Exhortation

Where is the balance in a fervent attempt to compel people to completely turn from the corruption of sin and the compassion to do it in a way that they will respond with open and willing hearts? This has been an all too familiar struggle in my life and unfortunately one that has flared disruption and even contempt from some of those I have been responsible for raising up in the truth. A zealous and fervent spirit can quickly offend to the point of hurt or anger and it is not the desire of our Father for us to bring about this emotion in people. In fact, this situation can very possibly do more damage than good. Raising an awareness of the effects of sin in our lives is essential to a life devoted to abiding with and becoming more like Christ (Phil.2:5-11). As teachers and leaders it is vital that we invoke this searching of the heart in a compassionate form that exemplifies the heart of Jesus in our own lives. It is better neither to ignore the effects of sin nor to highlight them to the point of damage, for neither the former nor the latter will result in a deeper relationship with the Lord for the man/woman we are guiding. We must allow ourselves to burn with fervency for the changing of hearts and lives while harnessing that passion into compassion and love to see that person overtaken by the truth of the freedom that comes from a “full life” (John 10:10b) in Christ. The fervency and zealous passion that we feel towards the need to turn and run from sin needs to be harnessed into prayer; our emotions can overflow before the Lord as we break for the state of those we know and even those we do not know. Righteous anger will pour out of our mouths and as the tears begin to flow, we must release these emotions before the Lord that He may receive the brokenness that we feel for those in our path. Most importantly, the anger we feel must not be revealed to those we are broken for unless the Lord opens that door. Love draws people to the Lord and anger, even righteous anger, can easily be perceived as judgment. Although we are not responsible for the perceived emotion that others feel, we are responsible for acting in a way that glorifies the Father who sent us and who empowers us. We have no right to address any issues except by the authority that has been given us through Jesus Christ. Although you may see the truth of a situation, you may not be the one chosen to communicate that truth. Beware of your own ambition! And do not think of yourself so highly that you forget whom it is that you serve.