Are you wasting time?
Is it possible that goofy stuff is taking your time and that makes you unable to Love?
Do the things that are near light take your time and leave you too exhausted to Love?
There were many times when Jesus withdrew from the people and I believe He did so to get His strength back and to refocus Himself.
Does that make Him weak or wise?
There were many times when Jesus just said something to the “teachers of the law” and the other religious people around Him and then moved on and never really seemed to care what they thought. Why is that?
One lesson I am learning now is how and when to withdraw from a foolish discussion or from a stupid idea. Does that make me closed minded or foolish?
I am always open to hearing things that promote Love and ideas that will make a more loving environment in a person’s heart or here on earth. But this is one of the key reasons why we are no longer under the law- It waste time that needs to be spent on “Loving One Another.” This is why Jesus never told anyone to go and make converts.
Please read Titus 3:9
“But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law because they are unprofitable and useless.”
Did God create the earth in 7 days? Did the children of Israel really cross the Red Sea or the Reed Sea? Did Jesus wear underwear? Where did God come from?
To all these I say I don’t know but even more I say I don’t care. If all these questions could be answered and 10000 more it wouldn’t matter a bit to the person who is hurting.
Love is all that matters and again I say God is Love everything else is wasted time, space and energy.
Brother,
In love I will tell you that I think you missed the mark here. Jesus always met people where they were. The woman at the well had some responses that were less than worthy of continuing a conversation. But, Jesus met her where she was and drew her along a path to the water that quenches.
While we were yet sinners Christ died for us. If people don’t say the right things, or believe as I do, I still love them for who they are, where they are and the love that the Father has for them.
I am not superior to anyone. That is not love. My doctrine is better than your doctrine. (Sounds like 5 year olds, doesn’t it?) That is not love.
I talk daily with some Muslim brothers whose religion is entirely works oriented. But, they are very loving. If you don’t say the “right” words, but are very loving, what am I to say? God is not at work in their lives? Of course He is!
We can talk about Love and Grace. You know it when you see it. In the meantime humble yourself to meet those around you where they are and love them there. That is love and Grace.
Brother,
I think you missed the point of what I was saying with that Bible study.
The point is Nothing matters but Love- from what you wrote you make it sound like I was saying something very different.
Talk of geneologies and law and whats right and wrong only goes to seperate us. Maybe my message wasnt clear but Grace
is not about trying to convert anyone, prove myself or my way- its All about Love. If you got anything else out of that
Bible study I would like to see how.
“How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[25]) 10Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift (the Love) of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” 11“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”
Here is the example you site and let me share how I believe Christ focused on Love. Notice the words in parenthesis- Christ was saying race, clan, tribe or geneology none of that matters- only us sharing Love.
13″Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water (the Love) I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Again if a persons focus is on just the earthly water- they will always thirst. If our focus is on all the side stuff that really doesnt matter instead of His eternal Love- we will always be thirsty.
I could go on but my point is nothing else mattered to Christ except sharing Love. Law didnt make Christ perfect- His great Love for us did. This is where my journey has taken me so far- who knows what I will learn next but for now I see Love as His one reaffirming and constant focus that we need to grow in- Not our knowledge of laws and trying to figure out how many angels can dance oin the head of a pin.
I am always open to hearing things that promote Love and ideas that will make a more loving environment in a person’s heart or here on earth. But this is one of the key reasons why we are no longer under the law- It waste time that needs to be spent on “Loving One Another.” This is why Jesus never told anyone to go and make converts.
In other words: I am always open to hearing things from people who agree with me, but those who don’t I dismiss and ignore.
LOL- if that is what you think I am saying oh well.
What I am really saying is rather simple. There isnt anything worth talking about or debating or figuring out if it doesnt promote Love.
Sounds like you are limping me into some kind of dogmatic asshole column of people who just want like minded people around them and that is not at all what I am about- if you cant see that from my life and what I write, like I said- oh well. I welcome all, talk to all and enjoy fellowship with all no one on this planet I hope thinks exactly like me. All I hope, pray for and meditate on is a world where we Love One Another as He first Loved us.
Thank you for your contribution.
First – I loved your article. It is about Love and Grace. We can argue over every verse within the Bible, and the meaning of every parable. But in the end, it comes down to love. Last night I had a bit of a breakdown (again)… and I guarantee, those who were trying to discuss specific Bible topics with me, didn’t help. Those who argued with me over things I said in regards to Christianity – didn’t help. The one who gave me that gentle reminder of God’s love, and his own love and concern for me… that helped.
Now then… I hope you don’t mind, but I would like to say something in regards to one of the comments on here…
“In other words: I am always open to hearing things from people who agree with me, but those who don’t I dismiss and ignore.”…. before you make such blanket statements about someone, get to know them please. Read more posts on begracefull.com. Just because he doesn’t feel like arguing over the unimportant things, does not mean he is only looking for someone to agree with him. It means he, like so very few others, understands that God’s message is LOVE each other, and that God LOVES us and through that love, we are saved. What more is needed?
Thank you sister!
It was great to hear from you. I am glad that His Love light was what brought you through your experience – its all too easy to find comfort in something else.
I agree that is a blanket statement and I do that when it comes to the law and legalist. Is it always right – no it isnt. Perhaps this is one area that God is working on me and perhaps like others before us Paul and even Jesus – He is saying disucussions and arguments on the law are NOT from God they do nothing productive but cause condemnation and guilt. Either way it is a growth point for me and I appreciate you sharing this important point.
Thank you for sharing and know that His Grace is sufficient for me, you and all who will recieve it! I appreciate you sister and your words of wisdom have been a repeated and continual blessing to me and so many!