Get Uncomfortable

 

Get Uncomfortable

Revelation 2: “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:

 

“This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands. ² I know what you have done; I know how hard you have worked and how patient you have been. I know that you cannot tolerate evil people and that you have tested those who say they are apostles but are not, and have found out that they are liars. ³ You are patient, you have suffered for my sake, and you have not given up. ⁴ But this is what I have against you: you do not love me now as you did at first. ⁵ Think how far you have fallen! Turn from your sins and do what you did at first. If you don't turn from your sins, I will come to you and take your lampstand from its place. ⁶ But this is what you have in your favor: you hate what the Nicolaitans do, as much as I do.

 

⁷ “If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!

“To those who win the victory I will give the right to eat the fruit of the tree of life that grows in the Garden of God.

 

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Trying out lying on purpose felt strange and scary. My first attempt did not work too well as the recipient could see right through my deceit. I made some adjustments and tried it again. But it still did not work. “You have to believe in what you are telling others” was the advice of a schemer, so I lied to myself. That worked!

 

• I was falling and did not know how fast.
• I did not know I was walking away from GOD by trying to fit into the world.
• I needed someone to tell me to get back on track to a better path.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, wrote to the church of Ephesus first. This is part one of a seven part set of deep warnings all believers need to hear. JESUS said what HE saw in the heart. HE saw people who tried to compartmentalize HIM by doing what is right most of the time, but got comfortable with blatant sin.

 

My Observations:

• JESUS wants me to remember when I first accepted HIM as my Savior.
• JESUS also wants me to remember how easy it was to follow HIS commands.
• JESUS want me to get uncomfortable with any sin that has crept into my life.

 

“GOD won’t mind” is a lie I have told myself over the years. I mean, HE is supposed to forgive believers right? Meh. JESUS HIMSELF gives us a warning about becoming too comfortable with sin, even though HE is the one who will forgive us of all sin.

 

HE knows the power sin can have in our lives and the devastation it can cause. Something that may seem like an innocent sin may be bigger that I think. I believe JESUS wants me to take HIS death and resurrection seriously.

 

Challenge

• Is there any part of this warning from the writer that can be unsettling?
• Have you examined your life and compared it to when you were on fire?
• Will you win the victory so JESUS will give you the right to eat the fruit of the tree of life that grows in the Garden of GOD someday?

Ooo I’m Telling!

Matthew 18: ¹⁵ “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. ¹⁶ But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ ¹⁷ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

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“This guy has to go” I thought to myself. In the meeting I allowed him to make mistakes on his facts. I knew he would snoop around my desk, so I laid a trap with false information. It took time to develop the fake report but it was worth it!

• I have been a coward when it came to confrontation.
• I have been selfish when it came to dealing with someone I did not like.
• I have been foolish when it came to helping instead of hurting.

Telling my peers how wrong this guy was became a pastime. I wonder how many hours I spent trying to get rid of this person or wasting my breath talking about him. Not once did I approach him.

• GOD wants me to be brave enough to confront “that” person in love.
• GOD wants me to bring witnesses; otherwise my wicked heart may bring up slander.
• GOD wants me to seek restoration versus demise and destruction.

I do not have to be a pushover if someone has wronged me. I should confront them, seeking restoration. If they refuse to listen then I should escalate the issue to those who also seek restoration.

Seeking demise and destruction hurts “that” person, myself and more. Nothing good comes from slander. GOD wants me to seek restoration so HIS work can be done.

• Are you speaking negatively about someone behind their back?
• Are you waiting for their next mistake so you can talk bad about them?
• Will you stop desiring their demise before GOD brings that same demise on you?
• Will you have the faith that GOD will deal with that person in HIS way and HIS time?