to you.
Realize that it is the love and the mercy of God that has been sent to
you and receive God's messenger and live.
Either
way, it's all about receiving God's grace and especially if you are the messenger.
Understand that God has graced you to deliver the Word. Do it or
end up in the belly of a fish, humbled and gulping your way out.
God is
real.
A servant
of the Lord,
Sis. E
http://butgodisreal.blogspot.com
http://sis.e.home.comcast.net
http://www.ongoodground.org
