Under Construction

Getting it all wrong

Praise God for His long-suffering, His Grace, His Mercy…I get it all wrong so many times and yet he loves me, patient with me. I remember a story when I was at a staff party, was in my beginning years at the Regional office....I tried to cut the line....and all I heard some people say...”you should know better”. If I had a rand for everytime someone said to me…you should know better…I would be a rich man. I look at this first three verse, and what comes to ind is....”YOU GUYS SHOULD KNOW BETTER”. You see it speaks about the APOSTLES and THE BROTHERS having a problem with HOW GOD IS WORKING? The same Apostles who were filled with Spirit, who saw Jesus in action for 3 years sitting with people who is not accepted by society, who sat with prositutes and tax-collectors....did these guys not see what Jesus did and here they have a problem. I find myself judging these apostles by the words…THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOW BETTER. I think of the prodigal son story....getting it all wrong!

Not only are not seeing God at work but they are judging Peter…their own brother, with what he did? At the same time, they are judging the Gentiles. Now, the Jewish men had a huge problem with Gentiles....prayers, outer court....but spirit filled men? leads me to some thoughts:

NO one is perfect...

I look at these guys and think, they have it made. 3 years Jesus Degree, initial and entirely sanctified, a quick 40 days crash course with Jesus, does a few miracles, amazing translators, amazing church planters, amazing public speakers....they’ve got it made. We can do that to people and place the on a pedestal and expect perfection. But, even spirit-filled, long-serving peope, get it wrong....Paul says these words in : “ 17–20  But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

17–20  But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

Peterson, E.H., 2005. The Message: the Bible in contemporary language, Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress. We are under construction. It sets us free from thinking that church is for perfect people and I can only belong when I am good enough because there are so many perfect people in the church....I like the phrase progressive revelation....God does not reveal everything at once to us....we see this with Paul....when he writes in the beginning…he is rough around the edges....we see how later he has progressed to someone more mature, more refined. We are at times impatient with ourselves and at times impatient with one another but listen to this: says:

9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

says:

4 Or do you presume on hthe riches of his kindness and iforbearance and jpatience, knot knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? The forbearance means: forbearance n. — a good-natured tolerance that delays enforcing rights or claims or privileges.Anon, 2016. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version, Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

h ch. 9:23; 10:12

forbearance n. — a good-natured tolerance that delays enforcing rights or claims or privileges.Anon, 2016. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version, Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

i ch. 3:25

God is tolerant toward us even when we get it wrong when we are supposed to KNOW BETTER! But it means we need to do the same.

In this last week I found myself on the judgement seat AGAIN! I was watching this video of a man in Richardsbay at a school GRANT LEE. I am not sure how many saw this video? I can show it if need be)....he spoke about love and judgement in the same breathe....judging the teachers, judging the children who did this? I have to say that I did not agree with him one bit....I see it as the fact that we are broken people who needs Gods love, I see it as children communicating theri frustration with society and religion....it is probably things like this that gets churches up in arms and doing something!

j ch. 9:22; []

but God reminded me....judge not. This man is supposed to know better God....JUDGE NOT. Why does he showcase Christianity in this fashion…JUDGE NOT....

k ; , ;

You see, one thing we cannot miss in this passage....GOD IS AT WORK! Listen to this: : “If then God gave to them the same Gift [equally] as He gave to us when we believed in (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on) the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I and what power or authority had I to interfere or hinder or forbid or withstand God?

Anon, 2016. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version, Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

If then God gave to them the same Gift [equally] as He gave to us when we believed in (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on) the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I and what power or authority had I to interfere or hinder or forbid or withstand God?

Anon, 1987. The Amplified Bible, La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.