Humility: The Crown of Life

Life is interesting, isn't it? As soon as you think you've got one thing nailed down, the peg on the opposite corner of your tent goes flying! Keeps us humble, which is a pretty good thing, in my estimation. It makes me want to belly-laugh when I think of how my fading earthly frame gets all puffed up with pride at the LEAST accomplishment, of how I look down on others when they struggle with one of the few things I'm on top of (at the moment). God must shake his head a lot when I am doing these things!

There are lots of moral issues in the news these days. I have Bible-based opinions on many of them. However, I do not have PUBLIC opinions on several of them. I just don't. That's not fear, that's me being a private person with, well, PRIVACY RIGHTS. My take on morality is the following: if someone is in error, and they are a sincere follower of Jesus Christ and they either A) ask my opinion or B) are somehow under my spiritual authority (think my children only or maybe ants on the sidewalk at this point), I will tell them, but in a loving and very respectful manner, making it clear to them that I love them exactly as they are and that I respect their feelings. The Bible tells me that without love, all of my spiritual gifts are a gonging in the wind. No fruit! Furthermore, I am not going to convince anyone of anything. That's the Holy Spirit's job.

I also believe that some issues should not be discussed with people who do not know me and know my heart. I sincerely desire (though frequently fail) to love other people wholly and fully and to treat them with kindness and respect. All of the yammering in this blog post is leading to what I truly believe is the one thing that all Christians should be about: leading others to a saving, redeeming, life-transforming, healing relationship with Jesus Christ. Once they have taken that step, we should lead those who the Holy Spirit guides to us, to discipleship. This means that we help them get into the Word of God, explain things that they ask us about, pray with them, encourage them, and do whatever else the Lord leads us to help them grow. All of the moral issues that cause such an horrendous uproar in this society that is spiraling downward at warp speed will be addressed in each person who has given themselves to Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will address those things as each believer seeks Him earnestly.  He will use us in their lives, but we must tread with caution, checking His spirit for confirmation along the way. I believe we get the cart before the horse every day. We expect unbelievers to embrace God's truth. Without the Holy Spirit, they just cannot grasp it, let alone feel the conviction of it. It's Greek to them! We MUST love them unconditionally. 

There are times when you will see me step up to the plate and throw myself wholeheartedly into a moral cause. Any issue involving the protection of the defenseless (the unborn, the elderly, children, widows) and any issue involving the government's usurpation of basic freedoms would be a cause worth shouting about, in my estimation! When the government suppresses a people's right to free speech, control over their own finances, the right to bear arms and a whole host of freedoms that are currently under attack, I may just speak out on social media. I don't mind offending in those cases. I hope, however, that my statements are not attack-oriented or hateful, because in that case, I've lost sight of my purpose on Earth, which is to bring glory to my savior Jesus Christ.