Hello. And yet there are so many calls to certain standards of behavior, yes, even in the New Testament.
Recently, I talked on the phone with an old friend who I used to spend a lot of time with practicing and seeking spiritual insight, growth, enlightenment, etc. via many new age methods. I shared with her my conviction that Jesus is the only true way, and that everything else is counterfeit. Later, she followed up that my testimony was wrought with arrogance and judgment, and in essence, discounted her life path. She felt offended and hurt. Knowing that my natural tendency is to want to be right, even boast in my "rightness," and that love and grace are weaknesses and can only be activated through Jesus in my life, I hit my Bible over it. It is so true that Jesus is a rock to trip over. Here I was encouraging her to read the gospel of John for once, and so I set out to read it again, too. Amazing how different was the experience than I expected!! I actually really stumbled over all the Pharisee and Leaders' accusations towards Jesus... they sounded just like my (inner) accusations towards many new agey lives I have known, who practice love for God and neighbor, healing arts, etc., only minus Jesus as Lord. Honestly, I DO believe there is world-wide deception as to the spiritual realm, spiritual warfare and the truth and total victory of Jesus. And yet... I saw instead my own stinking pride in that encounter with Jesus. Anything BUT my own righteousness. To my surprise, and even to my horror, I actually saw this old friend in the person of Jesus. Much more so than myself.
And so, I had something of sincerity to bring back from that encounter with Jesus. A repentance even of spiritual pride. And yet... it lurks. Because I do still believe that my friend is seeking knowledge from the wrong source. I want to be firm in my faith, no compromising, and yet pliable to what I need to be transformed by God's renewing of my mind. I have a drive in me that is warrior-like. Am I called to tear down strongholds or am I called to love unconditionally, with grace??
Recently, I talked on the phone with an old friend who I used to spend a lot of time with practicing and seeking spiritual insight, growth, enlightenment, etc. via many new age methods. I shared with her my conviction that Jesus is the only true way, and that everything else is counterfeit. Later, she followed up that my testimony was wrought with arrogance and judgment, and in essence, discounted her life path. She felt offended and hurt. Knowing that my natural tendency is to want to be right, even boast in my "rightness," and that love and grace are weaknesses and can only be activated through Jesus in my life, I hit my Bible over it. It is so true that Jesus is a rock to trip over. Here I was encouraging her to read the gospel of John for once, and so I set out to read it again, too. Amazing how different was the experience than I expected!! I actually really stumbled over all the Pharisee and Leaders' accusations towards Jesus... they sounded just like my (inner) accusations towards many new agey lives I have known, who practice love for God and neighbor, healing arts, etc., only minus Jesus as Lord. Honestly, I DO believe there is world-wide deception as to the spiritual realm, spiritual warfare and the truth and total victory of Jesus. And yet... I saw instead my own stinking pride in that encounter with Jesus. Anything BUT my own righteousness. To my surprise, and even to my horror, I actually saw this old friend in the person of Jesus. Much more so than myself.
And so, I had something of sincerity to bring back from that encounter with Jesus. A repentance even of spiritual pride. And yet... it lurks. Because I do still believe that my friend is seeking knowledge from the wrong source. I want to be firm in my faith, no compromising, and yet pliable to what I need to be transformed by God's renewing of my mind. I have a drive in me that is warrior-like. Am I called to tear down strongholds or am I called to love unconditionally, with grace??
